Robert Ludwell Yates Peyton.
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time. On one occasion he made a speech real purpose was to equip Missouri for secession. in support of a bill to raise troops to pro tect the citizens on the western border of the Peyton was one of the most eloquent and State, which was pronounced by the press efficient advocates of the bill; and a Jeffer at the time as the ablest, and one of the son City newspaper of that time, in referring to one of his speeches, said : " Senator Pey most splendid, for oratorical effect, ever de livered at the State capitol. The stenog ton's speech in support of the bill was a veritable Iliad of the woes of western Mis raphers laid down their pencils, and lis souri." I quote from a letter written by tened with rapt attention. In politics he was a Democrat of the Colonel John Maloy, of Council Grove, extreme southern type, and held to those Kansas, who resided at Carthage, Mo., in views entertained by Calhoun and others of 186 1 (and who was afterwards private sec that school. He naturally espoused the retary of Senator Peyton at Richmond, Va.). In referring to speeches made by Peyton cause of the South. In 1860 he was a presidential elector on the Breckenridge and whilst assisting in recruiting for the Con Lane ticket, and made many speeches federate-service, he says: "Colonel Peyton throughout the State. It was not unusual addressed an immense crowd in the court to read in the morning paper during that house. His speech was a flame of fiery eloquence; sometimes persuasive and sooth canvass that Colonel Peyton had " electri fied " some audience with an eloquent ing, and at times vehemently denunciatory. speech. Having taken an active part as a It was at times picturesque with metaphor State senator in framing legislation looking and classical illustration. I remember that towards secession and disunion, he early in at the conclusion of one of his periods, abounding with climax, I looked suddenly 1 86 1, became identified actively with the ef out of the court house window expecting fort to place Missouri in the southern col umn. He was commissioned as a colonel to see the public square filled with blood to raise a regiment in western Missouri, and thirsty Jay-Hawkers. He assailed the con together with General Raines held and stitutional union man as paltering in a double addressed many meetings, particularly in sense, waiting to see, like the York or the southern Missouri, for the avowed purpose Lancaster, whether the red or the white rose of stirring up the people and inducing them predominated. It had a powerful effect on to enlist in the southern cause. In many of the audience. It greatly impressed me and these meetings so powerful were the appeals I shall never wholly forget it, although I he made, that often, after he had finished, was yet in my teens." the sentiment seemed unanimous where di In the fall of 1861 he was elected by the vision had been before. "Claib Jackson " legislature of Missouri as While he was in the State senate a bill one of the senators in the Confederate con was introduced, known as the Harris bill, gress. Senator George G. Vest was his which provided for the organization of the associate. It is said Mr. Peyton made some Missouri State Guard. This bill became a notable speeches in the Confederate con law, and General Sterling Price was made gress. He was never married, although at commander-in-chief of the State Guards. It the time of his death he was engaged to be is said that while this bill was pending, its married to a very beautiful and highly ac passage was urged on the ground that it complished lady in Missouri, one connected was intended for the purpose of protecting with one of the most distinguished families western Missouri from threatened incur in the State. He died at Bladen Springs, sions of the Kansas Jay Hawkers; but its Alabama, in October, 1863. He was not a
