Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-07-03


WASHINGTON, May 81, 1861.
IF. SPEED, Eso-My dear Sir: The recent
-oyerwhcInDg vote in favor of the Union, in
Kentucky, has afforded unspeakable gratlfica-
tion to all true men throughout the country.
That vote indicates that the people OF that gall
liant State have been neither seduced by the
arts nor terrified by the menaces OF the revo-
Iutionists in their midst and that it is their
fixed purpose to remain faithful to Govern
ment which, for now nearly seventy years, has
remained faithful to them. Still, it cannot be
denied that there is in the bosom of that State
band of agitators, who, though few in num-
Der, are yet powerful from the public conf
dence they have enjoyed, and who have been,
and doubtless will continue to be, unceasing
in their endeavors to force Kentucky to unite
her fortunes with the rebel Contederacy of the
South. In view of this, and of the well-known
fact that several Of the seeded States have by
fraud and violence been driven to occupy
their present false and fatal position, | cannot,
even with the encouragement of her late vote
before me, look upon the political future of
our native State without a painful solicitude.
Never have the safety and honor OF her people
required the exercise of so much vigilance
and of SO much courage on their part. If true
to themselves, the stars and stripes, which,
like angels wings, have so long guarded their
homes from every oppression, will still be
theirs; but if, chasing the dreams of other
mems ambition, they shall prove false, the
thickness of darkness can but family predict
the doom that awaits them. The Legislature,
it seems, has determined by resolutions, that
the State. pending the present unhappy war,
shall occupy neutral ground. l must say, IN
all frankness and without desiring to reflect
upon the course or sentiments of any, that IN
this struggle for the existence of our Govern
ment, | can neither practice, nor profess, nor
feel neutrality. | would as soon think OF be-
ing neutral in a contest between an ofhcer of
Justice and an incendiary, arrested in an at
tempt to fire the dwelling over my head; for
the Government whose overthrow is sought, is
for me the shelter not only of home, kindred
and friends, but of every earthly blessing
which can hope to enjoy on this side OF the
grave. IT, however, from a natural horror OF
fratricidal strife, or from her intimate social
and business relations with the South, Ken
lucky shall determine to maintain the neutral
attitude assumed for her by her Legislature,
her position will still be an honorable one
though falling far short of that full measure of
loyalty which her history has so constantly IL
lustrated. Her Executive, ignoring, as 1 am
happy 10 believe, alike the popular and Legis-
lstve sentiment of the State, has by procla-
nation, forbidden the Government of the
United States from marching troops across
her territory. This is, in no sense, neutral
step, but of aggressive hostility. The
lroups of the Federal Government have as
clear Constitutional right to pass over the
soil of Kentucky as they have to march along
the streets of Washington, and conld this
prohibition be effective, it would not only be
violation of the fundamental law, but would
in all its tendencies, be directly in advance
ment of the revolution, and might, in an e.
nergency easily imagined, compromise the
highest national interests. was rejoiced that
the Legislature so promptly refused 10 endorse
this proclamation as expressive OF the true
policy of the State. Bat turn away from
even this to the ballot box, and find an abound
ing consolation in the conviction it inspires,
that the popular heart of Kentucky, in its de-
vOtion to the Union, is far in advance alike of
Legislative resolve and of Executive procla-
nation.
But as it is we'll understood that the late
popular demonstration has rather Scotched
than killed rebellion in Kentucky, propose
Inquiring, as briefly practicabe, whether,
in the recent action or present declared poll
cy OF the Administration, or in the history of
the pending revolution, or in the objects it
seeks to accomplish, or in the results which
must follow from ii, il successful, there can
be discovered any reasons why that State
should sever the ties that unite her with con-
federacy in whose councils and upon whose
battle fields she has won so much fame, and
under whose protection she has enjoyed SO
much prosperity.
For more than month after the inaugural
ton Of President Lincoln, the manifestations
seemed unequivocal that his Administration
would seek peaceful solution of our unhap-
py political troubles, and would look to time
and amendments to the Federal Constitution,
adopted in accordance with its provisions, 10
bring back the revoIted States to their allegi-
ance. So marked was the effect of these man.
ifestations in tranquiizing the border States,
and in reassnring their loyalty, that the con-
splrators who had set this revolution foot
took the alarm. While affecting to despise
these States as not sufficiently identified in
their devotion to African servitude, they well
Knew they could never succeed in their trea-
sonable enterprise without their support.
Hence it was resolved to precipitate coils
Ion of arms with the Federal authorities, in
Inc hope that, under the panic and exaspera-
non incident to the commencement OF civil
war, the border States, following the bent OF
their sympathies, would array themselves a
gainst the Government. Fort Sumter, oc-
cup'ed by feeble garrison, and girdled by
powerful, If not impregnable batteries, afford
GU convenient means for accomplishing their
purpose, and for testing also their favorite
.neory that blood was needed to cement the
new new Contederacy. Its provisions were ex
sdaus'ed, and the request made by the Presi-
SSehl, in the interests of peace and humanity,
Ot the privilege of replenishing its stores,
"a. aad been refused. Phc Confederate authori-
es We're aware-for so the gallant comman-
~. ser OF the fort had declared to them-that in
w %o Gays capitulation from starvation must
Ae place. A peaceful surrender, however,
oula not have subserved their aims. They
Nusnt the clash of arms, and the effuson of
Sn. ,'oa as an instrumentality for impressng the
t;or gOsuer States, and they sought the humilia-
oG OF the Government and the dishonor of
o~a Jag as means Of giving prestige to their
~ cause. The result is known. Without
xas 'hgntest proyocation, heavy cannonade
opened upon tho fort, and borne by its