Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1861-09-07
SECESSION IN MISSOURI.


to all that it would be 80 from the begin
ming. Treason has from the first, beer
gradually assuming shape and consistence
until it has, at last, attempted an open
and bold defence to the Government
throughout the whole State. The demor-
alizing influence of a corrupt executive
has forced the people into the abyss of
revolution, and subjected them to all the
horrors and calamites of a servile war.
1t is the strangest thing in human nature
land ye: one Of the most frequent recur-
ence) that men can be so easily deluded
where their most vital interests are in
peril. Secession, for Missouri, is an ab.
straction. 1t is policy directly opposed
to the interests Of her people Her geo.
graphical position and the close and init.
mate relations she sustains with the North
and West preclude the possibility that
seperation-either peaceably or by force
could ever harmonize with the true in
terests Of her people. 1t is true there are
few slaves on her soil, but should that
give character and position to the policy
Of the State 1t is claimed for her that
because it is so she should go with the
slave interest and unite her fortunes with
those Of the slave States.
Such a policy would be suicidal, to say
the least. That men, in whom people
have reposed confidence and entrusted
with high and responsible positions, can
be found base and degraded enough to
betray such trusts aud excite the people,
by every art in their power, to the adop.
ton Of line Of policy that must result in
disaster and disgrace to the State, is an
ano'noy in the history of mankind We
cannot shut our eyes to the fact that the
majority of tue people of Missouri are,
and have been, loyal to the Government
and that majority of those in arms
against it, are and have been deluded-
That such is the fact is evident from the
weak defence made by them at the battle
of Springfield. Is it to be supposed that
$4,000 men fighting with fixed and IN,
alterable purpose in defence Of their rights,
could be beaten by one fourth Of their mum.
Der, all else being equal Never. But we
would not pass lightly over the efforts of
the brave Gen. LYON aud his heroic little
band. The survivors of that desperate
conflict have covered themselves with i'm.
perishable glory, aud the fallen will be
ever held in remembrance as martyrs in
the great cause of Republican freedom
Much censure has fallen upon Gen LYON
for hazarding a | against such over
whe!ming numbers, and for reckiessly ex.
posing himself 10 danger after the attack
was made; but it would be well to pause
and consider the peculiar circumstances
by which he was surrounded, and the i'm
pers,ive duty which he felt resting upon
him to sustain the authority Of The Gov
eminent and protect the loyal inhabitants
from violence, at every hazard, before We
charge the battle to have been needlessly
fought. That he did right and exhibited
the qualities of an able commander by
leading the main charge against the enc
my, in person, we have no manner of
doubt. The moral effect Of a first success
against him would have been almost fatal
to his hopes, aud yet the battle must be
fought to check the progress Of rebellion
and sustain the already wavering spirits
Of those still hopeful for the Union. The
hour looked dark before the little band of
heroes-but animated by pure and pat
riotic devotion to their country and its
cause. they advanced cheerfnlly to the
onset aai flung back in dismay their
ruthless opposers like waves from the solid
rock. From Gen. LYoN's character as a
commander We cannot presume that he
would have fought this battle without tax
ing every precaution against disaster, and
using every effort for victory which seem
ed almost hopeless against such overp9w-
ering numbers. He must have had strong
considered it unavoidable under the cir
cumstances his place was at the head of
his column where he fell cheering his men
on to victory. His death was felt as an
irreparable loss to the cause in which be
was engaged, but the glorious results Of
the victory more than repay the immense
sacrifices at which it was obtained. Flu
ture generations when they read the his
tory of these times, will see with clearer
vision, the magnitude of the crime, and
the ieindish purpose of those who are
now attempting the overthrow of this
government. Great and peculiar privil-
eyes are scarcely ever realized and appre-
ciated by those who are in the enjoyment
Of them, and no more striking iliusra-
ton Of the truth of this can be found than
the effort that is now being made to sub
vert government that has, for near
century, been the wonder and admiration
Of the world. II is well worth the great