Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-01
RADICAL RrLE IN MISSOURI.

war Although the war IS over and peace
has been declared to reign throughout
the land, the men whoran riot over the law
during the progress Of the war seem not
to have accustomed themselves to the re-
straining Influences Of a state of peace
At least this is the case iu Missouri. where
the Radical Governor of that state has
recently ordered out the militia to quell
disturbances said to exist in Clinton.
Clay, Ray and Platte counties. and
where, according 70 well authenticated
accounts, the most utter disregard Of law
and individual rights was exhibited by
these same militia. The Richmond (Mo.)
CoHscycafoT, OF the 22d of December,
gives the following account Of the de-
struction Of one printing Office in that
town and the narrow escape Of another
by Gov. Fletcher's militia
Sunday evening q squad Of Major
Montgomery men, seven in number, act
ing under his orders, visited our city and
carried out their instructions by destroying
the fireman office, pieing the type, slightly
Injuring the press, and arresting Mr.. Barry
and ourselt. 1he destruction of the press
was accomplished in a few minutes. and
like fate would have beiallen the CCaserra-
Tor office, but Colonel Barr Colonel Waters,
and other Radicals interfered, and pre-
vailed upon the officer in command to dis
obey his orders in regard 10 our Office.
The work OF demolition was executed in
such quiet manner that but few persons
knew Of the transaction until after the
soldiers had left the place"
The It Louis Republican states that
the leading cause Of the destruction Of the
Office Of the freeman and the arrest OF
its editor. was the characterising as un-
true the following preamble Of Gov.
Fletcher's proclamation Of the 10th Of
December
" portion Of the State Of Missouri is
infested with murderers and robbers, who
defy the civil authority, and have the SYM
pathy and aid Of such number of the
people Of the counties where they have
their hauntE, and have so inundated or
obtained the sympathy of the local authori-
ties that peaceable and law-abiding citizens
are not secure in their persons and prop
erty."
The above was the reason given for
calling out twenty>lour companies of cav
airy and ten companies Of infantry, to
preserve the peace, protect the citizens Of
the State in their persons and property,
and to execute legal process on all viola
tors Of the law and bring them to trial
The St Louis Republican of the 10Th
ult, prints a communication from Judge
Walter King 10 the citizens of the fifth
Judicial circuit in Missouri, covering a
letter to him from uov Fletcher in re,
gard to the troubles in the Judges circuit,
which shows that the Governor, while
protesting confidence in the people is
acting solely in the interest of the party.
The Republican says
"The necessity Of such proceedings as
transpired in Ray county, for instance, Is
beautifully illustrated by the annexed re-
mark Of Governor Fletcher in his letter to
Judge King:
81 know that, with the exception of per
haps hall dozen rdgaJonds and loafers IN
each county, all The people, Radical and Con-
sei7dtie=sthe late Union solaier and The Con-
federate soldier, all alike. are darioas 10 hare
The uninterrupted Tuie Of GIRL authority, and
will unite as one people, with the common
interest and desire to secure TO each other
the protection Of the law for their persons
and property"
1.-THE comparison between the Governors
proclamation, in the objects ostensihly
sought to be accomplished, and the actual
result, would be interesting were there
time to make it, Suffice il TO say that the
militia have not protected the citizens Of
the State in their persons and property"
but on the contrary have robbed, beaten
and killed citizens; and have IN no case
executed illegal process"
The Republican asks some questions
in this connection which show that Gov.
Fletcher is actuated by political consid-
erations, and not the peace of the State in
what he has done That paper says:
Governor Fletcher is profuse in his ad-
vice with regard TO the duty Of the people
He says the people have forgotten TO a
great extent their duties and highest inter
ests in aiding the ministerial officers in
executing process. or, if need be, IN forcing
them 10 do So Again, he says: az will,
in default Of exertion on their part to pro-
tect the poor and friendless in their midst.
use the power given me by law for that
purpose, and they shall pay the expenses
attending each Interference on my part"
All this is very well. But let Governor
Fletcher show that he is sincere in asking
other persons to do their duty by first doing
his own. The outrages in Ray county
against personal liberty and the liberty of
the press were committed on the 10th inst.
by parties claiming TO act under the au-
thority Of the Governor. Why have not
these parties been arrested? The order for
the destruction of the freeman newspaper
was given by Major Montgomery. Up to
our latest accounts hewas still in command
at Lexington. Why have not the highway
robbers Of the United States Express Com
pany been arrested and brought TO trial?
Why has no notice been taken of the MUIR
ders that have been perpetrated in Lafay-
cite county since the military superseded
and drove out the civil officers?
" The zeal of Governor Fletcher in the
direction of forcing the leagal authorities
and the people 10 execute and obey the law
appears to break ont in spots. Why did
he not make the Radical authorities of
Webster county bring to justice the slayers
of the Rev. Mr.. Headlee, who was killed
for preaching the Gospel? Why did he not |
do the same in reference 10 the mobbing of
the Rev. Mr. Rice for 4 similar oifense in
De Kalb county, A short time ago II. |
I. McCune, Esq, was murdered in Petts |
county by Radical named McCanse. Why |
not overrun that county with militia2 The |
warrant for McCanse was handed over TO
the sheriff Of Jasper county, where it was
supposed the criminal had fed, and this |
Radical sheriff, as a Sedalia paper tells us,
promised 10 attempt the arrest, but ex-
pressed doubt whether il could he done or
not" Why not give the Radical county of
Jasper taste Of military justice? Miller
county is a rendezvous for a band Of as
graceless thieves and villains as ever went
unhung. Is Miller county saved because il
is the home Of Babcoke, the murderer of
the Wright family ?"
----------------
Ma. " W HOLDEN, who was Military
Governor of North Carolina, and assisted