New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-12-19


GOV. JAoKSoN's PROCLAMATION.
Officers aud Soldiers of the Missouri State Guard and Fellow
In the month of June last, after havrg exhausted
every honorable means of averting the calamtes
of civil war, l called upon the State for so 900
volunteers to drive the ruthless bands of hired in
vaders from our soil. Before making that call, l
had asked that you might have the privilege of de-
termining at the polls, in peaceabe manner, your
future political relations with the United States
determined on my part to abide that decision,
whatever it might be. That privilege, O. right
which belongs to every freeman, was denied you.
Our enemies chose to submit to the arbitrament of
the sword. and We accept the issue so boastingly
rendered US.
There was no alternative left. We had either to
draw the sword and defend our rights, or, like
slaves, submit to the worst despotism on earth.
Between these l could not and did not hesitate. I
chose the former, and hence, from that time to the
present, grim vissaged war has stalked throughout
our State, from the Nishnebotena to the St.
Francis from the Des Moines to the Neosho and
in his trail have followed charred walls, blood
stained fields and desolated homes.
When the circumstances by which we were sur
rounded are considered it must be acknowledged
that the State responded nobly to my call; and to
you who left all the comforts of home and for six
long months have been enduring the hardshps,
dangers and sutferings of soldiers life, too much
praise and credit cannot be given. Patiently have
you borne the burning rays of the summers sun,
the beating Storm chilling blasts and sickening
hunger palms, and noby have you stood upon the
battle field mid showering balls, bursting bombs
and charging horse yea, more than this, you have
dared the burning fever the fevered pulse, and
risked the solitary grave, with all patriots faith
and hope.
These things have you done, my brave soldiers,
but our work is not complete yet; for war, with its
horrors and train of suerings, still hovers over our
behaved State. We are fighting for liberty, equal
ity and Independence, and can never leave the
field while the foot of an enemy shall be left to
pollute our soil. Everything earth that renders
life valuable and dear to Tree man is at stake,
and none but the basest slave and craven coward
can yield in such contest.
Oar enemies in the State, though impudently and
arroganty asserting that majority OF the people
are on their side, have, by their own conduct
given the most indubtabe evidence that all their
claims are false, or that they themselves are too
cowardly to fight their own battles.
Why, if they have the majority, did they inlp0rt
regiment after regiment brigade after brigade
general after general, from the ranks of Lncolh's
hired hordes in the North to fight their battles in
Missouri? Our friends from the South were never
invited into Missouri untsthe Lincoln Government
had qaartered their, Hessian troops all over the
State. These troops thus quartered in our midst
have been met upon every field, with few excep
| tons, by Mssours sons alone and with almost IN.
varied success. Now, when we have the assist
ancs of the rich and powerful Southern Confed
eracy, with all her vast resources and her gallant
sons to stand hy our side what must be the result
If any among Us have hitherto entertained the
idea that Missouri can be conquered, let them a
once aud forever Danish the delusion from tFteil
minds By your own strong arms and willing
hearts and daunlless courage you have passed
successfully through the darkest hour and grcatfs
peril which can possibly attend tie unhtlv crusade
| now being w%gfd against you Our eueinles Inhe
| have b6ph brought 10 Know that bIuudy rrVenG,
must and will follow continuance Of our lHsEauuu
tic1 II canuot be supposed that d iat ge lna3olI