What are the motifs in Sam Houston and the American Southwest by Randolph B. Campbell?

Slavery is a recurring idea in the book. Houston had a complicated and nuanced view on the "peculiar institution" of slavery. Houston owned several slaves himself and he recognized slavery as an important factor in the South's economy and a cultural tradition besides. A child of the South, Houston felt strongly connected to the region. Campbell describes Houston's relationship to Texas as akin to a father's relationship with his child. As a father, Houston defended his child, and that included defending slavery. And Houston, like the vast majority of Americans in his time, also felt that whites were superior to blacks and this racism no doubt helped to justify his views on slavery.