, 1864-02-20
a GREAT RADICAL TERI
UMFfI,


lf1om the st. Louia Democrat, Feb. 1871 :
We are positively assured that Gov. Hall
has signed the. New Convention Bill thus
mailing ii lazy. Until assured Of this act Of
the Goyernor's, about which we have had
our doubts md apprehcnsions, knowing that
lis veto so near tho close Of the session
would EIcntly imperi1 the measure, we hare
not Garrd express the qualification We feel at
the Legislatures action in this matter. But tue
bill is signed, a'convcntion is placed within
the reach Of the people, and; the Radicals OF
Missouri have trlumphed In the SUCCESS OF
tie paramount measure for which they hsye
fought the hardest and. bittercst canvass
know to the politict Of the State. This is
no ordinary victory. 1t involves the repndf-.
ntlon. Of the so.cal1ed emancipation orlin-
aDce Of. the old State Convention, which
was 60 vauntinsly put forth bya Missouri
Of it's creed Of State policy, and to maintain
Which it:pledged every resource ln.its. pos
session. It is fresh IN the recollection of
every Miesourian how bitterly the adherents
Of that ordinance denounced all who refused
to subscribe to it's tcnents, and to acknow-
ledge TINT It eftectuall5 "scttled'' the .qucs.
tion of slavery In this state. In the CoDven-
ton which produced It. therewerc hut nina-
teen ont Of the ninety odd members who
voted IN opposition, and among it's advocates
: were the Governor and Lieutenant Governor
OF lhe state, both OF It's representatives In the
Senate Of the United States, several ofits
Leading L. nai member Of Congress. and the fore
tive party. The very idea Of successful op-
position was hooted ut as prcposterous. We
did not think So The Ordinance was COM
promise with tho i. enemy Of Nilsson:
rs peace-:t proposed gradual emanclp--
lion, when the eNgencies Of the hour de-
bed the people Of the right to be heard upon
The question involved, Tins striking at: the !
root Of popular liberty, and in spirit and
principle espoused o atemporizing policy, when
the condition Of the State was ripe for radi-
cal action. We did not, therefore, hcsitate
mous-as a betrayal of freedom in the name
OF emancipation, and as . nlere evasion Of
gEeat question In the interest Of slavery.
The Rasdical purity Of Missouri, young and III
efficiently organized as It was, did not hest
Tended though we hnve shown it to be By the
proudcst nnnes in the State, and to appear
unccs all but impreguahly intrenclcd In. the
possession Of almost bound1ess patronage,
State and National. The result was the acri-
moaious and sternly fought canvass
nnd Radicalism assniling The ordinance, |
Radiealitm t.ilmphel with the people,
'and ono Of TIE richest fruits Of the victory ID
the adoption Of the law calling d new con-
vcntion to go over the csamc ground traversed
by the old. And While we would, # VIC had
tue decision Of the question, have ordered tho
convention for IN earlier day, we do not Sc
riously regret .lc delay: which, must inter
vene before the choice Of Delegates, nor agree
with those who SO severely deprecate this
feature In the tin.' We have no fears for the
result. We are not frightened at the rebel I
vote ln Missouri, wien assured the Union
vote is with Ms, Time but adds to the strength |
OF the radical current Which is sweeping tic |
last vesttgc Of slavery before it in the pres |
cnt crisis Of public affairs. When |
We we're able to succeed last ,all, In the face
Of al the adverse circumstances which then |
surrounded us, We have little now to fear, If |
VIC but exert ourselves IS becomes the occa- |
sion. Besides, the principle we maintain is |
in Itself q tower Of strength, worth more than |
all the arts Of politicians. Bnt the obligation |
for us to work for this principle is not Ilmtn- !
ished. 4 wcf5hty responsibility. involving |
the best interest of the State, rests npon the
Radicals Of Missouri in the present aspect Of !
the case. Our duties in the promises VIC shall |
more fully discuss hereafter. 4