Sometimes Those Examining the Well Intentioned Get it Wrong Themselves

Confederate Monument, Higginsville, Missouri.

The following is response to Al Benson's latest article "Sometimes Even the Well Intentioned Get it Wrong". It is an open letter to Al and let me be clear, a man I highly respect and appreciate. The matter at hand is that my "beef" is not with Mr. Benson but a greater problem at large. The "Deep South's" constant labeling Missouri a "Union" state.  Missouri seceded and gave heavily to "The Cause", perhaps in some ways more than any other.

Al sir,

While I have much respect for you I find myself in the EXACT same position that you have towards the Infowars article. I feel you have good intentions with this article BUT as a Missourian with Kentucky roots I have to take issue with the fact that you make the same mistake that many in the “Deep South” make. That mistake is lumping Missouri,, Kentucky & Maryland together as Southern beliefs but loyal to the Union. Maryland never had the chance to secede because of Lincoln’s blatant disregard of the Constitution, the suspension of Habeas Corpus and the arrest of state legislators.

Missouri tried to reach an agreement with Union authorities whereas the Feds would control St. Louis and the State Guard would protect the countryside. This changed when Frank Blair and General Lyon conspired to get General Harney removed from his position in St. Louis.

Harney did not want war Lyon and Blair did. In a last ditch effort the met at the Planters House hotel in St. Louis in June, 1861 with Governor Jackson and Sterling Price at which time Lyon stated he would kill every man , woman and child in Missouri rather than let it dictate its terms to the federal government.

It is at this point that the Governor and Price hopped a train back to Jefferson City burning all the railroad bridges behind them. The Union Army then sent troops via steamboat. The state legislature had to evacuate and later reconvened at Neosho, Missouri in October, 1861 AND PASSED AN ORDINANCE OF SECESSION.

After armed neutrality failed in Kentucky, they too passed an ordinance of secession.

Though I’m sure no disrespect is meant when individuals say that we remained loyal to the Union, we can’t help but feel disrespected when those in the “Deep South” make that claim. My state provided the “Dearest and the Best” to the Cause and without our help the Confederacy’s lifespan would have been shorted significantly.

Always a fan,

Clint