Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[459] of every official act of mine — to make sure that the people of the State of Missouri can worship their God together, each feeling that the man who sits in the same pew with him, because he differs with him on political questions, is not his enemy — that they may attend the same communion and go to the same heaven. I wish for every citizen of the State of Missouri that, when he meets his fellow-man, confidence in him may be restored, and confidence in the whole society restored, and that there shall be conversations upon other subjects than those of blood and slaughter; that there shall be something better than this endeavor to encourage hostility between persons who entertain different political opinions, and something more and better than a desire to produce injury to those who may differ from them.

Gentlemen, if you will unite with me, and carry home this purpose to carry it out faith-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 obligations to the Constitution and laws of their country, and I am free to say that I know of no reason why they should not so act. Whatever might be said by citizens of other States, certainly Missourians have no right to complain of the general course of the Government of the United States. I believe it to be a fact that there is no law of a general character upon your statutes that has been enacted since Missouri came into the Union, but had received the votes and support of the Representatives of the people of this State. Whatever we have asked from the Government of the United States has been given to us most cheerfully. We asked a liberal land policy, and we got it; we asked grants for our railroads, and we got them; we asked for a fugitive slave law, and it was given to us; we asked that our peculiar views in reference to the finances of the country should be regarded, and even that was granted. In 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.

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.