NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
January and February 1863
From The Missouri Democrat, Friday, February 27, 1863.
MESSAGE OF GOV. REYNOLDS, OF MISSOURI.
The most readable item in our paper of this morning is the message of Gov. Thomas C. Reynolds, taken from a late Richmond paper. The recommendations of his Excellency will be duly considered by all those persons who “support the rebellion in Missouri headed by HAMILTON R. GAMBLE.” Can any comment do this buffoonery justice? We think not. We may be pardoned, perhaps, if we apply one single word. [T]hat word is – sublime.
RARE DOCUMENT.
Message of Governor Thomas C. Reynolds, of Missouri.
An Order of Sequestration Against All Persons who Support the Rebellion in Missouri, Headed by Hamilton R. Gamble.
General Price to Take Command West of the Mississippi.
Etc., Etc., Etc.
It is my painful duty officially to announce to you the death, in December last, of our distinguished Chief Magistrate, Claiborne F. Jackson. His ability, integrity and patriotism, and his services and sacrifices in our cause, will honorably perpetuate his name in our history.
Elected in 1860 Lieutenant Governor of our State, I am called by the Constitution to the Executive Chair. Confident that my authority is acknowledged by an overwhelming majority of the people, I have assumed the position of Governor of the State of Missouri. This announcement has been delayed in order that an examination of our affairs might enable me at the same time to address you more understandingly concerning them.
Their condition is hopeful, but imposes on me a responsibility to which I am wholly un-equal, unless sustained by the zealous and confiding support of every loyal Missourian, and favored by the Almighty Ruler of Nations, whose protection and guidance I reverently invoke.
Many of the inconveniences produced by the failure to elect a legislature in August last will be obviated by the act ofour last General Assembly, “to authorize the Governor of the State of Missouri to suppress rebellion and repel invasion,” approved May 10, 1861, and authorizing him, for these purposes, to take such measures as in his judgment he may deem necessary or proper.
The ruling principle of my official conduct will be a regard for the interests, rights and dignity of the whole people of Missouri; as well those within the State as those exiled from it. That principle enjoins harmony with the Confederate Government, and a zealous, energetic and trusting support of its efforts to secure the independence of all the Confederate States.
The enemy has persistently endeavored to inspire our citizens with distrust of the intentions of that Government toward Missouri. The most solemn public pledges have been given by the President and Congress of the Confederacy that its utmost powers will be exerted to maintain the territorial integrity of all the thirteen States composing it.
The President will direct those powers to that end. Cordial personal and official relations with him for nine years past enable me to assure you that, among his many great qualities, the most perfect sincerity is conspicuous. His pledge he will certainly redeem. Could you have witnessed the emotion with which he has heard the recital of your sufferings, you would know that no object lies nearer his heart than the liberation of Missouri. A friendship of twenty years’ standing with the Secretary of War justifies me in placing the most implicit trust in his assurances that his department will do its full duty toward our noble State. From his energy and administrative ability the best results may be expected.
Some timid friends apprehend that in a treaty of peace Missouri may be wholly or partially sacrificed to some supposed military necessity. These fears are ill-founded. During the existence of the armistice preceding a treaty, the voice of the people in every State will make itself heard on the question of a boundary between the North and the South. Community of interest and affinity of race will interpret the diplomatic jargon of the status quo and the usi possidatis; and the question to be settled by negotiation may be, not whether all the slaveholding States shall belong to our Confederacy, but whether non-slaveholding communities, not of New England origin, shall be admitted to into it.
But we must not fold our arms and expect others to fight our battles. All Missourians should strain their utmost energies to increase our power, both moral and physical. They should recruit the Confederate army by tens of thousands, so that, on the conclusion of an armistice, the general result of military operations may enable our negotiators to claim, with firmness, the limits which community of race and institutions naturally assigns to our Confederacy.
Missouri should be subjected to the evils of war only as far as they are unavoidable in the attainment of final success. As I advised you eighteen months ago, “partial uprisings, in defenseless positions, or without concert of action, are worse than useless.” While our right to raise troops throughout Missouri will be maintained, mere rambling predatory warfare should be abandoned.
The rights of our citizens to self-defense against an actual aggressor is sacred, but retaliation on the innocent for the acts of the guilty, should be regulated by the calm judgment of our highest authorities. The return of the Confederate troops to our State will take place as soon as the military position of affairs shall give a well grounded hope that it will remain there permanently. I have great confidence that such a return will begin at an early period; but, to hasten it, all patriotic Missourians able to do so, should speedily join the Confederate army, and those compelled to remain at home should quietly prepare to give it that support, in reliance on which its terms will be made.
Our enemies have begun a system by which we are compelled to carry on war at the risk of losing all our property; to make the contest fair and equal they should incur a like risk. Accordingly, in obedience to the general wish of our loyal citizens, and by virtue of the powers vested in the Governor of Missouri by the statute before mentioned, I have today issued an order of sequestration (subject to future modification, under the executive power of pardon and amnesty, and to the final action of the people) embracing all property, real and personal, now or hereafter owned by any person willingly supporting anywhere, at any time since May 10, 1861 or hereafter, the Government of the United States, or the rebellion in Missouri, headed by Hamilton R. Gamble.
This sequestration is for the purpose of indemnity to loyal citizens or residents of Missouri, for damages received anywhere, and to loyal citizens or residents of any of the other of the Confederate States, or Maryland, for the damages done in Missouri to the persons or property; also for the purpose of securing support to Missourians disabled, and the widows and orphans of Missourians dying from injuries, provided the damage, disability or injury be caused by the act of the enemy, or incurred in the service of Missouri or of the Confederate States, in the existing war.
The property sequestered is, for the moment, beyond our power, but the order is needed to define and amplify the terms of the contest, and assure our oppressed citizens of the intention of the State authorities to avenge their wrongs; it will also preclude future fraudulent claims of pretended innocent purchasers without notice, to whom portions of such property may be transferred. It is made extensive, because the amount of compensation required will depend on the future course of the enemy. Should that course be just and moderate, the estates of a few persistent malignants might suffice to balance the account, and a liberal amnesty would be granted to all others.
The conscript acts, clearly constitutional, with their provisions for filling up old regiments and organizing new; apply to all Missourians within any State which is not exempted in accordance with law; and all members of our State Guard, still in active service, should at once entered the Confederate army. Unity of command is essential to military efficiency, and all our troops in the field should be under direct control of our illustrious President, in whose consummate leadership we may all confide.
Except where important State interests are involved, I shall abstain from recommendations for positions under the Confederate Government. Applications for them should be sent directly to the proper department, or presented for the consideration of our congressional delegation, with which I desire to act in entire harmony.
A proper attention to my Executive duties will not permit frequent visits to the camps. Business will detain me here two or three weeks longer after the lapse of that time, and until a location of the Executive Office shall have been made west of the Mississippi river, communications to me should be directed to Jackson, Mississippi, from which place they will be forwarded to me.
Soldiers of Missouri: your Chief Magistrate fully shares your longing to return to our suffering state. He admits in no one greater cause to be impatient; for, in addition to nearly every motive which can actuate others, he is impelled by natural ambition to be restored to full possession of the first place in the Government of a great Commonwealth. The experience of exile, though among sympathizing friends, has but intensified our love for the metal hills, the verdant prairies, the majestic forests, the noble rivers of our Gem of the Valley.
But let not that long longing engender discontent or despondency. You have already gained what heroic men are ever willing to die for – a brilliant fame in history, a priceless heritage for your children. Add to it by serving your country with increased zeal, unmurmuring and unquestioning. It is only by God’s favor that man succeeds in his efforts. Deserve that favor by gratitude, patience and discipline. If, in some moment of weakness, any one of you is tempted to regard his hardships as too great to be borne, let him recall the sound counsel given you in a recent order of your gallant leader, Sterling Price. That “no past services however glorious, can save from dishonor him whom meanly deserts his country and his comrades in the hour of danger.”
Indignantly frowning down any attempt an insidious foe may make to diminish your affection for the Confederate Government. It has extended to us support and favor with a liberal hand,. While we have been unable to contribute to its revenues, it has supplied our State Treasury with millions. The first Major General not belonging to the military profession, who had been appointed by the president, was the distinguished chief officer of our State Guard. A witness of your soldierly qualities, the Commander in Chief of the Confederate armies fully appreciates your merits; confide implicitly in his desire to do you justice.
It is rarely safe to depart from the wholesome principle that troops should not know their destinations, but should cheerfully go wherever ordered. But I am authorized to assure you that your reunion on our side of the Mississippi, under Gen. Price, has been contemplated by the Confederate Executive, whose continuing purpose is that it shall take place as soon as you can be spared from the important positions you now defend; you should not desire it sooner. Meanwhile, hasten it by assisting your fellow countrymen to drive back invasion, and the turn in the tide of war will float us all back, on its foremost waves, in triumph to our homes.
THOS. C. REYNOLDS,
Governor of Missouri.
RICHMOND, VA., February 14, 1863.