I had no majority behind me in the Senate.

I doubt even the House now.

Of what use could I be to you ?" "At least, you could decline to do anything definite in this Texas matter." "Why should a man ever do anything _in_definite, Jim Polk ?" asked Calhoun, bending on him his frosty eyes.
"But you may set a fire going which you can not stop.

The people may get out of hand _before the convention!_" "Why should they not?
They have interests as well as we.

Do they not elect us to subserve those interests ?" "I yield to no man in my disinterested desire for the welfare of the American people," began Polk pompously, throwing back the hair from his forehead.
"Of course not," said Calhoun grimly.