, 1861-05-13
Noble Letter from james y. Ao1l1nss
[F5om the Louieisna (Mo.l JournaLl

nohfe Letter from james .. Rollins.
From the Loufeiaua {Mo) Journal]
It does Us good to publish the following
splendid letter from that Doble a1d magnanl'
nous chieftain and patriot for whom We have
battled with might and main IN the late Con-
gressioral race in this district. Let every
Union man initiate the magosnimlty OF III lor.
come to the rescue OF ihe Union. He and the
gallant Col Henderson, though lately Engaged
Ia one of the hottest and fisrcest political ecn-
tests ever waged ia Missouri, have, for the
cause Of good government and the perPeFul'y
Of our glorious Uaion and its u7told bl-ss-
inpa, buried past differences, aud are now
shoulder to shout Ter, doing good eerVlca for
the cause OF the Union arc peace
COLUMBIA, April 80, 1851.
JoHN B. HENDERSON, E<q.:
dfu Dear Sir: I received your favor ct the
% lns1., on my rsturn home from st Louis
las night, and nasten to reply to it, It is pro-
posed 10 have Union meeting here On Mon
day next This, with otner engagements
which cannot overlook, will most pronably
present me from attending the meeting at
Bowling Gre n, to which l had been invited
by other gentlemen of your county before
received your letter. Nevertheless, it is proper
for me to cay that apr we the osj ccts Of the
meeting. There is no secession b.ood in my
veins. / deny the who!e doctrine. regard
it as political absurdi.y, and when applied to
our Government, the most dangerous heresy
that could be fastened upon us. B:sidts, 1t
our noble State Is to bs thrust ont Of tie
Union, let us raise the standard oi revolution,
a1d 20 out in bold and dering way, and net
attempt to sneak out OF the back door, under
pretended Constitutional RE ht, which, in its
application, amounts to destruction Of the
Government Itself.
The proper position of Missouri Is to re-
main just where she Is, and that Is in the
Union, and her people will hare cause to Ia
msnt the day when evl-mioded men shall
have power sufficient to curry her ont Of the
Union. We had trouble enough to get in, but
our cs1 imitfes viii BE- a Thousand fold greater
! If We should ever get ont. Our policy should
! be that Of peace. For one, feel under no OBJ
/ ligatlols to fight the battles of those who,
| agairst mY advice, my earnest entreatieF, ard
| their and my own best interests, have brought
| these difficulties upon themselves If d. s1la.
1ion and ruin is to be the result let it be con.
| fned to the Atlantic and Gulf coast, where Ii
WIS irangurated. Let us keep 1t far away
| from 1he smiling fields and peaceful habita.
| tions OF our people.
My humble Efforts will all be exerted for
| peace and reconciliation. It Il di> grace and
| rGoVt Fnment, lhe purest and m st eniight-
ened On eartn, poll ical questiens have to le
|. settled by the aroi:rament O. the sword, arc
that the great body of 1he people BE- compell
ed to commence cutting ta.u Others thToats
in order to crafty the malice or ths ambition
Of q few disappoint' oemogogues.
Allow me to Say that ypnr Dr. .ef a'luslon tt
our contest last summer, was grateful to NJ
feelings. And can ssy with you, that the ex
citement attendant npon our severe struggle
and any improper feelings temporarily arous
ed, were buried with the termination OF the
race. never doubted your sincerity OF youl
| patriotism, aud low til at our State is threat
ered with ciril war and anarchy, and the very
| TEMPLE Of our freedom threatened with over
throw, am ready to unite With you and al
other good citizens to prevent one and save
the other.
! am faithfully and tru1v your friend,
| JAMES s. ROLLINS.