Horace Greely was age 37 at the time, born on February 3rd, 1811. He was an editor of the New York Tribune, one of America’s most influential newspapers between the 1840’s and 1870’s. As a politician, he was a founder of the Republican Party, and used the newspaper to promote the Whig and Republican parties, antislavery, and reform. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York’s 6th district between December 4th, 1848 and March 3rd, 1849. He was a presidential candidate in 1872 under the new Liberal Republican Party against the corruption of the Republican Party of Ulysses S. Grant. He lost the election, despite having additional support from the Democratic Party.

Samuel Houston was age 55 at the time, born on March 2nd, 1793. He was a statesman, politician, and soldier born in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He provided military service during the War of 1812, and served as the 7th Governor of Tennessee between 1827 and 1829. He was appointed commander of the Texas Army in 1835, which led to a victory over the Mexican Army at San Jacinto, despite being outnumbered 2 to 1. He served twice as the President of the independent Republic of Texas, advocating for the annexation of Texas to the Union in 1845. He became a Democratic U.S. Senator between 1846 and 1859 after Texas became the 28th state. He also served as the 7th Governor of Texas between 1859 and 1861. He is the only person in U.S. history to be governor of two different states. The city of Houston was named after him as well as a memorial museum, a U.S. Army base, a historical park, university, and the largest statue of an American figure. Eight years before Lincoln, Samuel Houston said “a nation divided against itself cannot stand.”

Horace Greeley and Samuel Houston visited Dover New Hampshire on March 11th, 1848 with an upcoming presidential election, both debating the issues at Dover Town Hall. The highlight topic was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that had been ratified by the Senate the day before, ending the three-year Mexican-American War. Senator Houston missed the vote in which he had sworn to oppose.

Below is an excerpt of the transcript of the visit:

Dr. Noah Martin – “Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you for coming to our grand, and crowded new Town Hall to hear two speakers who happened to be here by strange coincidence. Mr. Greely was in Boston and accepted an invitation from Dover’s Whig party, while General Houston was sent from Washington DC to enlighten us on the topics of war and slavery. Both gentlemen have agreed to share a common podium tonight in this forum. General Houston will speak first. Please welcome the US Senator from Texas, General Sam Houston.”

General Houston – “I come to New Hampshire not as a Texan, Tennessean, nor as a Washingtonian, but as an American. During past battles with Mexico, I fought alongside many brave men to defend Texas’ independence. I commanded the men who fought the 5000-strong army of General Santa Anna who had crossed the Rio Grande and was advancing towards San Antonio and Colonel Travis’ men at Alamo. When the Alamo fell, I had hoped to be joined by Colonel Fannin and his 500 troops at Goliad but he and his men were captured by Santa Anna and killed in cold blood. At San Jacinto we had revenge. We yelled, ‘Remember the Alamo’ and ‘Remember Goliad!’ We attacked the Mexican Army of Santa Anna and defeated them, capturing the General in the process and securing a victory for an independent Texas. Today Texas is part of our great, growing Nation, a Nation yearning to expand beyond Texas towards California and the Northwest Territories. Since the annexation of Texas in 1845, we have continued our Manifest Destiny, a United States of America that stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific. We have improved the moral environment in this once untamed land where lawlessness was the norm. Texas has contributed not only new lands for farms, businesses, and railroads, but also formidable leaders who will make this Country stronger and more productive for all…”

Dr. Noah Martin – “And now we are equally proud to introduce the esteemed editor of the New York Tribune and native of Amherst, New Hampshire, Mr. Horace Greeley.”

Horace Greely – “Citizens of Dover, Dr. Martin, Senator Houston, Thank you for inviting me back to New Hampshire. I left this state when I was 14 to be a printer’s apprentice in Vermont, but it was in New Hampshire where I learned to understand the importance of freedom. I have heard, like you, General Houston speak of his great escapades in Texas. I am well aware of the General’s victory at San Jacinto and his success against the army of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna in 1836. I applaud his heroism, but I do take great exception to many of the General’s words about our country’s direction and future. We can easily defeat the armies of Mexico, slaughter them by the thousands, and pursue them to their capital. We can conquer and annex their territory, but what then? Who believes that a score of victories over Mexico or the annexation of half of her provinces will give us more Liberty, a purer Morality, or a more prosperous Industry? When Texas first proposed their plan for annexation in August 1837, President Van Buren said no. The President reminded the Texas envoy General Hunt that the United States was at peace with Mexico and did not want to start a quarrel over Texas. But when the Republic of Texas began looking to Britain and France for trade agreements to export cotton and agricultural bounty, its annexation suddenly became a national priority. Our southern leaders saw this as an impediment to the extension of the slavery and, with the election of President Polk and his pro-expansion policies, Texas became a state two and a half years ago and the slave trade continues to thrive there.”

General Houston – “Mr. Greeley you do not speak the truth. Texas was accepted into this great country under compromise. Texas abides by the Missouri Compromise and the line that has been drawn between free and lave states.”

Horace Greeley – “General, let us talk only with facts. As you know, the Missouri Compromise allotted land north of the 36 degree 30’ parallel as free land. Texas never controlled, and did not at that moment possess a single acre north of that parallel, nor any even two hundred miles south of it. All the territory north of the line was in New Mexico, which has never been under the flag of Texas. This is therefore where we part ways. I am for a free America. A free land where there is no further extension of slavery and where a man is recognized for his work and not for his value as property.”

Judge Ezekiel Hurd – “But sirs, for whom shall I vote as President? Henry Clay? Zachary Taylor? Winfield Scott? Daniel Webster? Martin van Buren? Our own John Parker Hale?”

Horace Greeley – “The parties will nominate their respective candidates soon, but you should support no man for that office who is in favor of perpetuating and extending slavery!”

The debate in Dover Town Hall that night helped convince local voters to side with Greeley’s party.