St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-05-02
A Kentucky View of Secession.

letter, written by a citizen OF Ken
lucky to a citizen Of Massachusetts,
which will be read with interest. The
writer is evidently capable of forming
a sound Judgment respecting the sub
jects whereof he speaks:
As you did me the honor to request
my opinion as to the probable course
that Kentucky and the other Border
States will pursue in the crisis" |
will give it at some length, stating by
way of introduction that have taken
a profound interest in the present po-
litical movements, have watched
closely the development and the ex-
preston of public opinion here, and |
think that the future will in the main
verify the views that now entertain
of the subject.
hav not much fear of any farther
secession, and would state in cmphat-
ic terms that there lcui Be no more,
were it not for the attitude assumed
by Virginia. There is something to
be feared from her position, but mol
much hope and believe. Were that
State, however, to secede, North Car
olina would Immediately follow her,
and the moral influence of the move
ment would greatly strengthen seces.
sion in the remaining Slave States,
but not 10 such an ertent as to take them
out of the Union, especially if no Sc
-. Of Sh
place between the Federal Govern
ment and the seeded States, thereby
enlisting a feeling Of sympathy for
the latter, which the border states do
not now entertain. You expressed
precisely the views entertained by the
Union" men here, upon Mr. Lincoln's
address, when you remarked you
could not perceive how he could well
have said less"
The recent decision Of the Supreme
Court of the United States in the case
of Kentucky VS.. Ohio, upon the requi-
sition of the fugitive Tago, is having
very good effect here. Tago was
indicted in this State for stealing
slaves, fed to Ohio, and when he was
demanded by Gov. Magoffin, Gov.
Dennison refused to deliver him up, on
the ground that stealing slaves was
not recognized as an offence by the
laws of Ohio :; or, in other words, that
if the statutes of Kentucky attach
criminality to q particular act, it does
not necessarily follow that this legis
lation shall affect any citizen Of Ohio
This case was constantly cited by the
secessionists here as an instance oi
the great injustice" constantly mani
tested by the North against the South
As remarked above, its decision ad
verscly to Kentucky does much good
as it proves the fallacy of the argu
ment they have been using.
There is an element likewise exist
ing here that will operate powerful,
against secession, if the matter eve
comes to vote. allude to a power
fu Free Soil sentiment, that ramitie'
throughout every Border State, anC
in the event of their secession woulC
be increased to such an extent as tt
cause these States in a very shor
time to emancipate their slares. l am
> Breckenridge Democrat" and slav
owner, but would infinitely prefer t
free every negro in the South, to dis
solution of the Union. 1t is the a
dent hope of nine-teHths of the peopl
of this State, that the day may com
when justice can be done alike TO tn
master and to the slave, and ace can g
rid of them forerer. This being tn
= sentiment of our people, it is imposs S
BILE for us to affiliate very closely wit
the Cotton States.
The Border States in their effort
for compromise, are contendlnS 10
what they deem a right, and they ma
a il a poiat Of hOaor to obtain it and
% the Administration, by giving up a
g important military post, Fort Sumter
into the hands of rebels, prefer ma
,a ing a humiliating sacrifice Of " \
Of tional Honor "to the shedding of bloc
l. they can certainly afford to purs'
"a n such course as will keep the Bord
e, States in the Union.
at In regard to the reconstruction
the Union, do not think this W
r. take place for several years, if in ia
II it is ever accomplished. The publ
1t mind in the Cotton States is as mut
IN deraaeed as was ever that OF the Chrl
" tian world during the times OF u
Crusades. The masses are ignorant
n the leaders are corrupt. The OF
rd have their prcjudices against IL
ID North excited to the " fighting pitch
a. upon the negro question. The 9th
of believe that they are about to four
SO a modern Utopia" which will 500
~. he the Paradise of the world. Wi
a their heads full Of such IDEAS, 1t
it hard for common sense and reason
ia. find foothold. They do not wish