Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1861-03-21
MISSOURI CONVENTION.
REMARKS OF JUDGE HALL. .

Moss, Of Clay, offered the following amsnd-
nent to The eth resolution reported by
the Committee on Federal Relations:
sand further believing that the fate of Missouri
depends upon the peaceable adjustment of our
present difficulties, she will never ceuntenance or
aid seeding Stale in making war upon the
General Government, nor will she furnish men
,si money for the purpose of aiding the General
Government in any attempt to coeree a seeding
State, -. -a IA -
which amendment he supported in an able
and lengthy speech, decidedly Union in
sentiment. When he had concluded, the
floor was awarded TO --s7zsz'as - 80 '7'--''-'
Mr.. HALL, of Randolph. I soncur in
the remarks made by the gentleman from
Clay, (Mr. Moss,) but | am opposed to
that resolution. l do not believe the fate
Of Missouri depends upon the question Of
coercion. but do believe that the restora-
ton Of this Union may, be brought about,
and l am therefore lin favor of the resolu-
tion reported by the Committee, which OPP
poses coercion on the ground that it would
destroy the hope Of reconstruction. But
/ do net believe the fate Of Missouri is de-
pendent upon the action of the States out
OF the Union. nor am willing 10 take any
action that shall tie me 10 their fate. They
have selected their own course, whatever
its results are TO be 10 them, and however
much may deplore it-however much
may desire them 10 be restored. vet the
course lhey have taken am not PREPARED
10 take for Missouri nor will take a posi-
tion which will draw me into the path which
they have. The gentleman says that we
shall show as much spirit in resisting CO.
ercion, as our brethren Of the North. That
is very good sentiment as coming from
the North, and has very good effect, but
as coming rem the South, it has far diff
ferent effect. AS coming from the North, il
shows they are willing 10 assume the part
Of pacifeatOrs, but as coming from the
South, ii comes in the nature of threat
and We have had too much of that sort Of
a thing. If the Federal Government calls
upon US We must discharge our duties 10
that Government. Sir, will not take the
position II at | am in Government, and
yet intend to resist IFS laws. l think il is
not the proper course for this Convention
TO declare whatever they may think the pol
icy of Missouri should be. will moi make
pledge now which by possibility can be
construed 10 The effect that we viii fight for
those who have placed themselves in the po-
sition of enemies 10 our county. Suppose
there is Constitutional demand upon this
State, and an attempt TO enforce if, what
are we to do? Are we TO resist, and, if
necessary by arms? What then, is the
consequence Why do we sit here and de-
clare that peace IS essential, and yet for
the sake of peace, inaugurate civil war-in-
sugurate the very thing we attempt to avoid
and We ourselves inaugura,e II for tha pur-
pose Of avoiding tit involves a practical
absurdity. Mr.. President. it would pro-
duce great excitement throughout the
Southern States if coercion were restored
to. Coercion, in thesense in which it was
understood when this question first began
20 be talked of, is a: different thing from
what it means now. We now have con.
struetive coercion. We now hear that
Maj. Anderson's holding on TO Fort Sump-
ter rs coercion. and that South Carolina, in
taking Fort Sumpter, is. but acting in self
defense, is but resisting coercisn. Now, If
do not mistake the feeling of Missouri, as
between South Carolina and Major Ander-
son. the sympathies Of Missouri are in IA.
vor of Maj. Anderson; and will make ne
pledge that the people Of Missouri will take
up arms to resist The General Government
in aiding Major Anderson i'm The discharge
Of his duty. ,.s5... =, : 100,
t. MIR. President, il seems 10 me that this
resolution is at variance with the whole
scope and spirit of the resolutions adopted
by the majority Committee. III under.
stand The spirit of their agreement it is
this-that we are not to resort 10 revolu-
tionary remedies SO long as ws have
means Of protesting our rights within the
limits Of the law, and therefore there is no !
cause for revolutionary action at this time.
That is the spirit of The resolutions repor.
ted BY the mojoriiy commiitse--that we
should recommend snbordinaiion and the |
noble spirit Of submission TO the laws. But !
as understand it in the resolutions now
before the Convention, we pledge ourselves
on that ground which is wholly at variance
with the spirit Of the majority report. In that
report | believe we take the only tenable |
ground can be taken; that revolution should
never be resOrted 10 while there are means
of preserving rights in the Union. We
have taken the GROUND and set the example |
and want 10 see no resolution introduced |
at all at variance with that or which is CAL |
culated to set the States example of i,sub.
ordination: All should take the high GROUND
Of nediators, and place ourselves on this
impregpable basis Of maintaining our legal
rights by legal means while these legal
means exist. Isay our position as media
TOYS depends upon the position we occupy
before the country. live occupy the position
of threatening INSTRUMENTATION, and dealing
out threats, il weakens The moral influence
in which We exert in that capacity, / am
opposed to the resolution.
Mr.. SHKcKELFonD Of Howard. Repre-
senting as do constituency that has
large interest in The peculiar instits,ion that
has been the source OF ell our troubles. I feel