Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 1.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[364] of the Administration to take military possession under these pretexts of the whole State, and to reduce it, as avowed by Gen. Lyon himself, to the exact condition of Maryland. The acceptance by me of these degrading terms would not only have sullied the honor of Missouri, but would have roused the indignation of, every citizen, and have precipitated the very conflict it has been my desire to prevent. We refused to accede to them, and the conference was broken up.

Fellow-citizens, all our efforts towards conciliation have failed; we can hope nothing from the justice or moderation of the Federal agents in this State. They are energetically hastening the execution of their bloody and revolutionary schemes for the inauguration of civil war in your midst, and for the military occupation of your State by armed bands of lawless invaders,--for the overthrow of your State Government, and for the subversion of those liberties which the Government has a right to protect, and they intend to bring their whole power to subjugate you if possible to the military despotism which has assumed the powers of the Federal Government. Now, therefore, I, C. F. Jackson, Governor of Missouri, do, in view of the foregoing facts and by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution and laws of this commonwealth, issue this, my proclamation, calling the militia of the State, to the number of 50,000, into service of the State for the purpose of repelling such invasion, and for the protection of the lives, liberty, and property of the citizens of this State, and I earnestly exhort all good citizens of Missouri to rally to the flag of their State for the protection of their endangered homes and firesides, and the defence of their most sacred rights and dearest liberties. In issuing this proclamation, I hold it to be my most solemn duty to remind you that Missouri is still one of the United States, and that the executive department of the State Government does not arrogate to itself the power to disturb that relation. That power has been wisely vested in the convention which will, at the proper time, express your sovereign will, and that meanwhile it is your duty to obey all constitutional requirements of the Federal Government; but it is equally my duty to advise you--first, allegiance due to your own State, and that you are under no obligations whatever to obey the unconstitutional edicts of the military despotism which has introduced itself at Washington, nor submit to the infamous and degrading sway of its wicked minions in this State. No brave hearted Missourian will obey the one or submit to the other. Arise, then, and drive out ignominiously the invaders who have dared to desecrate the soil which your labors have made fruitful, and which is consecrated by your homes.