If they had wished it, they could have nominated a Southern candidate who was at that moment far stronger than any other man in the Democratic party.

General Sam Houston had a personal history as romantic as that of an ancient crusader.

He was a native of Virginia, a representative in Congress from Tennessee, and Governor of that State before he was thirty-five.

He was the intimate and trusted friend of Jackson.

Having resigned his governorship on account of domestic trouble, he fled from civilized life, joined the Indians of the Western plains, roved with them for years, adopted their habits, and was made chief of a tribe.