New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-26
THE KENTUCKY TREATY.

THE KENTUCKY TREATY.
Mai. Gen. Geo. Is. Mcclellan is in command OF
the L. S. forces in the Military District COM
posed of the States Northwest of the Ohio, and
of some portion of the territory South OF that
river. In this capacity, he has concluded-no,
"entered into an arrangement with Inspector
General S. Il. Buckner Of Kentucky, IN COM
mand of the I" State Guards" and having his
Headquarters at Louisville. This " arrangement,
Gen. Buckuer notifies Gov. Magofn binds the
authorities of kentucky 20 protect the L. ;.
property within the limits OF the State, enforce
" the laws of the United States in accordance
with the Interpretation of the u. :. Courts,
so far as those laws may be applicable to
" Kentucky, and to enforce with all the power
"of our State our obligations of neutrality as
90 against the Southern States, 30 long as the
position we have assumed shall be respected
"by the United States"
We should like to be enlightened as to that
&" obligation of neutrality" Who imposed 1t
What are its bases and sanctions The Obiga-
ton resting on every citizen OF each State to
obey and maintain the Federal Constitution, we
understand; but an obligation to remain neutral
in contest between the Union and those IN
arms to destroy IT, we know nothing cf. Ia
natics have deemed Themselves under obligation
to commit murder and have acted accordingly;
but man so blind, so mad, as to declare hIm-
self under obligation TO stand by while another
committed murder, We never yet heard OF. And
if neutrality in view of murder "a impossible, 50
is it with regard u treason. II the Southern
Rebels are patriots Kentucky ought to help
them; if they are wanton traitors, she ought to
resist and help overcome them. In no possible
cgse, can she be- justified in standing neutral
between the Union and its implacable enemies.
Her attitude of neutrality is, in any case, one OF
confessed aud inexcusable recreancy.
But our business is with Gen. Mcclellan.
The President of the United States has officially
proclaimed the existence of reasonable combins-
tons formidable in extent and in force, and has
called out the Militia OF the loyal States to aid
in their suppression. Kentucky Id one of the
States tnos required to send her quota Of Militia
to aid IN suppressing the rebellion; ard her Gov
ernor Las rrpellcd the President's requI,iiion IN
language the most disloyal aud insulting. Ken
lucky has thus repudiated her obligations TO the
Unon-repudiated them with insoence and men.
ace. For this, her authorities aud their hackers
are alone responsible. But Gen. Mcclellan
ters into an " arrangement with her authorities
whereby her di.oyal neutrality is recognized aud
acquesced n. Where does lie find authority for
such a proceeding What does he gain b. it
Will the Kentucky SecessiOnists now facing the
Union forces in Virginia lay down their arms in
OBJ delce to this arrangement" Nobody expects
it. Every traitor in the State will feel at perfect
liberty TO drum up recruits fol the rebel armies,
to send them provisions or mODey--to Obtain
| arms, ammunition or provisions from the Free
States and pass them over Ia the subjects Of JEFF.
Davis: only the Unionists will be parayzed BY
the arrangement" Kentucky, hitherto disloyal
without excuse, will hencelorth plead the " ar
"ranpement" az her warraDt-wlll measure her
obligations by this rather than by the Constitu-
ton and laws. The Union is gracously per
United TO carry Kentuckys mails at heavy
annual loss; Kentucky enjoys oil the advantages
of the Union and repudates the duty of UNFOLDING
il. Aud, when appealed TO for a manly and
effective resistance TO treason, she holds w her
arrangement" as releasing her from her mani.
fest duty.
What need Of any arrangement What do
the patriots gain by 1t that they were not sure Of
without it Kentucky will not permit the rebel troops
to occupy her soil Wei, what of that They
will be- just as formidable and rs maleyolent else
where as in Kentucky. II she Govern part OF our
frontier she does the came good turn for the rebels.
In short this neutrality is convenience of rebel
lion and will be kept up just 50 long as it serves
that end. Magofiu n 60. will because Of il relax
no effort 10 render aid aud comfort TO the undls-
guised rebels, aud this treaty will deprive them of
no facility for 70 doing. Gen. Mcclellan has made
mi.take against which the example of Harvey
should have warned him. Iii, . arrangement" will
of course be dsayowcd aud set aside at Wash.
ington.