Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1861-05-16
Address from Gen. Harvey.
MILITARY DEPARTMENT OF THE WEST,
ST. LOUIS, MAY IA, 1861.

ST. LOUIS, May IA, 1861.
To the People Of The State Of Missouri:
On nv return 10 the duties of The command OF
this department, find, greatly to my astonisb-
ment and modification, most extraordinary state
of things existing in this State, deeply affecting
the stability of the Government OF the United
States, as well as We governmental and other in
terests of Missouri itself.
| As a citizen Of Missouri, owing allegiance 10
the United States, and having interests in common
with you, feel if my duty well as privilege,
10 extend warning voice to my fellow-citizens
against tie common dangers that threaten u.s. and
10 appeal ia your patriotism and sense of Justice
/ to exert all your moral power 10 avert them.
| II is with regret that feel it my DUTY 10 call
your attention to the recent act of the General
/ Assembly of Missouri, known as the Military
Bill, which is the result, no doubt of the temper
ary excitement that now pervades the public
mind This bill cannot be regarded in any other
light than an indirect Secession Ordinance, ignor.
ing even the forms resorted to by other States
] Manifestly its most material provisions are in
conflict with the Constitution and laws of the
United States. To this extent it is nulIity, and
cannot and ought not 10 be upheld or regarded by
the good citizens of Missouri. There are obi
cations and duties resting upon the people of
| Missouri under the Constitution and laws of the
| United States which are paramount, and which /
trust you will carefully consider and weigh we'll
| before you will allow yourselves to be carried
out of the Union, under the form of yielding ODE
dience to this Military Bill, which is clearly in
violation of your duties as citizens Of the United
States.
Unjust be apparent TO every one who has tax
on proper and unbiased view of the subject,
that whatever may be the termination of the un-
fortunate condition of things in respect to the so
called Cotton States" Missouri must share the
destiny of the Union. Her geographical position
her soi-productlons, and IN short, all her ma
ri.I ;pta c-s IN
shut our eyes against this controlling fact. 1t is
SEEM and It's force is felt throughout the nation
So important is this regarded 10 the great inter-
ests of the country, that venture 10 express the
opinion that the whole power of the Government
| of the United States, if necessary, will be exer-
ted TO maintain Missouri in her present position
/ in the Union. l express TO you in all frankness
and sincerity, my own deliberate convictions,
without assuming TO speak for the Government
of the United States, whose authority, here and
elsewhere, shall at all times, and under all cir
cumstances, endeavor faithfully ouphold.
desire above all things, most earnestly TO in
vite nv fellowcItizens dispasslonatey 10 consider
their true interest well their true relation TO
the Government under winch live, and TO
which We oI'e so much.
In This connection desire to direct attention 10
one subject, which will be made the pretext
fer more or less popular excitement. aliude TO
Z the recent transactions at Camp Jdc6son, near ST.
Louis 1t is not proper for me TO comment upon
the official conduct OF my predecessor IN command
of this Department, but ii is right and proper for
Z the people of Missouri 10 know that the main av-
enue of Camp Jackson, recently under command
of Gen. Frost, had the name of Darts, and a
principal street of the same camp that of Beaure-
gard; and that body of men had been received
into that camp by its commander; which had been
notoriouslt organized in the interest of the Seces-
sionists-ihe men openly wearing the dress and
badge dstinguishingihe army of the socalled South
er,l Confederacy. 1t is also notorious fact that
q quantity of arms had been received into the
camp which were unlawfully taken from the u
nited States arsenal at Baton Rouge, and surrept-
tiously passed up the river in boxes marked mar
bic.
Upon facts like these, and having in view what
occurred at Liberty, the people can draw their
own inference, snd it cannot be dIfhcult Tor
any one to arrive al correct conclusion as TO the
character and ultimate purpose of that encanp-
ment. No government in the world would be
entitled 10 respect that would tolerate for mo-
ment such openly reasonable preparations. :,
n Is but simple Justice, however, that should
state the fact that there were many good and 10y
al men in the camp, who were In no manner re-
spensible for its reasonable character.
Disclaiming, as do, all desire or intention 10
interfere with the perogatives OF the State
of Missouri, or with the functions OF It's Execu-
five or other authorities, yet | regard It as my
plain path OF duty to express TO The people, Id
respectful bu. at the same time decided language:
thai within the field and scope OF Liy command
and authority, The "snPreme iaT, OIL .he iaha
must and shall be maintained, and no subterfuges,
whether in the ferns of legislative acts or other
wise, can be permitted 10 harass or cypress the
good and Iaw-abiaing people OF Missouri
Shall exert my authority TO protect their persons
and property from violations of every kind, and
shsH eeem it my duty 10 suppress an unlawful
Combinations of men, whether formed under pre-
text of military organizations or otherwise.
VIM. S. HARSEY,
Brig. Gen. U. S. Army, Commanding.