Year: 1861




Mr.. NOEL said he had been asked in The
canvass what he would do when all the
other border States had gone out Of the u
nion, and replied that he thought if the duty
of Missouri to follow them, , geH.5


Mr.. Norton said he was sent to inangu'
rate policy TO preserve the Union, and he
believed the Convention had its hands full
with the present difficulties, without look
ing ahead. He did not believe any such
event would occur, and opposed the amend
ment. -1s.


Mr., Phillips stated that the question i'm
piled in the amendment had frequently beer
put to him during the canvass, and his an
swer was that he was in favor Of cooper.
ating with the border States TO adjust ouI
difficulties. But if all efforts should fail
he was in favor, not as a remedy but as q
last resort, of Missouri linking herself with
the border States. He was. however, op-
posed to ultimatums, and if this amendment
was passed, it would go before the people
with bad effect. 1t was like going be.
fore the North with compromise in one
hand and bludgeon in the other, saying il
you won't take this we will force you 10
take that.


Mr.. Ray opposed the amendment because
it would be construed as an uItimatum.


Mr.. Redd went into lengthy explana-
ton Of his vote. He objested TO the amend
ment because it was not bold enough. II
ought to say that Missouri will stand by
her sisters out of the Union, but he would
vote aye, as it was perhaps all that could
be had,


Mr.. Richey considered himself instructed
to vote nay.


Mr.. Sawyer explained the position he
assumed before his constituents, which was
favorable TO the Crittenden amendments,
and therefore he thought this amendment
was poor. .--.... ..


Mr., Shackslford, of Howard. 1, is with
shame and modification iha, see such an
amendment as this offered in this Conven-
ton. I do not mean anything disparaging
to the gentlemen who are supporting it,
am willing to concede 10 them the patriot.
ism that is burning in my own feart. But
sir, have they looked at the consequences
of the passage of that amendment; Have
they considered? Why, sir, the curse OF
our country-that which has brought US to
our present deplorable cendiiion-is the
practice Of designing politicians to Look into
the future and imagine evils and excite the
spprehensions of the people because such
and such thing may or may not happen.
Has not that been the curse under which
we have been laooring? Is not that what
we have been con!ending against? Has
not that brought us 10 this verge of ruin!-
And now do not my friends consider-for
want 10 call them my friends and my
brethren-,he effect of this? They tell us
they want TO take this question outside Of
party politics. Yes, sir, take it from The
arena of National politics; and where do
they want to put it? Right at our own
doors. Right at our own doors to excite
our own people. Have the supporters OF
this amendment weighed the consequences
OF this? My friend from Marion says that
the refusal TO pass this amendment wou d
make ,ecessionisits by thousands. He says
that it is not his desire that such should be
the case, but it will have that effect. But
does he not see that the adoption Of this
amendment will be just suited to class Of
men whose doings are pernicious to the well
fare of the State? Does he not see that in
stead of pacifying the public mind he will
throw fre-brand among the people to be
taken up by petty politicians and designing
men for the purpose Of exciting our people
10 war among themselves? Why should
we express such sentiment as this, when
we'know that our constituents are faithful
to the Union, faithful TO the Constitution,
and have integrity as men and citizens and
will act with honor TO the State when the
exigency of the times calls. upon them TO
act? You might as we'll introduce reso-
luton in this body that the people Of Mis-
souri, are all honest men, and then tell u, if
We vote it down tha, ii will make disunion.
lists BY the thousand. -,


Mr.. President, such resolution as this
is an insult to my constituents, because it
puts in to the hands OF politicians and men
who have not particle Of interest in the
slave question, The power TO exelte an agi-
tation among our people which will destroy
our institutions.


Mr.. President, I think it is far prefera.
BILE that we should present these and SINH.
liar propositions through our delegates in a
Convention Of the States. We can there