[rustbucket]

Houston's position in the secession crisis is far more complex and far more anti-Lincoln than most people know or believe. Houston despised Lincoln and virtually everything he was doing but opposed secession not out of any love for the union but rather as a pragmatist seeking to avoid war. When war came later in 1861, Houston cast his lot with Texas and began to espouse defense of the state with the ultimate restoration of the lone star republic.

Agreed. From Sam Houston himself [Source: Philadelphia Public Ledger newspaper of May 31, 1861 quoting from the Houston Telegraph newspaper]:

Better meet war in its deadliest shape, than cringe before an enemy whose wrath we have provoked. I make no pretense as to myself. I have yielded up office and sought retirement to preserve peace among our people. My services, perhaps, are not important enough to be desired; others are, perhaps, more competent to lead the people through this revolution. I have been with them through the fiery ordeal once, and I know that with prudence and discipline their courage will surmount all obstacles. Should the locain [? can't read] of war, calling forth the people to resist the invader, reach the retirement to which I shall go, I will heed neither the denunciations of my enemies or the charms of my own fireside; but will join the ranks of my countrymen to defend Texas once again.

[Gianni]

My services, perhaps, are not important enough to be desired; others are, perhaps, more competent to lead the people through this revolution. (Houston)

Darn... There's that word again.