New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-12
THE TRAITORS UNmAsKING.

The logical basis of the Shareholders Rebel
lion was State Sovereignty. The asserted right
of each State to dissolve the Union, at least so
far as itself was concerned, has been ably
argued in the maniEestOes Of Jefferson Davis.
Those citizens cf Virginia and Tennessee who
adhere to the Union are stigmatzed as Tories
and Traitors in the oracles of Jeffdom on that
precise ground Virginia and Tennessee have
withdrawn from the old Union and joined the
new Cotton Confederacy; therefore every Vir-
gnian, every Tennesseean-no matter though
he resisted secession to the last gasp-is now
bound to acquesce in the decision of his State
and unite with her in repudating and rePell-
ing the authority Of the Union. So says Gen.
Zollicofer in East Tennessee; so said Gov.
Wise, so long as he found it consistent with
wholesome regard for his personal safety to
remain in Western Virginia. The doctrine
defes History, the Constitution Nationality,
Common Sense; but it is not unintelligible
Its logical refutation is easy, but it does not
refute ITSELF
But when the Rebels find it convenient to
invade and overran loyal States-as they have
hitherto done with loyal districts Only-they are
taken in their own snare. For if We admit
that Tennessee may validity vote herself out of
the Union, how shall We deny the right Of
Kentucky to vote to remain in it, There
surely can be no cavil as to the fact. The
present Legislature of Kentucky was chosen
not only after the Secession Of her neighbOrs,
Virginia, Tennessee and Arkansas, but after
the battle Of Bull Run. Every art, every de-
vice, had been exhausted by her Governor Ma
gsfIip, her Senator Breckenridge, and her Dem
ocratic politicians and presses to swerve her
from her fidelity to the Union; but all in vain.
Not once, but twice, thrice, she has formally
and emphatically affirmed her loyalty to the
National flag and cause, and as decidedly at
her last election az at the two which pre-
coded it.
With what consistency, then--nsy, with what
decency-sre Zollicoher, the Rev. Gen. Polk,
Sidney Johnston and other Confederate chiefs,
encamped on her soil at the head Of Fifty
thousand menl BY what authority are they
burning her bridges and harrying her homes :
Has she ever invaded Jefidom That is not
pretended. Did they fear an attack from her
| On the contrary, they make pretext for In
vasion Of the fact that u. S. forces are en-
camped on her soil; though none were so en-
camped when they first invaded it, sezing and
certifying Hickman. How is it, then, that the
soil of Kentucky-which should be as sacred"
as that of Virgna-is oyersbadowed by the
hungry and ragged legions Of the Great Re
beOn
The Richmond EHqRuer-in an article re-
printed in our lsst-prObably answers these
questions by boldly asserting that Kentucky
belongs not to herself any more than to the
Union, but to +" the South that is, to Slave
dom. The Enquirer says:
Southern independence il already achieved; but
the war cannot be cosed until we shall have recon-
quered the Southern territory which basely sur
rendered to the invader by Southern traitors.
Until ace shall hare planted orr banners along the
| natural confines Of our country, me Udr mhH 60
on Had this territory not been bassly refnquished
/ the war would have already been ended. All the
life and treasure and sickness and suffering which
il sha henceforth cost country, will be upon the
souls Of the base who betrayed ther native soil
their homes and hearthstones, to tho invader.
at is idle to think Of peace until we shall have
reconquersd the surrendered country lying south Of
the boundary we have defined Geographically, po-
liticalIy and strategetcaHy, kentucky is part Of
the South which she cannot afford 70 surrender 10
Northern control and jurisdiction We cannot afford
10 have imaginary boundary lines with the Yankees
The line OF Kentucky and Tennossee IS too intang
bic 10 mark the separation between North and South
Without bold, natural line Of separation like the
great Ohio River the border population of the South
would be as completely demoralized through all fu-
ture time, az experience bas proved it 10 have been
during the events Of the last i've months"
We beg the advocates of Concession and
Compromise to mark these declarations. Ken
tucky is in the UniOn--even Breckenridge ad-
mitted this when he pocketed his last pay
and mileage at Washington-she refuses to
leave the Union-whereupou ZollicoFer and
Polk and Sidney Johnston are sent with Fifty
thousand soldiers TO drive or drag her out.
Her people refuse to rend the Union; so they
are ~ Southern traitors" to be subdued and
punished. SO with Missouri; so with Mary
lasd. The Rebels are not lighting for independ-
ence-thst, they say =" if already achieved -
but for the subugatOn and conquest OF the
States cursed with Slavery which have rejected
their sway. They are fighting for the Ohio
and the Missouri as their " natural boundaries"
but not for the POtOmac-Oh no "a bold
" natural line 10 rot desirable on this side Of
the Alleghanies-" al imaginary boundary is
preferable here Can any one fail TO see that
this atrocicus war lie forced upon us by men
who are at anxious TO degrade and brand the
white Freeman Of the North as to perpetuate
and extend the Black Slavery Of the South 4!