The national Republican., 1861-05-10
THE CONTEST IN THE WEST.

THE CONTEST IN THE WEST.
In the anxieties and excitements connected
with the defence of the capital, it should not
be forgotten that two Western States are now
hanging undecided as to their course, having q
white population about equal to that OF the
seven original " Confederate States and pos
| sessinp vastly greater elements OF military
strength. These two States are Kentucky and
Missouri.
In Missouri, Governor jackson, elected as q
Douglas Democrat is an unrelenting secession.
ist, and the Legislature is completely control.
led in the interest Of secession. Last winter,
that body prepared for present events, by such
a militia law as gives to the secessionists the
command Of the State forces, a strong body Of
whom are now actually under arms under Gen.
Frost, and encamped in the suburbs Of St. Louis.
It is now assembled in extra session, and hold.
ing secret sessions. What is apprehended is,
that it may divert to the uses Of the rebellion
the moneys now in bank for the July interest
on the State bonds, diversion prematurely
reported to have been made by the Governor
himself and on his own sole authority. What
the Legislature may actually do, is uncertain,
but it will be restrained by nothing but its
fears. 1t is traitorous body, and the worst is
to be apprehended from it.
On the other side, the Government has en-
bodied and armed the Union men Of St. Louis,
to the extent of four regiments, and they are
we'll entrenched in the St. Louis arsenal.
The State is rocking with agitation. 1t is
impossible to know to which side the majority
incline and the knowledge would be Of little
value, as the course Of present events is less
controlled by numerical preponderance than
by the; preparation, promptness, and courage,
Of the opposing parties.
In many senses, Missouri is already out Of
the Union. Her Governor has refused the
troops called for by the President, the Liberty
arsenal has been plundered, the use Of rail.
roads for the transport Of Government troops
has been refused, and the arsenal at St. Louis
has only been held by armed forces. Still, we
do not believe that Missouri can be carried
into secession, so as to be Of any other service
to the Gulf conspirators, than by the necessity
which will be imposed upon the Government,
Of employing forces to watch and check her
movements. St. Louis is safe, and so long as
the nation hold that door, Missouri will not be
dangerous, even if troublesome. But if she
does secede, the people of Illinois, Iowa, and
Kansas, will run Of every negro slave in the
State, who is within reach. That will end Sc.
cession, by e1tinguishing the cause Of it.
In Kentucky, although the Governor is Sc.
cessionist, the Legislature is for the Union, and
will remain so, unless carried of BY some ex-
element Of which there is no present indics.
ton. Here, as in Missouri, the Government
has been organizing and arming the Union
men, two regiments being already complete,
and a third being now in course Of being rails.
ed. At Louisville, the Union sentiment is
strongly in the ascendant, and the appearances
at other points are favorable.
Kentucky and Missouri, being border States,
as Maryland is, will be likely to be controlled
by the same causes, and cannot fail to be in.
Auenced by the example of Maryland. They
cannot be relied upon to assist the Government
in putting down the insurrection on the Gulf,
but it is Of great importance that they should
be restrained from giving aid to that insurrec.
ton. Their populations are large and warlike,
and not embarrassed by many negroes. They
would be formidable enemies, and their neu.
trality, however brought about, whether by pa.
triotism, interest, coercion, or q mixture Of all
three, is very desirable.