New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-04
MISSOURI.


war. more ferocous than any that has
preceded it, has broken out over the
whole State, and impcriled the property
and the lives Of the incorporating Umon'
lists and anti-Savcry men. Indeed, it may DO
safely asserted that during the past few weeks,
it has in no other State Of the Union been more
dangerous TO be pointed out as an unconditional
Union man than in Missouri. Maryland ana
Pennsylvania have again been exposed to Rebel
raids, and suffered an enormous loss oil propcrtyi
still. the war has been confined to few dis
tricts; and even in these we have hardly heard
Of any cases of murder Of Union men. The con-
dItion of Kentucky is much like that OF Mis-
souri,, but the greater number of troops in that
State has saved OF least a large number OF coun-
ties from the insecurity which for weeks has
reigned throughout the whole Of Missouri.
1t is easy TO trace the causes of this unfortunate
condition Of affairs ia that State. Missouri has
not only, in common with all other States oil
the Union, lacked all Efficient militia system.
but it has had under its "conservatye'
Coyernors-Gambc and Hall-a militia when
has played directly into the hands OF the guer-
ril!as. and without the aid Of which the insubOr-
dination Of the last few weeks would never have
assumed so destructive character We do not
mean to charge these two Conservative Cover
nors with having been consciously disioyal.
Both, undoubtedly, meant to adhere to the
Government Of the United States; but, in CON-
mon with all the Conservative" and "Dem-
ocratic" Governors Of other States, they conf
mitted tho fatal blundcr Of hating the anti
Slavery Unionists more than Rebels and Seces-
sionists, and of preferring acompromise with the
latter to an honest cooperation with the former
Nowhere has this policy borne more perhclous
fruit than in Missouri. The "Conseryatlye"
militia organized by the Provisional Cow
eminent, not only proved entirely inef-
ficent for the suppression Of the guerriilaS,
but in several places many Of It's MEN,
beers Joined the armed Rebel bands and guided
them in their attacks upon the lives and prop
criy of radical UnioAists. No apoloGist VIII
ever be able to purge the Provisional Govern
mcnt of Missouri from the charge OF having
kept many of the ablest and most energetic
Unionists of the State out of the ranks of the
militia, solely because they were Radicals ana
of having, on the other hand, retained IN the
public service men who never used their power
for any other purpose than to annoy and perSe-
cute the loyal people.
The atrocities committed by the guerrillas
and the disturbed condition Of the whole State
have opened the eyes OF many to the true char
actor of the conservative policy" pursued by
Governors Gamble and Hall More trustworthy
men have since been placed at the head Of the
troops, and it may reasonably be expected that,
if Gen. Rosecrans gets the nine new regiments
Of State militia for which he has issued a call,
no will DO able to suppress Sccessionism and
treason.
II is, however. evident that the thorough paci-
fication Of Missouri, aud tho security of the
Unconditional Unionists, will l-rgely depend
on the issue Of the approaching State election.
There will be only two tickets in the field that
have any chance OF success-tha: Of the con-
bined Conservatives" and that of the Rad
cal Unonists." The former to BE- successful
must poll the votes Of all the Secession sympa- |
thizers, Pro-Siayery Democrats, and Conscrva-
tiyes. The majority of this party shows 10 the
Anti-Slayery policy Of the Government and to
the Radical Unionists Of the State q much |
greater hostility than tho present Provisional |
Government. II is, therefore, fair TO expect |
that, if the approaching election should result in
favor of the Conservatives, new obstacles viii /
arise TO the eradication of treason and Slavery, |
and scverer persecution will await the Radical !
Unionists. The success of the Conservative |
ticket would DO terrible blow to the cause Of
freedom, and to the prosperity and prospects
of tho State Of Missouri.
On the other hand, it cannot be doubted that,
If the State Government Of Missouri in oil Us |
branches, should earnestly cooperate with the
military commander and the other officers of
the Federal Government. guerrilla warfare and
per;ecution and murder OF Unionists would
soon be as completely suppressed in Missouri aS
in MARYLAND and Delaware. The approaching
election is, therefore, of the utmost importance
A glance nj the result of the last election shows
that the Radical party can expect victory |
only if they bring out their whole strength and
prevent all boiling. Agar ago, tho parties
were about equal in strength The Conserva-
.iyes carried tho State, because they managed
TO have o portion of the soldiers vote thrown |
out. Since then, it is fair to presume That the
progress of the war has made many new con-