Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-01-26
Missouri-Gov. FIetcher's Mes
snge-lluman Rights.

Four years ago, the State of Mis-
souri, gave 1925 votes for Pro-Slav
cry candidates for Governor to 6,135
for the Republican candidate; but one
Of the 6,135 was cast we understand)
by Thomas G. Fletcher, who was
chosen Governor last November-the
successful candidate in go, with one of
his competitors, having meantime turn
ed traitors and been driven from the
State. Gov. Fletcher's vote last Fall
was 1881 to 30,406 for Thomas. L.
Price, his sole competitor; and not
only is his majority the largest ever
given In the State for any man, but he
is backed by Constitutional Conven-
ton overwhelmingly Radical and
Legislature of like precious faith. That
Legislature. was addressed by Governor
Fletcher on its assembling In Mes
sage which has the ring Of genuine
metal. Witness the following pas
sages:
SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES, In
the name OF Truth, of Justice, of Freedom
and Of progress, God has permitted us
political triumph, bringing with it the
solemn responsibility Of promoting those
great principles by an enforcement Of the
fundamental law for securing the peace,
happiness and prosperity Of the people Of
the State.
Through the blood and fire of civil war,
we have attained to new era, effulgent
with the glory Of the decree of the, People
in thoir sovereign capacity. emancipating
themselves from servitude to principles and
policies which have weighed down their
energies, opposed barriers to their progress
and armed the hand of Treason for the
shedding of patriot blood.
The only instance in the worlds history
Of a rebellion against an existing govern.
mont, in the nalne and for the sake of Slay-
cry, has resulted in the enlargement of Lib
erty; and the retributive Nemesis has sent
the system Of Slavery crashing dowa to
hopeless destruction in the confagration of
a civil strife, lighted by its own hand.
All men fit to be citizens and partakers Of
the common rights accorded mon in oiviliz-
ed communities must regard and treat as
tinal aud conclusive .the recent deliberate
and solemn verdict of tho people Of Mis-
souri, rendered in the full exercise of reason
restored by the calamities of tho war, in
favor of closing the gates of Janus and re-
storing the power Of tho civil law, and
against the mad attempts to defy the au-
thority of the National Government. The
civilized world, which has been observant
Of, not less than our own community, which
has been participant in this unparalleled
conflict, must in that verdict acknowledge
that the position Of Missouri, in the van
OF the free and progressive States whose
attachment to the Union defes earthly now
or to rend, is as enduring as our own eternal
and solid mountains Of iron, which, based in
the deep center Of our State, lift their firm
brows toward tho sky 10 colossal majesty.
Being victorious everywhere, let mar.
nanimity now distinguish our action; and,
having nothing more to ask for party, lat
us, forgetful OF past differences. seek only
TO promote the general good of the people
OF the whole commonwealth. While, there
fore, We lot past dangers teach us provision
ior future security, let us welcome 10 a par.
ticipation in our coming prosperity and
greatness as q State, oil who unite with us
10 upholding. and defending the authority
Of the Constitution Of the United States
and of the State Of Missouri, of the laws
enscted in pursuance thereof, and of the
officers selected for their enforcement,
Behind US We leave the wrecks of old in.
stitutions. and all the bitter memories of the
terrible Past, retaining only tho lessons of
wisdom our experience Of them has taught
us. Before US, glowing with promise and
fruitful with hope, is the mighty Future
but be assured that, in re adjusting The
framework OF our torn community to its re-
quirements, we shall need, to enable us To
grasp that promise and realize that hone.
all the energies Of our 'ruest and boat citi
Henceforth, Missouri shall be On asylum
for all nationalities aud races and peoples;
the repository Of wealth, and theater for
the development of tho labor and enterprise
Of the hand and spirit Of industry, and the |
home OF free thought, free speech and
Tree press, where the prej of caste and |
class have no legal embodiment or political
announcement. She she'll be central
mart for the interchange of the products of |
the North and the South, the East and the
West. through the rivers OF her great hssin
and the system Of railways centering In har |
metropolis. She shall be a higbway for
the commerce OF the two oceans horne hv
theinland transit lines that carry the fra;sh,s
between Europe and Asia. She shall pssfF.
or as scure and guarded respose to ali con-.
sciences and all religious beliefs, united by