Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-09-06
GOV. MAGOFFIN,s MESSAGE.

FRAEKFoRT, Ky, Sept 8.
The Senate organized By the election of
John E. Fiske for Speaker and J. a. Johr-
son for Clerk.
Gov Collins message says that Kentucky
has a right to assume a neutral position.
That she had no agency In fostering see ion
al party in the free States, and did not ap-
prove the separate action and secession move
meut OF Southern States at toe time Un-
I'll recently Kentucky's beuraliiy has not
been seriously aggressed by either belligsrant
power. Lswless raids have been suffered on
both sides; private property has been seized,
commerce Interrupted and our trade destroy
cd. These wrongs have been bOrns with
patience, and repsration obtained Bhers pos
s'ble, but federal military force has been
organized, equipped and encsmped in the
CENTRAL portion of Kentucky, without con-
ultaiion with the State authorities, but a
short time before the ASSEMBLING Of leglsla-
ture fresh from our psople.
If the people OF Kentucky desire more
troops, let them be obtained under the Con-
stitution of the State of Kentucky. l re-
commend that the Law of last spring be
amended 70 enabls the military board to Dor.
row sufficient sum to purchase arms and
muaitions for our defence. The Governor
infers from the Presidents corrpsnondence
that if be thought the people of Kentucky
-ished the removal OF the Federal forcs from
Kentucky, the President would comply.
The Governor recommends the passage OF
a resolution requesting the disbandIng or re-
moysl of all military bydies not under the
StsteP uthority.
BE complains of the continued iRtroduc-
ton of Federal Guns and the distribution
thereof to private citizens He thinks this
source Of Irritation should be arrested. He
refers the Legislature to numerous cases
Of aggressionS upon private rights by both
belligerents. where he had not tho right or
power 10 afford redress.
After discussing our national difficulties,
he says Kentuckians have meant to await the
exhaustion of all civil remedies before they
will even consider the question Of assuming
new external relations; out have never un-
derstood that they will tamely submit to
unconstitutional aggressi9ns, nor that they
renounce their sympathy with the people Of
her sggrieVed sister States, nor that they
VIII approve Of a war to suhIugRte Ihe
South. Still less can cOustrue any of their
votes as meaning that they will prosecute q
coercive war against their Southern breth-
rem. They meant only that they have still
some hope of restoration and psrpetuation of
the Union, and until that hops IS blasted they
will not alter their existing relation.
Their final decision will be Law TO me, and
viii execute every Con tituiional act of
their Representatives, as vieilsntly and faith
fully as though it originated with myself
The Governor says that in no thought, word
or act has he thwar'hed the lawful purpose
of the people Of Kentucky, and cites instan-
ces of his adherence thereto Ha denounces
the Presidents war proclamation of April
18th, as illegal, and therefore a peremptory
refusal to the demand for Kentucky troops,
citing subsequent sets of the Administration
BE says he cannot give them any sort of
sanction. The Governor protest against the
Presidents usurpations; against further
prosecution of the war against Kentucky
being made q camping ground, OF pathway
for movement of forces by either belligerents,
and recommends the General Assembly to
pass resolutions Fequirin. both helligerents
to keep of our soil and respect Kentucky's
neutrality. Ny respect for State rights and
Staie sovereignty will make me bow in re-
speetful Submission 10 the majority Of her
people so long as l an q citizen of Ken
tucky.