New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-02
Addrcss OF ihe Union DEembers Of the Legis-
isigre to the People OF Kentucky.

In this extraordinary crisis we deem il a duty we,
your representatives., owe to you and ourselves to
tay a few words 10 you as 10 the condition of the
Commonwealth, and the duties we have been called
upon TO perform.
We have ardently desired peace and hoped TO cave
Kentucky from the ealamites Of war. When the
Federal authorities deemed it necessary to employ
force in seldeense and to execute the laws Of the
Government, we assured our Southern neighbors OF
our purpose not TO take up arms voluntarily against
them, notwithstanding their wicked attempt to de-
stroy the Government, from which we and our IA
theirs have received the greatest benefits. Every
effort was made, both before and after the employ
ment of force TO effect some compromise and settle-
ment that would restore the Union, and prevent the
effusion Of blood.
The Federal Government did not insist upon our
active aid in furnishing troops seeming content II we
obeyed the laws and executed them upon our own
cell. Those engaged in rebellion, however, with
hypocrtical professions Of friendship and respect
planted camps of soldiers all along Southern bOr-
ders seized by military power tie stock rail-
roads within their reach, In defiance Of chartered
rights impudently enlisted soldiers upon our soil for
their camps, whom they ostentatioufly marched
through our territory. They made constant raids
into this State, robbed US Of property, nsulted
our people, seized some of our citizens and carried
them away as prisoners into the Confederate States.
Our military was demorlized by the treachery of its
chief officer in command, and many of his subordi-
mates, until il became arm Of the CoDfeder-
ate States than q guard of the State Of Kentucky.
Thus exposed TO wrongs and indiqities with no
power prepared to prevent or resent them, some Of
.,ss Of Go al
General Government for the defense and protection
Of the State Of Kentucky. Whatever might have
been thought Of the policy once, recent events have
proved that they were formed none too coon.
In this condition We found Kentucky when the
Legislature met, on the frat Monday in September.
We still hoped to avoid war on our own soi We
were met by assurances from the President Of the
Confederate States that our position should be
respected but the ink was scarcely dry with which
the promise was written, when We were startled by
the news that our coil was invaded, and towns in
the southwest Of State occupied by Confederate
armies. The Governor of Tennessee disavowed the
act, and protested his innocence Of it. Ills Commits
sioners nc Frankfort proessed the came innocence OF
the admitted wrong; bnt our warnings to leave were
only answered by another invasion in the southeast
OF the STATE, ard q still more direct aud deadly
assault upon the very heart Of the State by way Of
the Nashville read.
These sudden irruptions Of such magnitude skill.
fully directed Showed that the assault on Kentucky
prcconcerted, prepared and intended long before.
The excuses made for any Of them, but add insult to
injury. We shall not repeat them. They are but
excuses for acts intended without any excnso. The
purpose is 10 remove the heater Of the war from the
homes Of those who wckedly originated IL 10 those
Of Kentucky, and to involve this State in rebellion.
This purpose appeared TO be well Understood in tire
seeded States; they need the territory of Kentucky
and are determined to have it, If il must be, by
blood and conquest Thus forced into war, we have
no choice but 10 call on the strong arms and brave
hearts of Kentucky to expel the invader from our
SOIL and to call for the aid of the Federal Govern
merit as we had right to do under the Fedetal Con.
ftitution.
Our foes would dictate terms TO brave people
upon which we can have peace. We are requiredto
Join them In this unwarran,ed rebellion become nc
cessory to their crimes, and consent to sacrifice the
last hope Of permanently unfolding republican nsti