Missouri Convention-report of the Committee on Federal Relations.
After some unimportant proceedings in the Missouri Convention, Saturday, the
Chairman of the
Committee on Federal Relations presented the report of that Committee.
The report is long and carefully written, containing a full exposition of all the circumstances surrounding the position and affecting the interests of
Missouri.
It recounts the evils of which the
South may rightfully complain, admonishes the
North that the hostile fanatical feelings towards Southern institutions manifested by large numbers of that section are productive only of evil, and expresses the hope that a better knowledge of the subject will remove their prejudices.
The report does not assume a threatening attitude towards either section of the country, and concludes with the following resolutions, which are a reproduction of the main features of the report:
‘
Resolved, That at present there is no adequate cause to impute
Missouri to dissolve her connection with the Federal Union, but, on the contrary, she will labor for such an adjustment of the existing troubles as will secure peace, the rights and equality of all the States.
’
Resolved, That the people of this State are devotedly attached to the institutions of our country, and earnestly desire that, by a fair and amicable adjustment, the present causes of disagreement may be removed, the on perpetuated, and peace and harmony restored between the
North and the
South.
Resolved, That the people of this State deem the amendments to the
Constitution of the United States proposed by
Mr. Crittenden, with the extension of the same to the territory hereafter to be acquired, a basis of adjustment which will successfully remove the causes of difference forever from the arena of national politics.
Resolved, That the people of
Missouri believe that the peace and quiet of the country will be promoted by a Convention to propose amendments to the
Constitution of the United States, and this Convention urges the Legislature of the State to take steps for calling such a Convention.
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Convention the employment of military force by the
Federal Government coercive of the seceding States, or the employment of military force by the seceding States to assail the
Government of the
United States, will inevitably plunge the country into civil war, and thereby extinguish all hope of an amicable settlement of the issue now pending.
We, therefore, earnestly entreat the
Federal Government, as well as the seceding States, to stay the arm of military power, and on no pretence whatever to bring upon the nation the horrors of civil war.
Resolved, That when the
Convention adjourns, it adjourn to meet at
Jefferson City, on the third Monday of December.
Resolved, That a committee be elected, the majority of which shall have the power to convene the
Convention at such time and place prior to the third Monday of December, as the public exigency may require.
The report was ordered to be printed, and made the special order for Monday.
Mr. Read, whilst heartily approving the temper and spirit of the report, dissented from the plan of adjustment laid down, and asked leave to present a minority report on Monday, which was granted.
Adjourned.
The State Senate passed resolutions yesterday, that our
Senators be instructed, and our Representatives requested, to oppose the passage of all acts granting supplies of men and money to coerce the seceding States into submission or subjugation, and that should such acts be passed by Congress, our
Senators be instructed, and our Representatives requested, to retire from the Halls of Congress.
