Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-11-24


The Governor Of Kentueky ON Secession.
Governor Magoffin has written long let
fer about secession to the Frankfort Yeomdn.
The Governor seems TO think that Kentucky,
which enjoys all the evils Of the Union, and
which will suffer the greater share Of the
blessings of disunion, is entitled to have
some thing TO say on the question:, Another
singular feature in the case is that the Cow
ernor Of State, which bas real grievance
to complain of should take any part in this
discussion, for the secession movement seems
TO be close corporation, confined to those
States which suffer none of the grievances or
wrongs which comprise their list of suffer-
ings.
Kentucky has grievance. She complains
that State comfy has been violated by free
State not by laws to deny State aid to the
execution of the Fugitive-slave Law, which
was especially devised to exclude all State
aid as unfit to be trusted, and which laws
are nothing but dead letter; but she COM
plains of a specific case in which the Gov
esHor Of Ohio refused TO comply with re-
QUESTION for the del%ery of a person who
had escaped from Kentucky and was indicted
there for stealing slaves. We have here
tofore expressed our opinion on this case.
The cause of justice or morality or liberty,
either of the higher OF lower law, was not
served by the refusal. 1t would have been
promoted by the extradition. Whether the
refusal was strictly legal we do net under
take to say. .5RE. gT-r
But Governor Magofin does not propose
TO fly to the ills of secession for a remedy for
this grievance, nor for the escape Of slaves,
bywhich Kentucky suffers more than all
the secession States put together. He pro-
poses to bring the Ohio case before the SUI
preme Court, and if no relief is found there
to apply TO Congress for the necessary legis-
lation to secure the return of fugitives from
justice; and then, if that is denied, to decide
upon the ulterior course.
The Governor shows realizing sense that
secession would be ruinous to slavery in Ken
lucky, and he has no idea of having her
made martyr under the lead of States re-
mote from danger and from the evil conse-
cquences. Although largely devoted to the
amplifcation of Southern wrongs and the
charges against the North and against the
Republican Party and Republican intentions,
andSo the heavy and-Liberty business,
all which are so largely required for South
ern consumption, and are made to supply the
demand, yet the Governors letter declares
plainly that the interests of Kentucky are in
the Union, and that secession will have no
countenance or support from her.
One recommendation in the letter strikes
as as admirably adapted to the crisis. 1t
refers to the proper course in Congress:
"Let the anti-Republican members of the
Opposition firmly resolve not to discuss the
question of Slavery any more, and when
the Republicans have done, let them vote
down their measures, and proceed to busi-
ness upon the other important interests OF
the country"
If the same course had been adopted at the
beginning of the present Congress, when the
Republicans resolved to keep their mouths
shut until the House was organized, it would
have saved the country from that disgraceful
spectacle. 1t is not too late to try 1t yet. II
will go far to remove the slavery agitation
from Congress, thing which the Demo-
cratic party has devoted its entire attention
to for the past eight years, under the agency
of Mr.. Douglas with Zach eminent success