It is with regret that I feel it my duty to call your
attention to the recent act of the General Assembly of
Missouri, known as the "Military Bill," which is the result,
no doubt, of the temporary excitement that now pervades the
public mind. This bill cannot be regarded in any other light
than an indirect Secession ordinance, Ignoring even the form
resorted to by other States. Manifestly, its most material
provisions are in conflict with the Constitution and laws of
the United States. To this extent it is a nullity, and
cannot and ought not to be upheld or regarded by the good
citizens of Missouri. There are obligations and duties
resting upon the people of Missouri under the Constitution
and laws of the United States which are paramount, and which
I trust you will carefully consider and weigh well before
you will allow yourselves to be carried out of the Union
under the form of yielding obedience to this military bill,
which is clearly in violation of your duties as citizens of
the United States.
It must be apparent to every one who has taken a proper and
unbiased view of the subject that, whatever may be the
termination of the unfortunate condition of things in
respect to the so-called Cotton States, Missouri must share
the destiny of the Union. Her geographical position, her
soil, productions, and, in short, all her material
interests, point to this result. We cannot shut our eyes
against this controlling fact. It is seen and its force is
felt throughout the Nation. So important is this regarded to
the great interests of the country, that I venture to
express the opinion that the whole power of the Government
of the United States, if necessary, will be exerted to
maintain Missouri in her present position in the Union. I
express to you, in all frankness and sincerity, my own
deliberate convictions, without assuming to speak for the
Government of the United States, whose authority here and
elsewhere I shall at all times and under all circumstances
endeavor faithfully to uphold. I desire above all things
most earnestly to invite my fellow-citizens dispassionately
to consider their true interests as well as their true
relations to the Government under which we live and to which
we owe so much.
In this connection I desire to direct attention to one
subject which, no doubt, will be made the pretext for more
or less popular excitement. I allude to the recent
transactions at Camp Jackson, near St. Louis. It is not
proper for me to comment upon the official conduct of my
predecessor in command of this Department, but it is right
and proper for the people of Missouri to know that the main
avenue of Camp Jackson, recently under the command of Gen.
Frost, had the name of Davis; and a principal street of the
same camp that of Beauregard, and that a body of men had
been received into that camp by its commander which had been
notoriously organized in the interests of the Secessionists,
the men openly wearing the dress and badge distinguishing
the Army of the so-called Southern Confederacy. It is also a
notorious fact that a quantity of arms had been received
into the camp which were unlawfully taken from the United
States Arsenal at Baton Rouge, and surreptitiously passed up
the river in boxes marked "Marble."
Upon facts like these, and having in view what occurred at
Liberty, the people can draw their own inferences, and it
cannot be difficult for any one to arrive at a correct
conclusion as to the character and ultimate purpose of that
encampment. No Government in the world would be entitled to
respect that would tolerate for a moment such openly
treasonable preparations. It is but simple justice, however,
that I should state the fact that there were many good and
loyal men in the camp who were in no manner responsible for
its treasonable character. Disclaiming as I do all desire or
intention to interfere in any way with the prerogatives of
the State of Missouri or with the functions of its executive
or other authorities, yet I regard it as my plain path of
duty to express to the people, In respectful but at the same
time decided language, that within the field and scope of my
command and authority the "supreme law" of the land must and
shall be maintained, and no subterfuges, whether in the
forms of legislative acts or otherwise, can be permitted to
harass or oppress the good and law-abiding people of
Missouri. I shall exert my authority to protect their
persons and property from violations of every kind, and
shall deem it my duty to suppress all unlawful combinations
of men, whether formed under pretext of military
organizations or otherwise.
WM. S. HARNEY. Brigadier-General, United States Army,
Commanding.
These were certainly "brave words, my masters," and had great influence upon the people of Missouri. Unhappily there was reason to think afterwards that Gen. Harney was not quite living up to them.
When the account of stock of the capture of Camp Jackson came to be taken, the invoice was as follows:
Three 32-pounders.
Three mortar-beds.
A large quantity of balls and bombs in ale barrels.
Artillery pieces, in boxes of heavy plank, the boxes marked "Marble," "Tamaroa, care of Greeley & Gale, St Louis—Iron Mountain Railroad."