Washington telegraph. [volume] (Washington, Ark.) 1839-1871, 1863-05-20

4
tinguished gentlemen (well known more recent
ly to our people on account of his accession to
the office of Governor of Missouri upon the
death of the lamented Jackson, and especially
by his wise and patriotic address to the people
of Missouri on that occasion, )spent last ednes-
day in our town, on his way from Shreveport
to Little Rock. The want of close connection
withs.the public conveyances afforded ourselves
ard number of our citizens, the pleasure OF
making his personal acquaintance.
| lie stands, politically, in a remarkable posi-
ton. One altogether without example
There is not in the history of civilized nations
any precedent by which he may guide his con-
duct. 1t imposes upon him the absolute duty
of assuming respon sibiities of the most start
ling character which he has done prudent
| ly and modestly, that the most captious can
not justly complain,
The whole subject. concerns so nearly, the
Trans Mississippi Department, that it will
| be found no less useful, than entertaining to
our readers, to develop it in full.
| The last regular cons titutional election held
in that State-the last expression of its sover-
eign will by the people--took place in August,
| 1860. and resulted in the election of Claiborne
jackson, Governor; Thos c. Reynolds, Lieut.
Governor; and y Senate and House of Repre-
sentatves. These became the true representa-
tives and embodiment of her sovereignty, and
still so remain. The Legislature. in January.
1861, called Convention of delegates from
the people, authorized merely to consider their
| relations with the Federal Government and sis
ter States and submit their action to the PEG,
pie for ratification rejection. 1t met in
March. 1861, before the war began, passed
resolutions against coercion, and in favor of
reconciliation, and after very sh TT session
adjourned. Thus its functions ended The
sovereign powers of the State remained as be-
fore in the Constitutional representatives,
There was no action of the people on the reso-
buttons of the convention. 1t was considered
dead, and fit to be buried.
After that the war broke out under circum-
stances of treachery, which aroused the in
dicnation Of the whole South, and Immediately
united all its citizens opposed to coercion, and
the secessionists
Our own State up to that time. also opposed
to coercion, and in f,vor of reconciliation, Sc
coded with shouts cf reclamation throughout
her borders, and with expressions of the fers-
est Indignation. Tennessee called no conven-
ton, but acteI b. its constitutional represent
atives, and submitted the question to the peo-
pie Missouri would have done the same, but
the heel of the oppressor already upon
her, and before it could be accomplished
large portion of her territory was in the hands
of the invader, and those rebes against the
State authorities who aided and abeted the au-
thorities of the United States. The ballot box
wGs impossible. There could be no further
expression OF the will of the people. 1t de-
volved on the State authorities to act for the
peopie-to represent their sovereignty. They
did so, and there has never been honest
question, Int that they represented their will
correctly The General Assembly Immediately
passed an act, empowering the Governor TO
take any measures he might deem necessary
aud proper to repel the INVASION and suppress
the rebellion against the sovereignty of the
State. 1t became evident that the people wliied
separation from the base invaders 1t was
necessary to declare that will in the most au-
thoritative manner. 1t was an Indispensable
military step. The Governor, therefore, as
the head and representative OF State sover-
eiShIF- i>Sueu Proci!-!i ou'"t w" VI H.
on the otn August lool, "'"SoNl"S Tue con
nection ef the State WITH the government anu
people supporting the usurpin9 au'nori'ie' az
washington IN tue november '"i'o"'" '"e
Uenera' Assembly having meg h"Ay i'o'h ~
capital, declared the adoplo" o ta' CohS'''u-
ton CT the Confederate States by the people
OF missouri ms was recognized Dy our
government as the Toice oil the conS'tu'5i au
.hoii'i'> AilsSouri was '''''ii ''eu IT. "'e'li
Der OF the ConfederaeF' ana her representa-
tives sitln congress.
thder feuerai innueAce remnant oi 'Nc
-; all
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