Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-23
AT WASHINGTON,
The President and the Missouri
gu N Delegation.
Troubles in Missouri-G Government
80 Protection Promised.
Gen. Blair Recommended for Secre-
tary of War.


New York, August 2l.-The World $
special says the Missouri delegation TO
the Philadelphia Convention yesterday
called upon the President. The mem
beers of the delegation present numbered
Major General Morgan L. Smith, three
brigadier generals, and several colonies,
all of whom had seen service, and a num-
Der of the wealthiest and most influential
citizens of Missouri, among them Chas.
NJ. Ellard, Chas G. Moore and ex.Gov.
King.
The delegation was introduced by the
Hon. John Hogan, of Missouri, and Col.
James o. Broadhead, stepping forward,
said
1t gives me pleasure to congratulate
you on the important events which have
recently taken place in Philadelphia.
| am happy to be able to say that the
hearts of the people of our State are in
perfect accord with that movement, and
fully sustain your national policy. But
Missouri to-day does not posses a re-
publican form of government, and, al
though we are not here to-day to ask any
action on the part of yourself or any
other branch of the government, the day
NAV come when it will be necessary for
us to fall back upon the General Govern
ment, and ask it to guarantee to us
republican form of government; for we
are now subjected to the tyranny OF
faction that has deprived our people of
both religious and civil liberty | will
now present you, Mr. President, these
papers containing brief statement OF
the condition of affairs in Missouri, and
which hope you will examine at your
leisure. We feel it important that you
should know, and that the country
should know, our true condition.
Ex-Gov. Austin o. King then said:
Mr.. President, we would also call your
attention to the fact that the Offices in
the disposal of the Federal Government
are now in the hands of the enemies OF
the Conservative Union men Of the
State | might refer to particular
names, but will now simply ask you to
look into the matter, with such attention
to il as it deserves, and with reference to
A change therein. We feel that the
Federal Offices in our State have been
accidentally or otherwise so filled as to
put great power into the hands of those
who are the greatest obstacles to the
restoration Of order and liberty in the
State. We would not ask action in this
matter but that it is necessary to have
change in this for the good of the people,
and to enable them in accordance with
their desires to sustain the administra-
ton; the greatest obstacle to their
doing SO being those holders of
Federal offices who are now using all
their influence against the restoration of
harmony in the State. presume not to
know how you feel in this matter but the
New Hampshire delegation have spoken
at length upon it; and ] would not have
referred to it only that in Missouri we
are more peculiarly situated than are the
people of any State in the Union. Our
people feel oppressed and borne downby
bayonets. We are threatened by 1t, and
unless some steps are taken by you to
relieve us from the military government
of that department, our people must con-
tinue powerless But il some demon
stration was made, some show of protec-
ton by the Federal Government, some
assurance that it will protect them in all
their rights, they would go fearlessly to
the polls and cast their votes for the
Union.
We do not ask that any man shall vote
who cannot take the oath of loyalty. On
the contrary, we have always inculcated
il. and insisted that they must take the
test oath or not present themselves TO
vote at all But j say such is the state
of feeling among the people, that unless
they can have some assurance of having
protection given them by the Federal
Government, there are thousands who
will not go to the polls, though they
could conscientiously vote.
The late proclamation by the Governor
Of the State, is an additional source of
intimidation, and we think that there
might be means through the military
commander of that department, to
restore peace and order. But while the
Governor rules, every step he takes is
calculated TO set us back. Three-fourths
of the loyal men Of the State are now
disfranchised under the government they
have If We can in any manner gain
the assurance Of the general Govern
meut that II will stand by the people,
onr success is certain. In the absence
of that, / have no guarantee that a
single man wOnld come forward in sup
port Of your administration.
la speaking Of appointments, / know
there may have been circumstances I'M
der which certain questionable appoint
ments and removals were inevitable but
in the future these circumstances can
have no control.
The President in answer, said: We
will try to perform everything that de.
ponds upon us here, and think you will
find the protection of the Government,
as far as practicable, afforded to you.
General Hancock will be upon the
ground and give you every possible as.
distance within the legitimate sphere OF
his duties. =,
Ex-Gov. King remarked: We should
like il if be could be put in the fore
ground
To this the President replied: He is
the commandant Of that department
Col. .Broadhead said: i am instructed
by the delegation TO present TO you this
paper, which recommends an appoint
mept 70 the War Office. Ii is said that
certain changes are about to be made,
and without knowing that they are, upon
the simple possibility we take great plea
sure in presenting the name Of Gen.
Blair for the position. | may add that
il is Endorsed by every member OF the
delegation from Illinois, with one or two
n i. ~~r.Ns he