Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-06-18
PROCEA NATION OF GEN. LYON TO
THE rEOPLE OF MIsSOUkI.

in this vicinity.
PROCLAMATION OF GEN. LYON TO
THE PEOPLE OF MISSOURI.
ST. LOUIS, June 1.-THE follow ing pro-
elamaton has just beeu issued to the citizens
OF Missouri =
Prior to the proclamation issued by Gov.
jackson, on the l2th, it was well known to
you that the governor and legislature sympa-
thized in the rebellious movements now in
progress in the country, and that they had
adopted every means in their power to
etfetc separation of this state from
the general government. For this pur.
pose parties OF avowed secessionists or
ganized into military companies throu bout
the state, with the full knowledge and APPROX
al of the governor. The establishment of en-
campmeuts in the state at this unusual season,
authorized for an indefinite period, could have
had no other object than concentrating a large
military force, to be subjected to provisions of
the military law then in contemplation, and
subsequently pascal bill offensive to all
peaceable inhabitants, so palpably uncOnstitu-
tional, that it could be accepted by those only
who were willing to conform to its extraOrdina.
ry provisions, for the purpose OF etfecting their
cherished object, the disruption OF the federal
government. That bill provides for an obi.
CATION to the state on the part Of ali persons
enrolled under its provisions irrespective Of
any obligations to the United States, when
the constitution requires all state officers to
take the oath OF allegiance to the United
States. This itself is reputation of all au-
thority of the general government, whose con-
stitut!on is the supreme law, on the part OF the
state government its officers, and such citizens
as might choose to adopt the provisions of
the bill Coupled, as it was, upon the
part of the legislature and governor, with dec
arations, hostile to its authority and in sym.
patty with those arrayed in hostility against
it, it could leave no doubt Of rs object to car
ry out the provisions to this extraordinary
bill, having in direct view hostties to the
federal government. 1t was so denounced by
General Harvey, whose proclamation OF the
18th of May doubtless gave rise to the inter
view OF Gen. Harvey and Gen. Price result
ing in an agreement which it was hoped
that it would lead to the restoration OF
tranquility and good order in your state. That
the repadiation of the military bill and all eff
forts of the militia OF the state, under its pro-
visions, was the basis OF the agreement, was
shown as well by Gen. Harney's proclamation
as by the paper submitted 10 Gen. Price, cou-
tanning the preliminary conditions to an inter-
view with him. This agreement failed to de-
fine specifically the terms of peace, or how far
bill should form a portion of it; though
from the expressions and declarations of Gen.
Harvey at the time OF the conference. A
suspension of any action under the bill until
there could be judicial determination OF its
character by some competent tribunal, must,
in good faith, be regarded as a fundamental
basis of the negotiations nevertheles, imme
diately after this arrangement, and up to The
time of Gov. Jackson's proclamation, com
plants of attempts to execute the provisions
of this bill, by which the most extraordinary
hardships have been imposed on peaceful and
loyal citizens, coupled with persecution and
prescription of those opposed to its provisions,
have been made to me, as commander OF the
United States forces here, and have been car.
ried to the authorities at WashinSton, with ap.
peals for reliet, from Union men of all parties
in the state, who have been abused, insulted,
and in some intances driven from their homes.
That relief L conceive it TO be the duty OF q
just government to use every exertion in its
power to give. Upon this point the policy of
the government is set forth in a communica-
lion from the department at Washington, dated
May u, to brigadier- general Harvey, viz:
Sir-The president observes with concern,
that, Notwithstanding the pledge of the state
authorities to co operate in preserving the
peace of Missouri, loyal citizens continue to
be driven from their homes. 1t is immaterial
whether these outrages continue from the in
activity, or indisposition on the part OF the
state authorities to prevent them. 1t is enough
that they continue. On you devolves the
duty of putting stop to them summarily,
by the force under your command, to be
aided by such troops as you may require from
Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois, The professions
of loyalty to the Union by the state authori-
ties of Missouri are not to be relied upon.
They have already falsifed their professions
too often, and are too far committed to Seces.
sion to be admitted to your confidence, and
you can only be sure of their dessting from
their wicked purposes, when it is not in their
power to prosecute them. You will there
fore be increasingly watchful of their
movements, and not permit the clamors of
their partlsans, or the opponents of the
wise measures already taken, to prevent you
from checking any movement against the gov
ernment, however d sguised. The authority
OF the United States is pre-eminent, aud when
ever it is apparent that the movement, wheth.
er by color of the state authority or not, is
hostile, you will not hesitate to put it down.
(Signedl L. THOMAS, Adjutant General.
1t is my design to carry out these instruc
tons in letter and spirit The justice and pro-
priety will be appreciated by any who take an
enlightened view of the relations of citizens of
Missouri to the general government; nor can
such policy be construed as al aillulsparag'
ing to the rights or the dignity OF Missouri, or
as infringing upon individual liberty. The re-
cent proclamation of Gov jackson, by which
he set at defiance the authority OF the United
States, and urged you TO maxi war upon
them, is but the contamination OF his
reasonable purposes long indicated by
his acts and expressed opinions, and now made
manifest. II, in suppressing these reasonable
projects, and carrying out the policy OF the
government and maintaining its dignity as
above indicated, hOstIities should unfortunate
ly occur and unhappy consequences should
follow, would hope that all aggravation of
these events may be avoided, and that they
may be diverted from the innocent, and tall
only upon the heads of those by whom they
have been provoked.
In discharge OF these plain, but onerous du-
ties, | shall look for the countenance and ac
tive cooperation of all good citizens, and shall
expect them to discountenance all illegal con-
binations or. organizations, and support and
uphold by any lawful means the federal gov
eminent, upon the maintenance OF which de-
pend their liberties and the perfect enjoyment
OF all their rights.
fSigued) N. LYON, Brig. Gen.
U. S. Colonel, Commanding.