vision among ourselves. "United we stand, I scatter them to the winds; while tardy action, divided we fall." I particularly address myself like the gentle South wind, will only meet with to those who, though Southern in feeling, have Northern frosts, and advance and recede, and permitted a love of peace to lead them astray like the seasons, will be like the history of the from the State cause. You now see the State war, and will last forever. Come now, strike authorities about to assert with powerful forces while the iron is hot! Our enemies are whipped their constitutional rights; you behold the most in Virginia. They have been whipped in Miswarlike population on the globe, the people of souri. General Hardee advances in the centre, the lower Mississippi valley, about to rush with Gen. Pillow on the right, and Gen. McCulloch their gleaming bowie knives and unerring rifles on the left, with 20,000 brave Southern hearts to to aid us in driving out the abolitionists and our aid. So leave your ploughs in the furrow, their Hessian allies. If you cordially join our and your oxen in the yoke, and rush like a torSouthern friends, the war must soon depart Mis- nado upon our invaders and foes, to sweep them souri's borders; if you still continue, either in from the face of the earth, or force them from apathy or in indirect support of the Lincoln the soil of our State! Brave sons of the Ninth Government, you only bring ruin on yourselves District, come and join us! We have plenty of by fruitlessly prolonging the contest. The road ammunition, and the cattle on ten thousand to peace and internal security is only through hills are ours. We have forty thousand Belgian union with the South. We will receive you as muskets coming; but bring your guns and musbrothers, and let bygones be bygones; rally to kets with you, if you have them; if not, come the Stars and Bars in union with our glorious without them. We will strike your foes like a ensign of the Grizzly Bear. Southern thunderbolt, and soon our camp fires will illuminate the Merrimac and Missouri. Come, turn out! JEFF THOMPSON, Brig-General Commanding. Doc. 150. A "NAVAL ENGAGEMENT." FROM a gentleman of the highest respectabil The Confederate State forces, under the gallant Pillow, have entered Missouri on the invitation of Governor Jackson, to aid us in expelling the enemy from the State; they should therefore be received by every patriotic citizen as friends and allies. By virtue of the powers vested in the Governor by the act before mentioned, approved May, 1861, entitled "An act to authorize the Governor of the State of Missouri to suppress rebellion and repel invasion," I do hereby, as acting Governor of Missouri, inity-who was an eye-witness of the fight-we the temporary absence of Governor Jackson, authorize, empower, and request General Pillow to make and enforce such civil police regulations as he may deem necessary for the security of his forces, the preservation of order and discipline in his camp, and the protection of the lives and property of the citizens. By virtue of the same act I also extend like authority to Brigadier-General Thompson, from whose military experience and spirit brilliant services are confidently expected, in his command of the Missouri State Guard in this district. THOMAS C. REYNOLDS, NEW MADRID, Mo., July 31, 1861. Doo. 149. THOMPSON'S PROCLAMATION. AUGUST 1, 1861. HEAD-QUARTERS MISSOURI STATE GUARD, MISSOURIANS! STRIKE FOR YOUR FIRESIDES AND YOUR To the People of Missouri: have the particulars of an engagement which occurred on last Friday at Horn Island Pass, between a Federal steam-frigate, supposed to be the Niagara, and the little Confederate privateer, J. O. Nixon. The Nixon, wishing to avail herself of the fair wind, left Pascagoula Bay last Friday morning, intending to go Yankee hunting on the deep blue sea. When about twelve miles from Horn Island Pass, she discovered a large Federal steamer ahead, attempting to cut her off. The Nixon tacked and stood in again for the Pass, and reached the bar about a mile ahead of the Federalist. The latter then opened fire on her at that distance; the Nixon immediately responded, and the exchange of shots was carried on for about twenty minutes. In the mean time the little Lake steamer Arrow came up, and when within range of the Federalist, let slip some of her 32's at the Yankees. At about twenty minutes after the firing commenced, the Federalist, with three of the Nixon's heavy pills in her hull, got up a big head of steam, and crowding on every inch of canvas she could use, made regular Manassas time seaward. Not the slightest injury was received by the Nixon or the steamer Arrow, whilst it is thought that the additional weight of those three balls which were lent the Federalist by the Nixon, may impede her progress to some extent. She has not been seen in that quarter Having been elected to command the gallant sons of the First Military District of Missouri in the second war of independence, I appeal to all whose hearts are with us, immediately to take the field. By a speedy and simultaneous assault on our foes, we can, like a hurricane, I since. -New Orleans Delta, August 5. Doc. 151. INAUGURAL OF GOVERNOR GAMBLE, gentlemen of the convention, no better idea of my devotion to what I believe to be the interest of the State, than I do now, if you could only understand the reluctance with which I accept the election with which you were pleased to honor me. But yet, gentlemen, with all that has been said of the good result to be accoinplished by me, it is utterly impossible that any one man can pacify the troubled waters of the State; that any one man can still the commotion now running throughout our borders. No man can do it. You, as you go forth to mingle with your fellow-citizens throughout the land, look back upon this election as an experiment that is about to be tried to endeavor to pacify this community, and restore peace and harmony to the State. It is an experiment by those whose interests are with your interests, and who are bound to do all in their power to effect this pacification of the State. DELIVERED AT JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., aug. 1. Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention-I feel greatly oppressed by the circumstances under which I now stand before you. After a life spent in labor, I had hoped that I would be permitted to pass its evening in retirement. I have never coveted public office, never desired public station. I have been content to discharge my duties as a private citizen, and I hoped such would be my lot during the remainder of my life. Circumstances seemed to make it a duty for me, when the convention was first elected, to agree to serve as one of its members, because the condition of the State and country at large seemed to demand that every citizen of the State should throw aside his own preferences, choice, and even his own scheme of life, if necessary, in order to serve It may be we have not adopted the best plan the country. In accordance with what I re- or the best mode of securing the object which garded as an obligation every citizen owes to we desire; but we have done what seemed to the community of which he is a member, I al- us in our maturest judgment best calculated to lowed myself to be chosen as a member of this accomplish it. And now, gentlemen, when you body. I came here and endeavored, as far as go forth to mingle with your fellow-citizens, it I could, to serve the best interests of the State, must depend upon you what shall be the result and you now have chosen to put upon me a still of this experiment. If you desire the peace of more onerous and still more distasteful duty-a the State-if you earnestly desire it-then give duty from which I shrink. Nothing but the this experiment a fair trial; give it a full opmanner in which it has been pressed upon me portunity of developing all its powers of restorever would have induced me to yield my per- ing peace. I ask you-I have a right to ask of sonal objections to it. The members of this every member of this convention that he and body, in the present distracted state of the I should so act together as will redound to country, have come to me since it was clearly the common good of our State. I feel that I manifest that the office of Provisional Governor have a right to ask, when you have by your would be made, and have urged that I should voice placed me in such a position, that you allow myself to fill that position. Nor was it shall unite with me your efforts and voice, inthe action of any political party-inen of all stead of endeavoring to prevent the result we parties have united in it. Those who have be- all desire. Unite all your efforts so that the longed to the parties that have all departed in good which is desired may be accomplished; the midst of the present difficulties and trials and with the blessing of that Providence which of the country have united in making this ap-rules over all affairs, public and private, we may plication to me. They have represented that accomplish the end for which we have labored, my long residence in the State and the familiar and which shall cause all the inhabitants of the acquaintance of the people with me would in- State to rejoice. sure a higher degree of confidence, and better secure the interests, the peace, and order in the community than would be consequent on the selection of any other person. I resisted. God knows there is nothing now that I would not give within the limits of any thing reasonable, in order to escape being appointed. But when it was said to me by those repesenting the people of the State that I could contribute, by assuming this public trust, to secure the peace of Missouri, in which I have lived for more than forty years, that I might secure the peace of those who are the children of fathers with whom I was intimate, I thought it my duty to serve. It is, therefore, an entire yielding up; it is the yielding of all my own schemes, of all my own individual wishes and purposes, when I undertake to assume this office. I could give you, Gentlemen of the convention, what is it that we are now threatened with? We apprehend that we may soon be in that condition of anarchy, in which a man when he goes to bed with his family at night does not know whether he shall ever rise again, or whether his house shall remain intact until morning. This is the kind of danger, not merely a war between different divisions of the State, but a war between neighbors, so that when a man meets those with whom he has associated from childhood, he begins to feel that they are his enemies. We must avoid that. It is terrible. The scenes of the French revolution may be enacted in every quarter of our State, if we do not succeed in avoiding that kind of war. We can do it if we are in earnest, and endeavor with all our power. So far as I am concerned, I assure you that it shall be the very highest object--the sole aim of every official act of mine-to make sure that | tions to the Constitution and laws of their the people of the State of Missouri can worship country, and I am free to say that I know of no their God together, each feeling that the man reason why they should not so act. Whatever who sits in the same pew with him, because might be said by citizens of other States, cerhe differs with him on political questions, is not tainly Missourians have no right to complain his enemy that they may attend the same com- of the general course of the Government of the munion and go to the same heaven. I wish United States. I believe it to be a fact that for every citizen of the State of Missouri that, there is no law of a general character upon when he meets his fellow-man, confidence in your statutes that has been enacted since Mishim may be restored, and confidence in the souri came into the Union, but had received the whole society restored, and that there shall be votes and support of the Representatives of the conversations upon other subjects than those people of this State. Whatever we have asked of blood and slaughter; that there shall be from the Government of the United States has something better than this endeavor to encour- been given to us most cheerfully. We asked a age hostility between persons who entertain | liberal land policy, and we got it; we asked different political opinions, and something more grants for our railroads, and we got them; we and better than a desire to produce injury to asked for a fugitive slave law, and it was given those who may differ from them. to us; we asked that our peculiar views in reference to the finances of the country should short, I feel, I may safely say, that if the people of this State had had the whole control of the Federal Government, if there had been but one State in the Union, the very policy which has been adopted by the General Government would have been adopted as best calculated to advance the interests of the State. Gentlemen, if you will unite with me, and carry home this purpose to carry it out faith-be regarded, and even that was granted. In fully, much can be accomplished, much good can be done; and I am persuaded that each one of you will feel that it is his duty, his individual duty-for in this case it is the duty of every American citizen to do all he can for the welfare of the State. I have made no elaborate preparations for an address to you on this occasion, but I have come now to express to you my earnest desire that we shall be found cooperating for the same common good in which each one of us is equally interested; that, although differing as to modes and schemes, we shall be found united in the great work of pacification. Mr. Hall, the Lieut.-Governor, on taking the official oath, remarked as follows: Gentlemen of the Convention, I appreciate highly the honor conferred upon me, by my election to the office of Lieutenant-Governor of the State. When I reflect upon the embarrassments and difficulties which surround that position, I cannot but regret that your choice has not fallen upon another individual. I concur with the gentleman who has been elected Governor, and who has just addressed you, in deprecating the state of things which now exist in the State of Missouri. We are in the midst of a civil war, and I can only say that I will unite my energies with him to do all that we can to mitigate its horrors and shorten its duration. Gentlemen, it is scarcely necessary for me to say that my opinion as to the causes of our domestic difficulties has been sufficiently exemplified by my acts and words since I have been a member of this body. It can scarcely be necessary for me to say that, in my opinion, our difficulties have been produced almost solely, if not entirely, by an effort upon the part of certain of our officers and citizens to dissolve our connection with the Federal Government. I believe, gentlemen, that to Missouri union is peace, and disunion is war. I believe that today Missouri could be as peaceful as Illinois, if her citizens would have recognized their obliga It is true, gentlemen, that, owing to divisions among us, private and sometimes public rights have been violated; but I believe I cannot be mistaken as to the real cause of the troubles which are now upon us. I believe there is no need, and there never has been any need, of a civil war in this State. I believe we should have had none, if the views of this Convention, as expressed in March last, had been carried out; and I believe if we will return to these views, civil war will cease within our borders. It shall, therefore, gentlemen, be my duty, my pride, as well as my pleasure, to do all that I can for both the success and prevalence of those views in this State, while I have the honor to hold the position which you have conferred upon me. Notwithstanding the denunciations we sometimes hear against the Government of the United States and the assaults made upon it, I am free to admit that, when I reflect upon the history of this State, when I remember its humble origin, when I look upon the proud and exalted position that it occupied but a few months ago, my affections do cluster around the Government of my country. As a Missourian, I desire no change in the political relations that exist between this State and the Government of the United States, and least of all do I desire such a change as will throw her into the arms of those who have proved unfaithful to the high trust imposed upon them by a generous and a confiding people. Mr. President, I am ready to take the oath. Mr. Oliver, Secretary of State elect, followed in a few remarks of similar import as those of Messrs. Gamble and Hall. Doc. 152. DEBATE IN THE U. S. SENATE ON THE BILL FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF INSUR- THE bill to suppress insurrection and sedition being taken up: Mr. Cowan (of Pa.) moved that it be postponed till December. Mr. Bayard (Del.) thought that was the best disposition that could be made of the bill. He thought it unconstitutional. Mr. Harris (N. Y.) also spoke in favor of its postponement, and thought it very important. The bill was too important to be matured this session in the temper of the Senate and the temperature of the place. He was inclined to think that necessities of a case give a military commander all the power needed. clares that this conflict must be carried on under the rules of war, and admits that some things must be done contrary to the Constitution. I desire that the country should know the fact that constitutional limitations are no longer to be regarded, and let the people once get the idea that this is a war, not under the principles of the Constitution, but a conflict in which two great people are against each other, for whom the Constitution is not, but for whom the laws of war are, and I venture to say that the brave words we hear now about subjugation and conquest, treason and traitors, will be glibly altered the next time the Representatives of States meet under the dome of the Capitol. Then if the Constitution is really to be put aside, and the laws of war are to govern, why not act upon it practically. I do not hold that the clause of the Constitution which authorizes Congress to declare war applies to any internal difficulties; nor do I believe that the Constitution of the United States ever contemplated the preservation of the Union by one-half of the States warring on the other half. It provides for putting down insurrection, but it does not provide for the raising of armies by one-half of two political communities of this Confederacy for the purpose of subjugating the other half. If this is a case of war, why not treat it like war? Practically it is treated so. The prisoners are not hung as rebels. It is a war, and, in my opinion, not only an unhappy war, but an unconstitutional war. Why, then, does the Administration re Mr. Breckinridge (Ky.) said he should vote for its postponement. He was glad to see the Senate at last pause before one bill. He wished it were published in every newspaper in the country. He thought it would meet with universal condemnation. He thought this would abolish all State Government and destroy the last vestige of political and personal liberty. Mr. Trumbull, of Illinois, contended that some bill of the kind was necessary from the exigencies of the times. The Constitution is in danger, and we have voted men and money to carry on the war to save the Constitution, and how can we justify ourselves without maturing a bill so much needed? Give the bill the go-fuse to send or receive a flag of truce, and all by, and let the Constitution be violated every those acts which might at least ameliorate the day because we would not pass it, but leave the unhappy condition in which we are placed? military to do as they please without restriction. So much, then, we know. We know that adMr. Breckinridge (Ky.) said the drama was mitted violations of the Constitution have been beginning to open, and the Senators who are made, and are justified, and are, by legislation, urging on the war are quarrelling among them- proposed still further to confer the authority to selves. The Senate had already passed a Gen-do acts not authorized or warranted by the eral Confiscation bill, and also a General Eman- Constitution. We have it openly avowed that cipation bill. The Police Commissioners of the Constitution, which is a bond at least beBaltimore were arrested without any law, and tween those States that adhere to it, is no carried off to an unknown place, and the Presi- longer to be regarded as that bond of Union. dent refused to tell the House what they were It is not enough to tell me that it has been arrested for and what had been done with violated by seceded States. It has not been them. Yet they call this liberty and law! violated by those States that have not seceded, Gentlemen mistake when they talk about and if the Constitution is thus to be put aside, the Union. The Union is only a means of pre- these States may pause to inquire what is to serving the principles of political liberty. The become of their liberties. Mr. President, we great principles of liberty existed long before are on the wrong track, and we have been from the Union was formed. They may survive it. the beginning, and the people are beginning to Let gentlemen take care that they do not sever see it. We have been hurling hundreds to all that remains of the Federal Government. death. The blood of Americans has been shed These eternal principles of liberty, which lived by their own hands, and for what? They have long before the Union, will live forever some-shown their prowess and bravery alike, and for where. They must be respected. They cannot with impunity be overthrown, and if you force the people to the issue between any form of government and these priceless principles of liberty, that form of government will go down. The people will tear it asunder as the irrepressible forces of nature rend asunder all that opposes them. The Senator from Vermont de what? It has been to carry out principles that three-fourths of them abhor. For the princi ples contained in this bill, and continually avowed on the floor of this Senate, are not shared, I will venture to say, by three-fourths of your army. I said, sir, we have been on the wrong track. Nothing but utter ruin to the North, to the South, to the East, and to the Mr. Baker-Pick out that one which is in your judgment most clearly so. Mr. Breckinridge-They are all, in my opinion, so equally atrocious that I dislike to discriminate. I will send the Senator the bill, and I tell him that every section except the last, in my opinion, violates the Constitution of the United States; and of that last section I express no opinion. Mr. Baker-I had hoped that that respectful suggestion to the Senator would enable him to point out to me one, in his judgment, most clearly so, for they are not all alike—they are not equally atrocious. West will follow the prosecution of this contest. | I would propose, with my habitual respect for You may look forward to innumerable armies him, (for nobody is more courteous and more and countless treasure to be spent for the pur- gentlemanly,) to ask him if he will be kind pose of carrying on this contest, but it will end enough to tell me what single particular proviin leaving us just where we are now; for, if sion there is in this bill which is in violation of the forces of the Union are successful, what on the Constitution of the United States, which I earth will be done with them after they are have sworn to support-one distinct, single conquered? Are not gentlemen perfectly satis- proposition in the bill. fied that they have mistaken a people for a fac- Mr. Breckinridge-I will state, in general tion? Have they not become satisfied that it terms, that every one of them is, in my opinis necessary to subjugate, conquer, even to ex-ion, flagrantly so, unless it may be the last. terminate a people? Don't you know it? I will send the Senator the bill, and he may Don't everybody know it? Does not the world comment on the sections. know it? Let us pause, then, and let the Congress of the United States respond to the uprising feeling all over this land in favor of peace. War is separation, in the language of an eminent Senator, now no more. It is disunion,-eternal, final disunion. We have separation now, and it is only much worse by war, and the utter extinction of all those sentiments which might lead to reunion. But let the war go on, and soon in addition to the moans of the widows and orphans all over this land, you will hear the cry of distress from those who want for food, and the comforts of life. The people will be unable to pay the grinding taxes which a fanatical spirit will attempt to impose upon them. Let the war go on, and the Pacific slope, now doubtless devoted to the Union, when they find the burden of separate conditions, then they will separate. Let it go on, until they see the beautiful pictures of the Confederacy beaten out of all shape and comeliness by the war, and they will turn aside in disgust. Fight for twelve months, and this feeling will develop itself. Fight for twelve months more, and you will have three Confederacies instead of two. Fight for twelve months more, and we will have four. But I will not enlarge upon this. I am quite aware that what I say will be received with sneers of disgust by gentlemen from the North-west and the East, but the future will determine who is right and who is wrong. We are making a record here. I am met by the sneers of nearly all those who surround me. I state my opinions with no approving voices, and surrounded by scowls; but the time will come when history will put her private seal upon these proceedings, and I am perfectly willing to abide her final judgment. Mr. Baker-Mr. President, it has not been my fortune to participate in at any length, indeed, not to hear ery much of the discussion which has been going on-more I think in the hands of the Senator from Kentucky than anybody else upon all the propositions connected with this war; and, as I really feel as sincerely as he can an earnest desire to preserve the Constitution of the United States for everybody, South as well as North, I have listened for some little time past to what he has said, with an earnest desire to apprehend the point of his objection to this particular bill. And nowwaiving what I think is the elegant but loose declamation in which he chooses to indulge Mr. Breckinridge-Very nearly. There are ten of them. The Senator can select which he pleases. Mr. Baker-Let me try then, if I must generalize as the Senator does, to see if I can get the scope and meaning of this bill. It is a bill providing that the President of the United States may declare, by proclamation, in a certain given state of fact, certain territory within the United States to be in a condition of insurrection and war; which proclamation shall be extensively published within the district to which it relates. That is the first proposition. I ask him if that is unconstitutional? That is a plain question. Is it unconstitutional to give power to the President to declare a portion of the territory of the United States in a state of insurrection or rebellion? He will not dare to say it is. Mr. Breckinridge-Mr. President, the Senator from Oregon is a very adroit debater, and he discovers, of course, the great advantage he would have if I were to allow him, occupying the floor, to ask me a series of questions, and then have his own criticisms made on them. When he has closed his speech, if I deem it necessary, I may make some reply. At pres ent, however, I will answer that question. The State of Illinois, I believe, is a military district; the State of Kentucky is a military district. In my judgment, the President has no authority, and, in my judgment, Congress has no right to confer upon the President authority, to declare a State in a condition of insurrection or rebellion. Mr. Baker-In the first place, the bill does not say a word about States. That is the first answer. Mr. Breckinridge-Does not the Senator |