New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-13
LETTER FROM THE HON. JOSEPH HOLT.


WAsHIsGTos, May 81, 1861.
j. +. sPrgp, ESQ.,, Louisville, Ky.-Ny Dear
Sir The recent overwhelming vote in favor of
tie Union in Kentucky has afforded unspeaka-
bic qualification TO all true throughout
the country. That vote indicates that the people
of tina, galan, State have been neither seduced
by the arts nor terrified by the menaces Of the revon-
toniss in their midit ard that II IL their fixed purpose
TO remain faithful the Government which for nearly
seventy year. has remained faithful to them. Sill
canno, he denied that there IL in the bosom OF that
s. Ate band of aitAtors who, though few in number,
are yet powerful from the public confidence they have
enioyed, and who have BEEN and doubtless will con-
time TO be- unccasng in their endeavon TO force Ken
lucky to unite her fortunes with hose Of the Rebel
Coni.deracy Of the South In view Of this and OF TIE
wellnown flct TINT ,evernl a the seeded States
have By fraud and violence been driven to occupy their
present fse fatal position cannot with the en-
coungement Of her late vote before me- look upon The
political future Of our native State without painful
olicitudc. Never have the safoiy and honor OF her
people required the exercise Of much vigilance and
Of 20 much courage their pat. If true to them
selves the s,ars and stripes which, Ike angelo wing,
have 70 long guarded their homes from every oTpre,
sion, will s he theirs but if chasing the dreams Of
mems ambition they shall prove false the blackness Of
darkness can but family predict the gloom that awaits
them. The Legislature, it seems, has determined by
resolution that the State pending the present unhappy
war, shall occupy neutral ground. must say, in all
frankness and without daring TO reflect upon the
course or sentiments Of any, that, In this struggle
for the existence Of our Government, can neither
practice nor profess nor feel neutrality. 1 would
as coon think Of being neutral in contest
between officer Of justice end an incendlary ar
rested in an attempt TO fire the dwelling over my head;
for the Government whose overthrow IL sought Tor
me the shelter not only Of home kindred aud friends,
but of every earthly blessing which can hope to enjoy
on this tide Of the grave. IT, however, from natural
horror Of iratTcdal strife, OF from her intimate social
and business relations with the South Kentucky SHAH
determine 10 maintain the natural attitude assumed Tor
her by her legislature her position will still be an
honorable Oh e. though falling far short OF that full
measure of loyalty which her history has 30 constantly
illustrated. Her Executive, Ignoring as l Am happy
10 believe, alike the popular and sgatiye sentiment
OF tho State has by proclamation forbidden the Gov
eminent Of tho United States from marching troops
acrors her territory This is in no sense, neutral
step, but one Of aggressive hostility The troops OF
the Federal Government have as clear constitutional
rst 10 pass the sO OF Kentucky as they have 10
march along the streets OF Washington and could this
prohibition be effective, II would not only be vo-
a,ion of the fundamental law, but would in all ts
tendencies be directly IN advancement OK the revou
ton, and might, In an emergency easily imagined,
compromise the hghest national intertas. l was
reoiced that the Legislature 30 promptly refused to
ndorse this proclamation as expressive OF the true
policy Of the State Rut turn away from even this
10 tho ballot-box, ard fnd Astounding consohtion
in the conviction II inspires that the popular heart u
Kentucky in It's devotion to Ihe Union, is far III i'd
vance alike of Legislative resolve and of Executive
Proclamation.
But az Il is well understood that the late popular
denomination has rather scOched ban killed rebellion
in Kentucky, propose inquiins, rs briefly as pacti
cable, whether In the recent action or present declared
policy OF the Administration In the history OF the
lending revolution or 10 tho objects Il seeks TO
plis or in the results which must follow from IT, if
saccessul there can be discovered any reasons why
that State should the ties that unite her with
Confedcracy in whOse councils and upon whose bntle-
fields she has won 40 much honor, and under whose
protection she has enjoyed 30 much prosperity.
For more than month after the Inauguration Of
President Lincoln the manifestations seemed unequv-
ocal that bis Administration would seek peaceful
luton OF our unhappy political troubles, and would
look 10 time aud amendments to the Federal Constu
ton, adopted in accordance with its provisions, TO
bring back the revolted States 10 their allegiance. SO
marked was the effect Of these manifestations in tran
QUILTING the Border States and in reassuring their 10y
atty that tho oonspraors who had set this revolution
on foot took the alarm While affecting to despse these
Ststes not sufficiently intensified in their devotion TO
African eervtudc they knew they could never succeed
ia their reasonable enterprise without their support
Hence il resolyed to precipate collision OF
with the Federal authorities in the hope that under
the panic and evaporation incident to the commence
mcnt of civil war; the Border States, following the
natural bent Of their sympathies, wonld array thcm
selves against tho Government. Fort Sumter, occu-
pied by feeble garrison, and girdled by powerful If
not npregnabe batteries, afforded convenient means
for accomplishing their purpose, and for testing aso
their fvorite theory that blood needcd TO cement
the Confederacy. Its provisions were ex bausied
and the request made by the President in the interests
Of peace and humanity for the privilege of repenishng
its stores had been refused. The Confederate author
ties were aware-for the gallant commander Of the
fort had declared TO tlemthst in two days capltula
ton from starvation must take place. A peaceful sur
render, however, would rot have subserved their
aims. They sought the clash Of and the eifnsion
Of blood fundamentally for impressing the Bor-
der States, and they sought the humiliation OF the
Government and the dishonor OF Its flag US means OF
giving prestige TO their own cause. The result is
known Without the slightest provOcation q heavy
csanopads was opened upon ths fort and borne by Ito