The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-06-09
GovERxoR THOMAS 6. REYNOLDS.

We have already mentioned the fact that this
distinguished Charlestonian has recently re-
| turned to the Governor OF Missouri the original
great seal Of that State, which was removed
from the seat Of government by order of
Claiborne +. Jackson, in 1891. The seal was
enoased in a neat ebony box, and accompanied
by the following letter:
ST. LOUIS. Mo-. May 26, 1869.
10 HIS E1ce0ency J. " Mo cClsoq:
S1R-Any hesitation formerly felt on princi-
| pies of general public law. or On account nf
conAiotiDg opinions within tho State. to deliver
| TO It's existing government the original greet
seal Of the State OF Missouri, was removed by
the fact that in November last, for the first
time since 1860, State officers were chosen in
profound peace, at an election held through
out It's territory. l therefore to you, as the
| chief magistrate chosen at that election, here
with transmit 1T. - RI 7
Now of no official value 1t is still interesting
ye. divided the Missour,ans. May it's return
be an augury Of tho speedy oblivion OF past
strife and the complete restoration of frater-
nal feeling among us all.
remain, sir, with great respect, your obedi-
ent servant, THOMAS G. RB2NoIDs.
This gave rise to the following letters
STATE OF MISSOURI. FxEoUTivE DEpT..l
ClTz OF JREFERs0N, May "a 1859.
70 L Hon Fra'ois isodnnam. seorGsary Of State:
transmit to you, as its legal custodian, the ori-
ginal great seal OF the State Of Missouri, re-
ceived this day from the Hon. Thomas C. Rey-
nolds, together with his letter Of transmlttal,
Of the 26th instant. and copy Of the acknow-
ledgment Of the same,
lam, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. w. MoCLURe.
STATE OF MISSOURI. EXECUTIVE DEp'T.,l
CRY OF JEFFERSON, May AZ, 1869.
To Hon. Ihonos o. Reyn0ids:
I'm i'm NJ of 80
and your, accompanying letter were received
this morning. believe I will express the
feelings and sentiments OF every good citizen
10 saying it is gratifying to witness. not only
the return OF the old seal to Its original and
legitimate place from which it had unwarran-
tedly strayed, but the return Of an old and IN
fuentisl citizen to his legitimate duties.
We will preserve and reepect the seal as the
original government zeal OF the State Of Mis-
sour. and admire it for it's value. being found-
ed IN law, and will respect you for your manly
bly, expect from you the ref ction OF the char
acter Of one tried as pure gold 10 the refiner's
fire. Such expressions from such q source be-
ing virtual candid Acknowledgement of the
speedy oblivion OF past strife than volumes Of
abuse.
Be assured the present State administration
th s5o1 1 a :" . eeng
tion of every political privilege consistent with
State and nationa, safety.
have the honor OF transmitting the seal to
the Hon. Francis Rodnoan the Secretary or
State it's legal Dust, an together with your
letter and copy Of this acknowledgement.
am, very respectfully,
Your obed.eut servant.
J.W MoCLURa.
The st. Louis Republican. democrat, } of
May %, in publishing these letters, says:
Our readers know that we severely condemn.
ed the acuon o. the seced,ng Sa o officers;
that we maintained the absol te legitimacy Of
the provisional gov rnment instituted by the
convention elected BY tie people; that We de-
MED that any legality attached 10 :sle acts of
those state officers who. after abandoning the
seat OF government and tue State. Sousht to
perform the same official functions as before.
agreeing with MIR. REYNOLDS in reference to
any hesitation to return the seal s'on prlnci-
pies OF general Iublic law, or ORA account
hese "nona Tasnn ane
afected by the election Of 1868 than that OF
1864. nor ls the present State administration
any more the representative OF the popular
are glad 10 commend the curse Of Mr.. Rey-
nolds ih restoring the original great seal, not
withstanding it isl now, as he Gays, Of no ofa-
{ We hardly see that Mr.. Reynolds letter to
Governor McCiurg just,fies tic interpretation.
the latter gives it. We do OF and IN it's manly
and b norable expressions a' virtual candid
aoknowledG edGement Of the authority or the gov
ernment." Mr.. +. merely accepts the status
quo, and does not stultify his past course by
any confession as to the questions Of law OF
however, that the Governor. whose inaugural
address seemed somewhat uncompromislDg, ia
now willing to welcome the return Of so pro-
nounced q ''rebel" as Mr.. Reynolds, and ex-
good citizen in saying so. The ex-Lieut-
enant Governor Is no longer e'traitor.
whose hands are imbrued with the blood
Of loyal oitlssns.n but .'an old and iniiu--.
that the Executive takes occasion TO remark
that the present State adnsnisMtt M ation desires
a RESTORATION OF frasernal feeling" and that
of Ssvsry political privilege cons,stent with
State and national safety" No one contends
that State and national safety requires the CON-
tinued dislranchisement OF "old and inauen-
tial citisens: Peace ne'gns throughout the
land. Rebellion 10 dead beyond resurrection
Let the restoration OF pOlitlcM privileges
which have been 90 long denied. be at once con-
the .grest seal OF the State" shall be applied
be to stamp official spprobation upon an ectto
wipe o1t the tyranny which now oppresses the
people. I ~ sig ~ .as5 :s.
The Kansas City Times prints the following
article upon the saane general subject: y.
Several days ago, ex-Goverror Reynolds,
returned 70 his old home in sc. Louis. The
elegant bearing and accomplished digu,ty Of
the man has not deserted hmm IN his long alb
sence; anu IN looking at hina one can still see
that the placid yet aery Genius which saw
faxther and worked more inteiligentiv than that
Of any Olher in the Trans- Mississippi Depart
ment, Is still the sanle--cOuchant, plant.
wise, ready for the future, and ready for any.
thing. The Governor wlll resume the practice
Of law in st. Louis, aud serve to Ornament o
har hat has had for examples snHh men as
Benton. Bates. 0eyer, Wright, Gamble, and
Lakeland. m
I'm passing through Washington City on his
way TO blchrnond Goyetnor Reynolds mst
General Bshcock; General Gran Privats GecA
An invitation Was gwen to call lupon the PresI-,
dent, and as he returned the Governor was
cordially received ana had o very pleasant and
friendly interview with taenerat Grant. poh-
ties were not discussed. General Grant was
kind and affable, AND iustsuch yisits as these
and just such receptions of the time and great
men of the Lcstederacy as these will go far. ~
bring about that era ofyreal pehce which is so
much desired hz ~. .r@v a3f
GOyesnor Reynolds has in his possession the
u oA J-xAr a rNk- t.