NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
July/August 1861
From The Missouri Democrat, Friday, August 2, 1861.
THE NEW STATE GOVERNMENT.
During the session of the State Convention we have frankly indicated the line of policy which in our view was most likely to secure the ends desired by the Union men of the State. The vindication of the loyal State of Missouri from the distress and disgrace into which the machinations of traitors high in office had plunged it, was a task as honorable as it was arduous. The removal from office of those whose treason stood flagrant and confessed, the inauguration of a new State administration, and such further steps as should secure the fair and untrammelled exercise by a loyal State government of the powers thus committed to them by the people through their delegates in Convention—these in brief were the duties plainly before that body.
Those duties have been performed, and as we are well assured, upon the most earnest and anxious deliberation among the Union men of the convention. The traitor Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of State, have been hurled from the high offices and stripped of the powers which they sought to abuse. The legislature, which, with a few honored exceptions, were swift to carry out their treasonable plots, have shared their fall. The same Legislative Hall in which, at midnight, with muskets in their trembling hands, they blotted the Statute Book with the military bill and its kindred villanies, has witnessed the solemn inauguration of a man respected, trusted, honored throughout the State, as the loyal Governor of Missouri.
We print elsewhere the inaugural address of Governor Gamble. Without proposing, in this article, to comment upon it at length, we respond without delay or reserve to the appeal of the Governor for the support and co-operation of every loyal citizen, in his difficult and important duties. That those who agree in principle should differ in policy, while questions of policy are to be discussed, is not strange. But the policy of the Convention has been adopted. Delegates who thought with us, and whose views were earnestly urged and candidly considered, have, upon the fullest consideration, yielded their prejudices to those of the majority. We shall cordially unite with them. The loyalty of the new State administration to the National Government we do not doubt. It remains only to be seen whether those who, under color of State pride and State rights, have joined in lighting the fires of civil war in Missouri, will now obey the true voice of the people.