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Missouri Test Oath. 28I sustaining the Federal government as the supreme power of the na- tion. At its second session it overturned the old State government, established a Provisional government, and in the exercise of its sovereign power appointed new executive officials. Whenever offi- cers of this new government proved to be disloyal, the Conven- tion, as it met from time to time, removed them, and required all judicial and executive officials to subscribe to a Test Oath which not only bound them not to aid or abet treason, but also to be strictly loyal to both the National and provisional State govern- ments. This oath was necessarily of such a character as to search the conscience. Nothing else could answer the purpose, since the design was, if possible, to fill all offices with men that were absolutely free from all taint of disloyalty. The convention was eminently con- servative in its character, but saw most clearly that any measure less radical might give the State over into the hands of disunionists. In the summer of 1863 this sovereign body met for the last time, and contrary to the general and rising sentiment of the State, which de- manded at once the total abolition of slavery, passed an act of gradual emancipation. Having accomplished this work it dissolved. All were ready to acknowledge that it had done much that was praise- worthy. The people, however, who elected it to perform a specific duty, felt that by its long continuance and multiplied enactments it had transcended its rightful powers, and reluctantly consented to its usurpation only on account of the great perils which beset them on every hand. And now that, at the very close of its career, it had fallen below the expectation of the masses in its last and most im- portant act, there was a universal demand for another convention that would pass a statute of immediate unconditional emancipation, and also revise the constitution of the State so that it would accord with such an enactment in both letter and spirit. A new convention was accordingly called in 1864. In many re- spects the time was most unpropitious for the election of its delegates. For more than three years civil war of the intensest malignity had raged within the State. In almost every portion of its domain were roving bands of guerrillas and bushwhackers, who were constantly committing the most execrable depredations. On the part of many desperadoes cold-blooded murder had become a customary pursuit. This mode of warfare,-if it can be dignified by such a name-was first introduced by the rebels, but professed unionists at last be- came deeply involved in it. It was often resorted to for the purpose of satisfying old grudges. The courts, schools and newspapers were generally suspended. All that belongs to good government and
Object Description
Title | The test oath of Missouri |
Author | Anderson, Galusha, 1832-1918 |
Subject.LCSH |
Missouri -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 Loyalty oaths -- Missouri Missouri -- Politics and government |
Coverage | United State -- Missouri |
Source | Baptist quarterly. Philadelphia, Pa., American Baptist Publication Society, 1867. v. 1, July 1867. p. 280-298. 24 cm. |
Language | English |
Date.Original | 1867 |
Type |
Books and pamphlets |
Format | JPEG |
Collection Name | Civil War in Missouri - Monographs |
Editorial Note | All blank pages have been eliminated |
Publisher.Digital | University of Missouri Digital Library Production Services |
Rights | These pages may be freely searched and displayed. Permission must be received for subsequent distribution in print or electronically. Please contact contributing institution for information. |
Contributing Institution |
University of Missouri--Columbia. Libraries |
Copy Request | Contact Ellis Library Special Collection, University of Missouri - Columbia at (573) 882-0076 or email: SpecialCollections@missouri.edu |
Description
Title | civk000042p0281 |
Description | Missouri Test Oath. 28I sustaining the Federal government as the supreme power of the na- tion. At its second session it overturned the old State government, established a Provisional government, and in the exercise of its sovereign power appointed new executive officials. Whenever offi- cers of this new government proved to be disloyal, the Conven- tion, as it met from time to time, removed them, and required all judicial and executive officials to subscribe to a Test Oath which not only bound them not to aid or abet treason, but also to be strictly loyal to both the National and provisional State govern- ments. This oath was necessarily of such a character as to search the conscience. Nothing else could answer the purpose, since the design was, if possible, to fill all offices with men that were absolutely free from all taint of disloyalty. The convention was eminently con- servative in its character, but saw most clearly that any measure less radical might give the State over into the hands of disunionists. In the summer of 1863 this sovereign body met for the last time, and contrary to the general and rising sentiment of the State, which de- manded at once the total abolition of slavery, passed an act of gradual emancipation. Having accomplished this work it dissolved. All were ready to acknowledge that it had done much that was praise- worthy. The people, however, who elected it to perform a specific duty, felt that by its long continuance and multiplied enactments it had transcended its rightful powers, and reluctantly consented to its usurpation only on account of the great perils which beset them on every hand. And now that, at the very close of its career, it had fallen below the expectation of the masses in its last and most im- portant act, there was a universal demand for another convention that would pass a statute of immediate unconditional emancipation, and also revise the constitution of the State so that it would accord with such an enactment in both letter and spirit. A new convention was accordingly called in 1864. In many re- spects the time was most unpropitious for the election of its delegates. For more than three years civil war of the intensest malignity had raged within the State. In almost every portion of its domain were roving bands of guerrillas and bushwhackers, who were constantly committing the most execrable depredations. On the part of many desperadoes cold-blooded murder had become a customary pursuit. This mode of warfare,-if it can be dignified by such a name-was first introduced by the rebels, but professed unionists at last be- came deeply involved in it. It was often resorted to for the purpose of satisfying old grudges. The courts, schools and newspapers were generally suspended. All that belongs to good government and |
Source | The Test Oath of Missouri |
Type | Books and monographs |
Format | JPEG |
Identifier | civk000042p0281.jpg |
Collection Name | Civil War in Missouri - Monographs |
Editorial Note | All blank pages have been eliminated |
Publisher.Digital | University of Missouri Digital Library Production Services |
Rights | These pages may be freely searched and displayed. Permission must be received for subsequent distribution in print or electronically. Please contact koppk@umsystem.edu for more information. |
Copy Request | Contact Ellis Library special collection at: SpecialCollections@missouri.edu |