Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1861-06-06
From ibe Republican.
Letter from Col. T. Ksnnett. 49,

From fbe Republican.
Letter from Col. T. Ksnnett.
The annexed letter, written by Col. F
Kenneth, day or two before he was striek.
en- down by the illness that resulted in his
death, fully explains the views he enter
tanned in regard 10 the political position oil
our State; and az it was the intention of
The writer to publish il, we cheeriully com
ply with the request Of his family, TO do %,
believing that it is due to The memory Of
the deceased, who so long occupied
prominent position amongs, his fellow-citi-
gems. that no nisspprehens:on should exist
as 10 his views and feelings In regard to
Secession and the interest ssd welfare Of
our State. The letter is addressed to q
gentleman, whose name it is not necessary
TO give, who had part in the proposed
meeting at De- Soto, 10 hoist a secession
flag, and who SO far misconceived Col.
Kennett's sentiments as TO have him named
as one Of the speakers, without any cons'll-
tation with him in regard to the matter:
SELMA HALL, May 9, 1851.
DEAR SIR: Your letter dated De Soto,
The 10Th of April, was received few days
since, on the eve Of my departure from
home, consequently it has not been conve-
nient for me 10 reply to it at an earlier date.
From the character Of your letter. in con-
nection with published call for meeting
in The Jeffer son County Herald, 10 be held
on the It'll inst. at De Soto, l feel con-
strained to decline the position which you
and other gentlemen are disposed TO assign
me. II ! understand the object OF the son-
templated meeting, il is gotten up with a
view Of hosting flag other than that un.
der which / was born end educated, and l
wi freely confess TO you, that in your
note of invitation for me to address the
meeting you make up issues which do
moi recognize as being really true. 1t is q
m tier p regrt on my part, sir, to
find gentlemen of intelligence and patriot
ism, as I belleve. misled in viewing our So
cial, political and commercial position, and
to manifest disposition without due refles-
ton, a. conceive, no, only to plunge the
country into all the horrors Of an lnterneclne
war, but actually 10 suffer themselves to be
leo, OF COtFCCu dS ~ HttOs q poSstiSh
which would have lacersted the hearts Of
our fathers. / believe, sir, from the bot
tom Of my heart, that the issue that is at
tempted 10 be forced upon US of the border
States, by extreme men Of the North and
South, is On issue. in the language Of Gov.
Jackson, "most disbolical." believe that
that there is not man IN the State Of Mis-
ssuri, who knows me personally, who can
think that have any Partially for the peo-
pIe Of The North. have never been a.
monest them but once or twice in my life,
and that for few days. have no rela-
tionship with them, nor tie of any kind
which should bind me TO them. other than
that as they are my common countrymen.-
You know, sir, that all my interests, my
s.sociations, every feeling, is that Of true
Southern man, who looks 10 the interest,
and welfare Of his country; but at the sam,
time, YOU must know that / am not to b.
led from what conceive to be my duty
believe that any attempt at forcing Mis-
souri, out Of the Unien, can only be The re
suit of a irenzied and unsafe craftsmanship
on the part Of our public funclionaries.-
Without arguing the question of the right
Of the several States and their obligations 70
the Federal eompect, l will simply ask you
what general iaw of the Federal Govern
ment this day dishonOrs us as Missourians?
Is there a right under the Constitution
which has not been guaranteed 10 US BY
law? If such is the case am not aware
of the fact, hence am driven TO the con-
clusion that while we Shareholders of Mis-.
souri, have right 10 complain of the hostile
feeling and individual action Of Northern
States and men, an overt act has not been
committed on the part Of the Federal Gov.
eminent, which would justify Missouri in
taking any step Of hostile character to-
wards the Federal Government.
believe that the excited state Of the
public mind would justify our Legislature
in taking such steps for armipg the State
as would sesire pea within our own Dor
der, but do hope no effort will be made to
divert the school Fund or other moneys
from their spprosriate use; and if it is
deemed sssen'Iaiy tie proper constituted
authorities Of the State that our people be
armed. then let us do it by the purchase of
oui bonds in such proportion as would re-
suit from an equal distribution Of assess
ment as would tall upon the several Sen
atorial districts, each State Senator being
made the fiscal sgen. for the sale of the
bonds in their respective districts. / feel
we'll assured, sir, that it must be in accor-
dance with the feelings Of every good
and true man that war should not be invited
on the part OF Missourians. Every induce
ment, il seems TO, me moi only Of patriotism
and love for the Government which our
fathers gave US, but Of an aggrandizement
would demand peace policy. 1t must
be clear to every man Of thought. that if
Missouri remains true to herself, and does
not follow OF the wild and fanatical teach
ings Of men who boast that they will cOerce
rs cut ofthis Union, she must become the
great manufacturing, agricultural end com
msrcisl State OF the West. Let peace only
be secured to our people, and emigration,
such as has never been known to eur peo-
pie, will be witnessed in the State, A
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