Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-08-30

10 not only theory but Ia fact, and should have
meted ont TO him traitors doom. The coun-
try wants no bloody sacrifices, bat it must and
viii have peace, cost what 1t may.
Before closing, desire TO say few words
on the relations of Kentucky 10 the pending
rebellion; aud, as we are all KeHtuckians here
together tonight, and as all this is purely
family matter, which ccDeerns the honor of US
all. hope We may be permitted to speak to
each other upon il with entire freedom. |
shall not detaln you with observations on the
hostile aud defiant position assumed BY the
Governor of your State. la his reply to the
requisftioa made upon aim for volunteers un-
der the proclamation of the President, be has,
in my judgment, written and finished 1ls own
history, his epitaph included, aud it is proba-
bic that in future the world will little concern
itself as to what he may propose to do or as
to what he may propose Dot to do. That
response has made for Kentucky record
that has already brought blush TO the cheek
of many of her SOUS, aud is destined to bring
il to the cheek of many more in the years which
are to come. 1t is shame, indeed crying
shame, that State with so llustrious past
should have written for her by her own chief
magistrate page o history so utterly hHmlll-
atiDg as this. But your Lsgis lature have der
termned that during the present unhappy war,
the attitude of the State shall be that of strict
neutrality, aud il Is upon this determination
that | wl-h respectfully, but frankly 70 comA
meut. As the motives which governed the
Legislature were doubtless patriotic and con-
servatiye, the conclusion arrived at cannot be
condemned as dishonorable, still, in view of
the manifest duty of the State and Of possible
resulte, cannot but regard it as mistaken and
false, and one which may have fatal conse-
qusnces. Strictly aud legally speaking, Ken
tuckey mast 90 out of the Union before she
can te neutral. Witinl it she is necessarily
either faithful to the government of the Uui-
ted States, or she is dIsloyal to it. If this
log bl, ill-judgiug politicians are halting, can
hnd any middle ground on which to rest, il has
escaped my researches though have diligeut-
ly sought it. Neutrality, IN the sense of those
who now use the term, however patrioticaIly
designed is, 10 effect, but snake 10 the grass
Of rebellion, and those who handle it, will
sooner or later feel it's fsngs. Said one who
spake as man never spoke she who is not with
us is against US" and of none OF the conflicts
which have arisen between men or between
nations, could this be more trathfully said, !,
than of that in which we are now involved
Neutrality necessarily implies Indifference.
Is Kentucky indifferent to the issues Of this
contest? Has she no compact with her sister
States 10 keep, M plighted faith to uphold, no
renown to sustain, no glory to win2 Has she
DO horror of that crime of cripes now being
committed against US By that stupeudous re-
belion which has arisen like tempest cloud
in the South? We rejoice To know that she is
still member Of this Union, and as such she
has the same interest in resisting this rebellio..,
that each limb of the body las in resisting
poignard whose point Is aimed at the heart
1t is her house that is on fire; has she no inter-
est in extinguishDg the confagratonl VIII
she stand alouf and announce herself neutral
between the raging flames and the brave men
who are periliug their lives to subdae thema
Hundreds of thousands of citizens of other
Statesmen of culture and character, of
thought and of toll; men who have deep
stake in life, aad an intense appreciation of its
duties aud responsibilities; who know the worth
of this blessed government of ours, and do
not przs ever their own blood above it say,
hundreds Of thousands of such men have left
their homes, their workshops, their Offices, their
counting houses, and their fields, aud are now
rallying about our fag, freely Offering their all
TO sustain 1t, and, since the days that erUsadng
England threw its hosts upon the embatiled
plains of Asia no deeper or more earnest or gram
der spirit has stirred the souls of men, than
that which now swaYs those mighty masses
whose cleaning banners are destined ere long
to make bright again the earth aud sky of the
distracted South. Can Kentucky look upon
this sublime spectacle of patriotism unmoved,
aud then say to herself: 81 will spend neither
blood nor treasure, but will shrink away while
the battle RACES, and after it has been fought
and won, will return to the camp, well as
sured that if cannot claim the laurels, will
at least enjoy the blessings of the victory? Is
that all that remains Of her chivalry?- of the
ehivaIry of the land of the Shelbys, the John
! sous, the Aliens, The ClaYs, the Adairs, aud
the Dayissesa Is there kentuekian within
the sound of my voice to>night, who can hear
the anguished cry Of his country, as she wres.
ties and writhes 10 tue folds Of this gigantic
treason, and then lay himself down upon bis
4 pillow with this thought of neutrality, without
feeling that be has something IN bis bosom
which stings ham worse than would an adderl
Have we, within the brief period of eighty
I years. oescended SO Tar Irom bhe mountain
heights GU which our fathers stood, that already
10 our degeneracy, We proclaim our blood toe
/ precious, our treasure too valuable to be de.
voted to The preservation Of such government
as thiss They fought through seven year,
war with tbe greatest power on earth for the
hope, the bsre hope Of being able to found
this Republic, and now that it is no longer
hope nor an experiment, bar a glorious reality
which, has excited the adiniIation and the hem
I age of the nations, aud has covered US Will
blessings, as "the waters cover the channel
of the sea" have We, their children, no years
of toll, of sacrifice, and OF battle, even,
Deed be, to give to save it from absolute de-
structiOn at the hands Of men, who, stepped il