Valedictory.

            At the first general election held in this State after the inauguration of the rebellion, we were elected by the loyal, anti-slavery votes of Cole county to represent them in the lower House of the General Assembly. In that canvass we held and earnestly advocated the same Radical and decided opinions that have since characterized our journal; and however startling and unpopular they were then, they have now become the views of a large majority of the loyal men of the State. The disadvantages under which the party labored with which we were identified were formidable. The Provisional State Government, and all its influences, were exerted against us; and the only newspaper published here at that time was also in the ranks and service of the opposition. Nevertheless the cause of truth, justice and liberty triumphed, and we were successful.

            In our efforts in behalf of the great principles for which we had been contending, many of us felt the need of a journal in our midst, especially in view of the fact that this was the capital of the State, which point would be regarded with peculiar interest by citizens both of this and other States, to disseminate and defend the doctrines and views we believed to be vital to the welfare of the State, and to expose the doctrines and policy then regarded and since proved to be dangerous to the peace, and destructive of the best interests of our people and of the whole country. Under these circumstances we were induced by political friends to undertake the publication of, and to conduct a news and political journal in this city.

            In our Salutatory we stated that we would advocate the cause of emancipation in Missouri, not for the purpose of weakening and diluting it until it would have no effect; nor to enable us to obtain a nominal place among its friends, with the design of stabbing the cause we professed to advocate; but with the view of carrying it forward to a glorious and successful termination. And we held that the sooner it could be accomplished, in accordance with law, the better it would be for all concerned. We further stated, that we would advocate the vigorous prosecution of the war for the suppression of the rebellion, until the life of the nation should be permanently secured and its authority had been reestablished and recognized throughout its rightful domain; and in furtherance of that object we would favor all means known to civilized warfare.

            The success of these measures, the vindication of the sovereignty and supremacy of the Federal Government, the restoration of law and order, and of peace and the security of life and property, have been the leading ideas inculcated in our journal. Emancipation and the total abolition of the institution which generated and sustained the rebellion, has been consummated in our State, and peace to a very great extent has been restored within its borders. And every where the Federal Government is triumphantly asserting its authority over its rebel citizens and is rapidly reinstating Federal rule in the seceded States. The chief reasons that nearly three years ago induced us to take charge of this paper now no longer existing, and having, to the best of our ability, fulfilled the promises made to the public on assuming the responsible position of a political journalists [sic], we consult our own feelings in now resigning to another the arduous labors and responsibilities of a position, undertaken by us when we felt that it was every man’s duty to do all in his power to rescue our Government and country from the hands of the enemies of our liberties and of republican government. Throughout the period in which we have conducted the Times we have earnestly sought to promote the unity and harmony and thereby the efficiency of the Radical Union Party. We have uniformly sought to avoid all controversies tending to divide and distract the Union sentiment of the country; have persistently advocated a full identification of the Union Party of Missouri with the great National Union Party; unfalteringly advocated the policy of sending delegates to the Baltimore Convention, which nominated Mr. Lincoln for re-election to the Presidency, believing that a convention in which would be represented the loyal masses who were doing all in their power to uphold the authority of the Federal Government, and heartily sustaining all the measures adopted by the Administration for the accomplishment of that object, might, in the aggregation of its wisdom, be safely trusted to nominate the Chief Executive officers of the Government; and sincerely believing that upon the election of the nominees of that body depended the salvation of our country and the integrity of the Union.

            History has vindicated the correctness of our views and the wisdom of the policy thus pursued by us in common with a great majority of the Union party and press of the State.

            Under the conviction of the great importance of maintaining the unity of the loyal heart of the State, we have studiously sought to avoid the introduction, at this time, as a test of party fealty, the question in regard to the enfranchisement of the African race. Whether they are enfranchised now or a few years hence, after they have enjoyed reasonable opportunities for acquiring the intelligence necessary to its proper exercise, is not a matter of vital importance to the State or the negro, and the question should not be allowed to endanger the united and harmonious action of the truly loyal voters of the State. We rejoice to know that the amended Constitution has embodied, substantially, our views upon this subject, and with its adoption this question will have found a satisfactory solution.

            We therefore retire feeling assured that the dark days of Missouri and of the Nation are rapidly passing away; that our State is already safely anchored in the great haven of Federal Unity, and that no undue solicitude need longer be felt for the safety of Missouri or the Federal Union.

            Our successor, Major Emory S. Foster, is worthy of the generous support of a loyal and intelligent people. In the Federal service he has proven himself a brave and gallant soldier, has shown his devotion to his country by shedding his blood upon its battle-fields. He is earnest in his advocacy of measures calculated to restore the rightful authority of the Government, and that will place Missouri upon the highway to prosperity and greatness. We bespeak for him the generous support and hearty co-operation of the loyal people of our State, in his efforts to make the Times an efficient means of preserving its political integrity, advancing its moral and intellectual greatness, and of promoting its manifold material interests.

            We cannot bid a final adieu to our numerous patrons and friends without first acknowledging the valuable services of our partner in the publication of the Times, Mr. K. G. Cooper. He has had entire charge of the mechanical department and of the general business management of the office. The financial success of the establishment is, in a great measure, attributable to his business qualifications, careful oversight of the office and untiring attention to its business affairs. We are gratified in being able to state that his connection with the office will be continued, and that he will sustain the relations to it for which he is so eminently qualified.

            With these parting words, we, as editor of the Missouri State Times, bid its readers a final Adieu.

            Wm. A. Curry.