The Missouri Legislature.
St. Louis, Dec. 30.
--A special dispatch to the Republican from Jefferson City, states that Mr. Cooper, Commissioner from Alabama, made a strong secession speech last night in the Hall of the House of Representatives.--He did not believe, in a commercial or industrial point of view, the Southern States would be the losers in case of a disruption of the government.
He said the South did not desire to re-open the African slave trade.
His remarks were occasionally applauded.
A meeting was then held in the Senate Chamber to consider the suggestions of Mr. Cooper.
On motion of Mr. Parsons, the late Breckinridge candidate for Lieutenant Governor, John Heyer, Senator from Dent, took the Chair.
Mr. Parsons further moved that Col. Ballow, of Benton, be Secretary.
Col. Ballow declined. He could not approve any measure tending to secession.
He would stay in the Union until he was forced out of it.--There was yet hope that matters might be amicably adjusted.
A resolution was adopted, stating that during the coming session of the Legislature, they would express their opinions officially upon the questions now distracting the Union, and furnish the Governor of Alabama a copy of the resolution on the subject, as the General Assembly may adopt.
The Assembly meets to-morrow.
Major Harris, Gen. Price and Col. Ballow are most prominent as candidates for the Speakership, but it is considered doubtful whether either can be elected.
The Republican urges that no secessionist should be elected Speaker, but urges the passage of an act, at an early day of the session, calling a Convention of Commissioners from the slave States at Baltimore, to state explicitly their grievances and the aggressions of the North. 