Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-09
To psopls Of mIs,ouri.

1t is due to you, as well as to myself in the pre-
sent juncture of affairs that the motives should
be announced which have induced my temporary
absence from our State.
Believing that our true interests demanded open,
immediate and vigorous war upon the authors and
abettors, from Mr.. Lincoln down, of the rebellion
against State sovereignty on the 10th of May
last, and confident, from the Judgment of compe-
tent military men, that Missouri was then better
prepared to resist, than the Lincoln insurgents
to carry out, their plans OF annulhng State
rights dissented though in friendly spirit, from
the policy of our Governor in making concessions
them in his earnest desire to preserve peace with
in our borders. Aware that some arrangement with
that view about to be made and entertaining the
firm belief, fully justified by events, that.as
truce would be energeticaly used by our enemies IN
completing their arrangements TO war on u.s. time
should be lost in making up for previous neglect in
preparing ourselves for the inevitable conflict, /
left our Capital on the 10th of that month. Reach
ing Arkansas, by rapid travelling, on the third day
thereafter was fortunate in meeting Gen. MeCul-
lorh Immediately on his arrival at Fort Smith, Since
then in Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia, my eff
forts have been directed increasingly, to the best of
my limited ability. TO the promotion of urinterests
indissolubly connected with the vndieation of our
liberties and our speedy union with the Confede-
rate States. In view OF Gov. JacksoR's declarations
IN his proclamation of the 18th utimo., il Is due to
him that should mention the fact that have at no
time had and have not now, any agency of any kind
from him it is due to myself to add that since that
proclamation, have cordially exeTted myself to
procure him support in the stand he has taken
against our foes.
Rest assured of the profound sympathy with
which the people of the Southern Confederacy re-
gard our condition; though engaged IN against
powerful foe they would not hesitate still further
to tax their energies and resources at the proper
time and on proper occasion, In and OF Missouri.
The av6wed and decided policy of the Confederate
States Is to add her TO their number her
sovereign people desire the connection. That desire
being unquestionable by any one acquainted with |
their real sentiments, her union with her Southern
sisters is merely question OF time and the oppor-
tunity which the course of events will sooner or 1
later, certainly afford.
You will not expect me TO be more explicit; nor |
would the silence have hitherto observed be now
broken had not several patriotic MiSsourians adyIs
ed this address with the hope that it might contri
butte towards confirming your determination TO free |
yourselves from the despotsm now seemingly tri-
umphant in our State
rejoice to learn from various sources that even
amid the present gloom, you remain confident of
final success. We are drafting to the very dTegs
the bitter cup of federal usurpatiOD; but the medl
cine was Leeded to cure the diseases of cur body
polite The military advantages lately obtained by
our oppressors are not surprising, for your perous
uprising at the call of our Governor Was made with
out that previous CONCERT with your natural allies
which was almost indispensable for success. But
the fortune of war is prone to change; be ready to
take advantage of it. Do nothing weak, nothing
rash. Wherever q favorable opportunity occurs,
rally to the standard of your Governor or those
cooperating with him; but partial uprisings in
defenceless positions without due concert of ac
ton are worse than useless Watch the opportunity
TO strike with effect. Meanwhile let each one of
you quietly prepare; nearly all of you are doubt
less now aware that your ordinary rifles and shot
guns with Minnie balls are equal to the weapons of
your foes, and in your practised hands will rarely
fail of their marks.
Be not impatient Of delay. Success in war de-
ponds greatly on q proper confirmation OF prepAra>
ton, preeaution and daring on blows surely Civ
IL, l-1o- ho-a |
Unable advantage if the hopes given you, by me
or by Others of effective aid, should ineie the
enemy 10 increase his forces in Missouri, he but
weakens himself elsewhere anu hastens in Virginia
his own defeat which is your victory if he re-
mains inactive be but shortens the time OF your cap
tvity. Be of good cheer be but true to yourselves,
invoking the aid fthe Almighty who has so visiby
favored the Southern cause, and sooner or later,
the day of your deliverance will surely come.
With the limited information obtalnable here con
corning recent events in Missouri it is difficult 10
form judgment about our immediate future. But
our enemies claim that they about 10 capture
Governor Jackson, you will trust, not consider it
in to give you this public assurance
that, 10 the best of my ability endeavoring TO min
gle prudence with energy and irmness, though with
q painful consciousness Of the difficulty and re-
spOnsibility of the charge, shall, in humble re-
lance on the guidance and support of Almighty
God, unhesitatingly undertake any constitutional du-
ty events may impose upon me. And should, unfor-
tunately, any vacancy In the executive office occur,
" men under our OOnsLlutlOn duluOIlLes d Ne"
election for Governor earnestly hope that State
officer or authority exercising claiming the power
Of Governor in my absence, will order an election
until, by the expulsion of the enemy, the choice of
he voters can be rendered perfectly free.
The difficulty Of speedy communication with Mis-
souri, being great, respectfully request the news
papers friendly to cause in adjoining States to
publish this address, and thus give it surer oppor-
UNITY Of reaching our own journals.
THOMAS C. REYNOLDS,
Lieutenant Governor of Missouri.
Nashville, July s, 1861.