Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-06-05
ProcIa no atfOn OF Nhe Major General
OF MHlByOuri.
Jefferson City, June 4, 1861.


GL lIirApouARrxas Missouri STATE GuARps.)
Jefferson City, June 4, 1861.
To The Brigadier Generate commandiag dle seuera
! Military Districts IN Missouri. -
To correct misrepresentation and prevent al
Misunderstanding of my opinions and intentions
In reference to the military trust confided TO me
BY the Governor of Missouri, desire to state 10
you, and to the people generally, my past and
present position as private citizen and mem.
, Der of our State Convention.
Asa military commander, my influence has
been exerted to prevent the trGn.f,r of the seat
of war from the Atlantic States to our own State,
Having taken no steps towards dissolving our
connection with the Federal Government, there
was no reason whatever for disturbing the peace
and tranquility Of Missouri.
| I have therefore desired, and such, am an.
thorized to say, has been and still is the desire
of the Chief Executive, under whose orders I
have acted, that the people of Missouri should
exercise the right to choose their own position
| in any contest which might be forced upon them,
unaided by any military force whatever. Their
right to bear arms in defense of themselves
and of the State cannot be questioned, sacred az
it is BY both the Constitution of the United
States and OF this State.
For the purpose, therefore, of securing to the
people of Missouri the free exercise of their un-
doubted rights, and with view to preserve
peace and order throughout the State. an agree.
ment was entered into between Gen. Harney aud
myself, which consider alike honorable to both
parties and the governments represented. The
Federal Government, however, has thought
proper to remove Gen. Harney from the COM /
mand of the Department of the West; but as
the successor of Harney will certainly consider
himself and his government In honor bound to
carry out this agreement in good faith, | feel
assured that his removal should give no cause
of uneasiness to our citizens for the security of
their liberties and property. | intend on nv .
part to adhere to it, both in its spirit and to the
letter.
The rumors in circulation, that it is the in
tention of the officer now in command of this
department. to disarm those of our citizens who
10 not agree in opinion with the Administration ,
1t Washington, and put arms in the hands OF
hose who, in some localities of this State, are
supposed to sympathize with the views of the
Federal Government, are, trust, un(ounded. 2
The purpose of such movement could not be -
1t would not only be palpable
'iolation of the agreement referred to, and an
qually plain violation Of our constitutional
lights, but gross indignty to the citizens of
his State, which would be resisted to the last &.
xtremiiy. In
My best wish and hope is, that the people Of Of
he State of Missouri be permitted, In peace "a "a
nd security, to decide upon their future couse; eli
nd so far as my ability can effect :i, it, this gi
bject shall be accomplished. ic
The people of Missouri cannot be forced, ",
nder the terrors of military invasion, into ar
position not Of their'free choice. A million II
4 such people as the citizens of Missouri were an
ever yet subjugated. If attempted, let no ap- a. a.
rehensions be entertained of the result. e6
epjoin you, gentlemen, to see that all citi.
ems, of whatever opinions in politics or ee te
eligion be protected in their persons and prop OF
rty. (Signed)
STERLING PRICE,
Major Gen. Commanding