The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-28

was unbOunded, and his fitness for the
command IS we'll as his popularity in ST.
Louis and in fact in Missouri, was abund-
antly proven both then aud by subsequent
events. a
The secessionists-ifno not satisied--were
at least pacitied, and returned to their
homes. Sunday night was as quiet as any
before or since.
From this date until somewhat late
period, affairs in Missouri were very quiet.
Peace .reigned. 1t was all owing to the
efficiency and ability Of Gen. Harvey. 1t
is true, hoWever, that while Gen Harvey
sci ON loot aud actually accomplished mea-
>ures, perfectly calculated to ensure per-
manent Tranquility to Missouri, measures
were set on iootN by other mcn-men far
more ambitious aid unprincipcd, to sup
plant ten. Ilafney-which indeed, 10 the
modification and sorrow Of thousands Of
Union men in Missouri, unfortunately sue
ceeded.
The course adopted by Gen. Harvey
vas frank, open, and in every particular
honorable. while that Oi his arch enemy,
was equally mean. dctestablc, underhand.
cd and dishonorable.
Gen. Harvey Immediately sought a con.
ference with Gen. Price, with a view t.
ascertain If some arrangements might not
he made whereby an honorable peace
might be secured to Missouri. In the
meantime reports came from 81. Joseph
and other distant parts Of the State, that
! the Union men were driven out and SUI
fering violence at the hands Of the seces.
I siOnists.
| With characteristic promptneSs, liar.
/ ney dispatched messengers To inq lire Intn
| the lrutllOf these reports his
intention TO send the requisite force, if
necessary, to protect the people.
The arrangement with Price was soon
made.
1t was an arrangement to the effect that
I the sfdtus which then existed shOuid re-
main uHdi>turbcd, the 10000 troops then
organized IN ~. Louis should not toe aug
mcntcd, and no force Of confederate Or
State troops should be kept in the State.
In other words, there was to be hu organ
ization Of Federal Or State truops in Mis-
sOuii, other than that which then existed
on the part Of the United States at st.
Louis.
II is due to Gen. Price to say that he
kept this agreement faithfully. 1t is but
Just to say that il was never broken until
broken by the United States, and for this
breach Of good faith and its consequences,
involving the m0mcntOus events which
have since TRANSFERRED, and the present
gigantic struggle, Francis +. Blair, Jr., is
virtually responsible.
Gen. Price returned to Jefferson CITY
after his Conference with Gen. Harvey.
and at once dlsarmcd the State troop. and
sent them home. Thus peace again dawn
cd upon the smiling valleys and growing
fields Of Missouri.
But the enemies Of peace did not rest.
1t was represented at Washington that
General Harvey had male dishonorolle
peace, and that he was not the man for
the place. The representations ought not
to have been needed, certainly not acted
upon, without thorough investigation.
But they were. The documen: diSplacing
Zen. Harvey from command, was immedi-
ate.y signed and forwarded 10 +. Il. Blair,
Jr.. ia 1h0se pockct IL rms cdrritd nine.
teen days 6efore Gcm. Harney raS dp-
pEiSed ot' its eristence' Ii was proce.
dure extraordinary in its character, and
nOt only wanting in ordinary courtesy to
an officer who had been forty years in the
United States service, but absolutely dis.
graceful.
At the suggestion Of Mr.. Blair, Capt.
Lyon was placed III command. with the
rank Of Brigadicr General. No doubt this
was far more agreeable 10 Mr.. Blair, as
Gen. Lyon was brave officer and an able
one; and it enabled Blair to execute his
ambitious projects in Missouri. Gen. Ly.
on was noninally, Col. Blair was really in
command.
Hearing Of the removal Of Gen. Harvey
Gov jackson sought an interview with
Blair and Lyon. The interview was held.
Jackson submitted propositions similar to
those to which Harvey and Price had
agreed, all Of which were Internationally
rejected.
1t has been asserted that neither Price
nor Jackson kept his agreement with liar
ncy, but have the most positive evidence
ceptcd the offer made BY Jackson and
Price, | firmly believe that there would
have been no occasion for the presence Of
Federal troops in Missouri.
In pursuance Of the ambitious designs
Of Blair, the expedition up the Missouri
River was planned and executed. Before
it had succeeded, however, Francis r.
Blair took his departure from the Camp to
the Legislative Halls at Washington. -
The result is known.
The events which have since TRANSFERRED
are history. The present quarrel between
Blair and Fremont has grown up from the
same cause that led to the removal of IIar.
ney, and ! venture the prediction that the
influences brought to bear against Ere.
mont at Washington will, after having
very materially impcded his progress, an
impaired his success, end in his ultimate
removal.
1t is thus proven that no man can con-
duet affairs in Missouri who is not subject
to higher p"wer-a power that resides
there-and is ever behind the throne
Whoever takes the command 0f the DE.
partmcnt Of the West must be subOrdi.
nate to Francis p Blair, Jr.
! have thus at some length indicated the
course Of events in Missouri. What a
great fire little matter kindleth!" More
than one hundred thousand troops in arms
against the government Men nadlened,
infnriated, determined
The question now naturally arises, what
ought to be done:
To my own mind the easiest, most prac.
ticabe and quickest method Of Subdung
rebellion IN Missouri, is to place Gen. VIII
liam Harvey in command His loyalty to
the United States Government cannot for
one niom"nt.be questioned. All his pc
cuniary interests. to the amount Of about
a million Of dollars, are in Missouri His
loyalty has Caused him to sntfrr already
by the coftiscation Of property in the
State Of Texas As military man, who
in the United States Army now is his su.
perior: And why is he, man so va!ua,.
bile, thus laid upon the shelf in times like
these?