Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-16
MISSOURI STATE CONVENTION.
THE EMANCIPATION QUESTION

$4,000 for the care of sick and wounded SOL
diers. Resolutions were introduced instruct
ing members of congress to urge the passage
of a law to reimburse citizens OF the state
whose property has been taken or destroyed
by United States soldiers.
A message was received from Gov Gahple
calling the attention of members OF the CON
yention to the fact that the president OF tie
United States, in a message sent to congress
during the present session, proposed the auoI-
ton of Joint resolution, declaring the VIII
lingness of congress to furnish aid to any slave
state that may think proper to adopt meas
ure of emancipation. Such Il resolution was
adopted by both houses, and so becomes an
offer by congress. 1t is a proposition OF I'M
exampled liberality, and whatever may be the
views of members of the convention on the
subject of emancipation, it calls for courte-
Gus response. Courtesy between govern
ments is as much required as between ndlVld-
uals This state has received from the gov
eminent OF the United States great attention
and kindness. Large armies have been main
tanned for our protection against invasion, and
they have battled calamity for our defence.
Money has been given us by the government
to equip our citizens for their defence, and
numbers of troops of our own people are arm
ed, subsisted, clothed, and paid, by the gov
eminent, in order that we may protect our
selves. Under such treatment it would be
unbecoming to pass in silent indifference
proposition originating with the United States.
Many Of our own citizens, and possibly the
authorities at Washington, have expected the
convention would take some action upon
scheme of gradual emancipation. The
convention has acted on an ordinance
containing a scheme upon this subject by lay
ing it upon the table. The course thus adopt
ed is understood to dispose of the subject ac
cordng to your rules, and therefore it is not
now intended to propose to reopen and recon-
slider the subject But this action of the con-
vention will without doubt be so represented
as to excite hostile feeling against the state
among all those in authority who favor eman-
cipation, and thus injuriously affect the in
terest Of the state. As no reason could be
given upon the motive by which the ordinance
disposed Of the result may be represent
ed as rudely discOurteous to the president and
congress. The manifest propriety of making
a response to the offer of the president and
congress affords opportunity for removing all
grounds for such unjust and injurious imputa-
ton. 1t is not suggested that the convention
is to make apology to any person, but as
the proposition made by the government is
one entitled to a respectful answer in express
language, it would be very appropriate to
need not produce any general discussion, and
need not involve the merits Of the question
of emancipation. 1t would only be an act of
courtesy to the authorities of our own govern
ment, who have made a proposition which, if
it should ever be carried into effect, will eX-
hibt great hberality. 1t is, therefore, sub
mitted to the convention that resolution be
adopted which shall be a response to the
offer made by the president and congress.
On motion of Mr.. Breckenridge of St.
Louis, the governors message was referred to
a select committee of five, with instructions
to report without delay ON the subject by res
olution or otherwise. Mr.. Hitchcock of St.
Louis, asked that the following be referred to
the same committee, which was agreed to:
Whereas, the congress of the United States
on special recommendation of the president,
has adopted joint resolution in the following
words, to wit -''Resolved, that the United
States ought to cooperate with any state
which may adopt the gradual adjustment of
slavery, giving to such States at its discretion,
compensation for the inconvenience, public or
private, produced by such change Of system;"
andwhereas the president Of the United States
in his recent proclamation revoking and an
nulling certain unauthorized declarations as
sumed to be made by Maj Gen. Hunter, of
the United States army, has earnestly invited
the people of the states interested to take into
consideration said joint resolution, be it there
| fore,
Resolved, first, that in the opinion of this
convention the proposition contained in said
joint resolution adopted by congress, and APP
proved 1862, is entitled as well from its source
as its intrinsic Importance to the deliberate
and respectful consideration of the people of
Missouri.
Resolved, second, that while a majority of
the convention have not felt authorized at this
time to take action in respect to this grave
and delicate question of private right andpub-
lie policy presented by said resolution, yet
this body desires cordially to recognize as
well the generous spirit therein displayed by
the government of the United States as the
eminent patriotism and ability which have dis
tinguished the president of the United States
in his efforts to subdue this unholy rebellion,
and restore peace and order to this state.
An ordinance was then adopted changing
the state constitution so as to provide that af-
ter the LIST of January, 1862, all general cleo
tons shall occur on the Tuesday next after
the lst Monday in November and shall be
held biennially.
JEFFERSON CITY, June 14-The resolutions
introduced in the convention, yesterday, ask
ing our congressman to urge the passage of a
law to secure restitution to the people of
Missouri who have lost property by the teder-
al soldiers, were adopted. The majority of
the committee, Messrs. Breckenridge, Orr,
and Douglas, to whom had been referred the
governors message, reported for the adop-
ton of the resolutions of Mr.. Hitch
cock, which had been referred to them.
The minority, Messrs. Donavan and Howell,
state that while they have not been
able to agree with the majority, they had no
report to make Two or three substitutes
were offered, discussed, and rejected, when
the report of the committee was adopted, 80
to 81. A resolution of congratulation on the
success of the Union arms at Memphis and in
Virginia was offered by Mr.. Hitchcock, and
adopted The convention then adjourned to
the 4th of July, 1868, unless sooner called
together by the governor.
Appointments Confirmed.
WASHINGTON, June 15.-The senate has
recently confirmed the following appoint
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