Cooper County, Missouri - Chapter 14: Period of Readjustment, 1919

PREJUDICE - CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION - RADICALS - "DRACONIAN CODE" - "IRON CLAD OATH" - CONSTITUTION ADOPTED - LATER AMENDED AND RADICALISM DEFEATED - BROWN ELECTED GOVERNOR - UNPOPULARITY OF DRAKE - PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DURING AND AFTER THE WAR.

The time intervening between the close of the Civil War in 1865 and the early seventies, was properly called in the South the "period of reconstruction," but in Missouri, the "period of readjustment." Prejudice was inflamed to a high pitch, and in Cooper, the inevitable result of the many oturages committed during the war was calculated to leave scars on the very souls of many that the soothing unction of time alone could eradicate.

In times of intense excitement, when passions are aroused, whether in state or more local matters, the reason seems dethroned, and the evil in man comes uppermost. At such times, those of light mentality, who "tear the tatters" most, and feed with vehemence upon passions, prejudice and malice, too often rise to prominence for a brief time, yet long enough to stab and wound.

Robespierr was such a one, who wept at the death of a pet bird, yet with his guillotin drenched the streets of Paris with blood. When a stagnant pool is stirred, and its waters violently agitated, the sediment rises to the top, only to sink again to its proper place at the bottom when the calm succeeds the agitation.

A Constitutional Convention assembled in St. Louis on Jan. 6, 1865, and continued in session until April 10th of that year. The Radicals of the state were in the saddle, and like a beggar astride, rode violently. This convention was composed of 66 members, three-fourths of whom were of the radical element. These men were known but little throughout the State, and at the close of the convention, when their work had been completed, most of them went back into immediate obscurity, and were heard of no more.

The great dominating figure of this convention was Charles Drake. He was the radical of radicals. His career had been kaleidoscopic, and in politics, he was a regular turncoat. He was first a Whig, a Know Nothing, a Democrat, and then the radical of radicals. At this time, he became easily the leader of the extremists. The constitution adopted became known as the Drake constitution, and because of Drake's leading part in framing this constitution, and because of the severities of many of its sections, it called to the minds of many people, the laws of Draco of ancient Greece, which were noted for the heavy penalties that were levied for their violation. For these reasons the constitution of 1865, was frequently called the "Draconian Code."

The test oath provided by this constitution disfranchised at least onethird of the electors of the State. It soon became intensely unpopular, even with members of the Radical party. Not only were elaborate disqualifications for voting provided, but in another section, the religious, charitable, social and business relations were invaded, and a provision was made for an "expergatorial" oath, for ministers of the Gospel, attorneys, and teachers. Under that section, no person was permitted to practice law, or be competent as a preacher, priest, minister, deacon or clergyman, of any religious persuasion, sect or denomination to teach, or preach, or solemnize marriages, unless such persons should first take, and subscribe, and file the prescribed oath of loyalty.

So comprehensive in details was the test oath that was required to be taken by those who sought to vote, or practice any of the above professions, that it was known as the "Iron-Clad Oath." This constitution was submitted to the people for their adoption or rejection June 6, 1865, but only those who could take the oath of loyalty prescribed, by the constitution itself, were allowed to vote upon its adoption.

The fight was bitter from beginning to end, especially in the Missouri River counties, including Cooper, of course. The constitution was adopted by a majority of less than two thousand. The votes stood 43,670 for, and 41,808 against. The advice of loyal Union men, such as Hamilton R. Gambel, Frank P. Blair, B. Gratz Brown, and a short time afterwards Carl Schurtz, prominent and leaders in the cause of the Union, true men and patriots, went unheeded.

the leadership of such men as Blair, and others, many patriotic Union men throughout the State, were arrayed in violent opposition, and protested against the indignities of the test-oath.

Under the leadership of Carl Schurtz, a Liberal Republican ticket was nominated with B. Gratz Brown, as candidate for Governor. The Radicals renominated McClurg. Brown was elected by a majority of nearly 42,000.

But more significant and important than the political success of the Liberal Republican ticket, was the adoption of the several constitutional amendments, the one abolishing the test-oath, being carried by a vote of 137,000 to 16,000.

With the election of the Liberal Republican ticket in 1870, or rather the defeat of the radicals, their most prominent leader, Drake, passed from the stage as an actor in the public affairs of the State. In all probability no other political leader ever left Missouri politics with greater unpopularity than Drake.

While this chapter may in a measure be discoursive, it shall bear the merit of being brief. Its purpose has been simply to state a general condition without making specific and local applications. We have mentioned no local incidents of this period, for fear that in doing so, or mentioning names, we might open some sores of which the editor himself is not informed. Those strenuous times are passed, passion and prejudice have vanished, and amity and friendship now prevail. No good could be accomplished by going into specific incidents that might have a tendency to arouse in part a bitterness that has long disappeared.

The Presbyterian Church During and After the Civil War. - These matters, of difficult adjustment and mutual agreement, grew out of certain declarations - made by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, during the war period, and bearing upon the questions which vitally concerned the people of both the North and South. They were deliverances of the General Assembly, made when intense feeling ran high, and brotherly love was at low ebb. The Presbyterians, living south of the Mason and Dixon line, promptly resented these deliverances of the General Assembly. Later on they withdrew and established what is now known as the Presbyterian Church of the United States.

During this volcanic eruption in the church, the Presbyterians of Missouri stood neutral. Harmony and usefulness of the church was the paramount question. The Synod of Missouri met in the Boonville Presbyterian Church in the autumn of 1866. The all engrossing subject of the ecclesi- astic union was there ably and vigorously debated. Rev. Dr. Nicolls and Rev. Dr. James H. Brooks, both of St. Louis, led the party standing for union with the northern branch of the church. As no agreement could be reached by this Synod as then organized, Doctor Nicolls and his adherents withdrew from the church building, and held their meeting of Synod in the parlor of the Home of Mrs. Pauline E. Rush on Main street, and carried the churches they represented into the northern branch of the church.

The remaining members of the Synod of Missouri in the church building concluded their meeting by adopting what was known and termed a "declaration and testimony" deliverance. This action, on the part of the declaration and testimony party held the Presbyterian Churches in Missouri of southern trend, neutral for several years, when they formed a union with the southern branch, known as the Presbyterian Church of the United States.

Those were trying days to church people. The drastic deliverance of the General Assembly were gradually modified or withdrawn. Now the question of organic union of these two great branches of one great church, is being urgently advocated and growing in favor, both in the North and South. It is most unfortunate that political differences should ever enter into any church discussion or action. The Boonville Presbyterian Church has been free from this error. Christian fellowship and co-operation should ever be the ruling spirit.