The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-01-11
General Misfellany.
Kentucky at the Crisis.


The following letter on the secession mo, e.
ment in Kentucky will be read with much in
terest at the present time, especially SO as it
indicates on which side of this great ques-
ton, which is dividing the nation, Kentucky
will be found in certain contingencies. We
have perfect confidence in the judgment of
the writer.
MINERVA, KY. Dec. %, 1860
DEAR CALIFORNIAN The salvation or de-
struction of our Union is now the all-absorb-
ing theme, here as elsewhere. Some few
democratic localities are holding disuniOn
meetings in Kentucky, and resolving that the
election of Lincoln is just cause for secession.
and the Cincinnati Courier is base enough
to give publicity to their reasonable pro-
ceedings. But the great mass of the people
in this dark and bloody ground not wish
ing that it should be again the theatre of
strife and war, are strong in their love of the
Union, ard are giving expression to the same
in every way possible. At their public meet
ings, while deploring the election of a repub-
lican President, as national calamity, they
affirm that this is no just cause for secession
and while blaming the North for its personal
liberty laws, and failure to deliver up fugi
tives from labor, &C., cast unequivocal cen
sure upon those Southern states that are dis
turbing heaven and earth to "get out" Of this
"accursed confederacy." The sentiment of
Kentucky people generally is in harmon!
with the first letter of Gov Magoffin, viz =
To assert, and then maintain with arms, if
need be,) their rights under the constitution
in the Union, and not out of it, if the NOrtf
is not willing, now that the issue has come ,t'
concede this ultmatum, (and why should i
not y Kentucky, l am satisfied from tht
tone and temper of its people, will recon-
mend to the South general resort to th'
ultima ratio regum to vindicate and establish
its constitutional privileges. She is resolved
not to submit to Northern aggressions. o
what she regards as such. | speak this, no
as partisan, nor as expressing sanction O
censure of the spirit of the people, but as
matter of firm conviction, draw from the re
solves of numerous meetings of our abes
and best men, our newspapers, and the varl
Gus letter-writers Of the state. to say nothing
of the Governors recent manilestoes. Sla
very never will be abolished where its exis
tence is p, ,oftable, and civil war. with all ii
internecine horrors, will be the inevitable re
suit of pushing the question further. Nov
is the time to stop-to stop, ard consider
to consider, and retract. Why cannot all pa
triots, all who regard the integrity of our Cr
ion as the source of our national prosperit,
drop the slavery question. and nesting a2ai
country. swear allegiance anew to each cthe
and to the cause of true republican liberty
The re>toratior of mutua! confidence and a
ftc,ion is the only cemen, that can mend ou
shattered Union. Unless this is effected b
acts Of Cancellation and concessions, bot
North AID South, am convinced that OF
DAYS as nation are numbered. and ours Wi
be reckOned as another among the extln'
republics of the worlds history. Coerclo
might subjugate the disatiecied states, b'
could not re-attach them to the Union, al
the sentimen. here is against such a measur
If such is the prevailing feeling here on II
border line Of slavery. you can judge of II
intensity and fury of excitement in the mo-
Southern states.
Our Governor is making himself qui
prominent in the work of pacification, and
this end has proposed to the other states
the South a series of conditions, on whi'
the entirety ofthe Union might be preserve
Some of these are proper enough, while OF
ers are simply ridiculous, and are evokl'
criticisms from various quarters. Prentl
wonders how a nan smart enough to becor
Governor of kentucky could be silly enou'
s, to make such a medley of propositions. l
" conservative press of the South condem
his ultimatum, as asking too much OF t
i North, while the democracy, SO eager
j. grasp everything that belongs to the cover
It ment or the country, endorse him, to t