New-York daily tribune., 1849-02-22
kentucky.

Kentucky.
Although our foot never pressed the soil Of Ken
lucky, We cherish for her an affection hardly equal
ed by our love for our own native State. Her orr
gin, her history, her patriot sn the devotion Of her
people 10 the Union their frsnkness, their gallant
ry, and their stesdiast and powerful support Of
that system Of Public Policy which we deem iden-
tilted with the Nations well-beiRg, all combine to
enlist our warmest sympsthies. There is no por.
tion OF the Union which We look forward to visit
lag with 90 much ssnguine anticipation Of pleasure
as the chosen home Of Boone, Of Crittenden and OF
Clay.
Kentucky is about 10 bold Convention for the
revision and improvement Of her State Consttu-
ton, and already the composition and assembling
Of that Convention are contemplated by many be-
side her own people with little solicitode. Is
pecially is the probable action Of that Convention
with respect TO Slavery regarded BY thousands
with aproiound and justihabe soicitude.
All We want to say oow 10 the People Of Ken.
tucky is-Give your own Understandings and con
victions fair play this subject. Be not csioled,
nor excited, nor managed 10 eDervate and stihe
them. Above all, let not questions Of the highest
and boliest character be made the football Of Par
ty--mere counters in the miserable game OF per
sonal politics. Suffer no party leaders TO allure or
alright you from the plain path OF Duty and Pat
riotism upon any miserable pretext that he Pe0-
pie are not prepared to DO what is right They
never r,H Be prepared to take any step forward
90 long az they submit with docity TO the DEGREES
Of caucusss, whether secret or open. Few have
had less experience OF the better slider side Of Hu
man Nature than the majority OF aspirants for Po-
htcal distinction, and none are less likely to un-
derstsnd wherein and how far the public senti-
ment of to-day is ahead Of that same sentiment
few yeau ago. Put not your trust in princes,
whether royal or republican.
That we do earnestly though doubtingy hope
for some cheering even if not decisive action on
Slavery by that Convention we shall not deny.
That we should record with the deepest satsisc-
ton the passage by that Convention Of some short,
clear section, decreeing that Slavery in Kentucky
should have no legal existence recognition after
another quarter Of a century at farthes, it were
useless TO disguise. But we shall sllude spasingly
TO the subject prior to the Conventions action.
We would give no excuse,-not even himsy one
for revival Of the common cry, Your interfer-
ence has preueated the success of Emancipation
We would leave the People Of Kentucky entirely
free, and what we would most strongly impress on
their minds is only this-Be free from internal
shackles well external agitations, and do just
what upon mature consideration, shall seem most
fitting and worthy. If every Kentuckian who
heartily desires, shall on reflection desire the
extinction Of Slavery by some humsney graduated
process were to have that desire plainly written
on his forehead, we have little doubt that such
would soon be found to constitute a majority. And
yet there is great danger of an adverse result
through the timidity and most untimely shrinking
OF those whose convictions are right but who dis
like to give offence TO the rich and powerful and
70 take the risk OF incurring their enmity. The
worse party hopes to recover from its deserved
prostrstion by linking its fortunes with those OF
Slavery; the better takes the alarm and protests
that it 10 not in favor OF present Emancipation,
and deprecates any agitation on the subject. Thus
between the upper and neither millstones Of Party
the cause Of Human Freedom and Progress is in
danger OF being ground to powder. We implore
the friends Of Emancipation in Kentucky to
shake Of these Dslilah influences and vindicate
the established character of their gallant State.
Let them hold meetings discuss, disseminate facts
and arguments, organise, and do whatever they
and Justice suffer defeat ia their Constitutional
Convention, the result shall demonstrate the
power of the foes not the treachery and cowardice
OF the friends. Of that noble cause. The time Tor
effective exertionis now