The national Republican., 1861-10-04
TH POSITION OF X sNruoky.

THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.
In this extraordinary crisis, we deem II q
duty we, your representatives, owe to you aud
ourselves, to say o few words to you as to the
condition Of the Commonwealth and the duties
we have been called upon to perform.
We have ardently desired peace, and hoped
to save Kentucky from the calamlties of war.
When the Federal authorities deemed II neces-
sary to employ force In self-defence, and to
exr cute the laws Of the Government, we a..
surcd our Southern neighbors of our purpose
not 10 take up arms voluntarily against them,
notwithstanding their wicked attempt to de.
stroy the Government from which we and our
fathers have received the greatest benefits.
Every effort was made, both before aud after
the employment Of force, to effect some com
promise and settlement that would restore the
Union and prevent the effuson 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 soil. Those engaged in
rebellion, however, with bypo2ritical proics.
sions Of friendship and respect, planted camps
of soldiers all along our Southern border !;
seized, by military power, the stock on our
railroad within their reach, in defiance Of char
tered rights impudently enlisted soldiers upon
our soil for their camps whom they ostenta
tiously marched through cur territory. They
u
Of our property insulted our people seized
snme of our citizens, aud carried them away.
~ prisoners, into the Confederate States. Our
Giil't 'tary was demoraliZed by the treachery of
its chief officer in commind, and many Of bis
subordinates, until II became more an arm of
The Confederate States than q guard of the
State Of Kentucky.
Thus exposed to wrongs aud indgnities with
no power prepared to prevent or resent them,
some Of the citizeus of this State formed camps
under the Federal Government, for the defence
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 soon.
In this condition we found Kentucky when
| the Legislature mel. n The fret Monday in
| September. We still hoped TO avoid war on
| cur own soil. 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 soil was invaded, and towns in
the southwest of our State occupied by Con-
federate armies. The Governor Of Tennessee
disavowed the act and protested his innocence
| Of IL. His commissioners, at Frankfort pro-
fessed the same innocence Of the admitted
wrong but our warnings to leave were only
ansN cred by another invasion in the southeast
Of the State, and still more direct and deadly
assault upon the very heart of the State by way
Of the Nashville road.
These sudden iTruptions, OF such magnitude
skillfully directed, show that the assault on
Kentucky was preconcerted, prepared and in.
tended long before The excuses made for any
of them but add insult to injury. We sball not
repeat them. They are but excuses for acts In
| tended, without any excuse.
| Tho nurnoea In n rpmave tho thaatra of tha
war from the homes of those who wickedly
originated 1t to those of Kentucky, and to in,
vOlve this State in the rebellion. This purpose
appeared to be well understood in the seeded
States. They need the territory Of Kentucky
and are determined to have II. ii II must be by
blood and conquest
Thus forced into war; We had no choice but
to 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
ment, as we had right to do under the Fede,
raj Constitution.
Our foes would dictate 10 brave people
terms upon which we can have peace. We are
required to join them in their unwarraned re,
bellOu, become accessory to their crimes, and
consent to sacrifice the last hope of permanent
ly upholding iepublican institutions, or meet
their invasions as ii becomes Kentuckians.
1 We believe we have done our duty to a chv
alric people, who have forborne long, but viii
never fail, as a last resort to reseut an injury
aud punish an insult We should hold our
selves unworthy to represent you II we had
done less The only error, we fear, IL that we
have not been prompt, you may think, as tht
occasion demanded.
Thrice have the revolutionists appealed t
the ballot box In this State, and thrice have the
people expressed, by overwhelming majorites
their determination to stand by the Union aDt
its Government. They have not been active il
} this war, not from Indifference or want of 10y
atty, but in the hope Of better promoting res
toration of the Union, and checking the rebel
lion by that course. Our hope Of an amicablt
adjustment and desire for peace led us t.
forbear, until forbearance has ceased to be
virtue.
The attempt to destroy the Union Of these
States We believe to be crime, not only agains
Kentucky, but ag ainst all mankind but up Il
this time we have left to others to vndic Ate by
arms, the integrity of the Government. Tht
Union is not only assailsd now, but Kentucky
is herself threatened with subjugaton by law
: less usurpation. The invasion Is carried or
with ruthless destruction OF property and III,
lives and liberties of our people that belongs
} only to savage warfare.
We have no choice but action-prompt and
decided l. t rs show the insoent invader,
that Kentucky belongs to Kentuckians, ant
that Kentucky valor will vindicate Kentucky
honor. We were unprepared because unsus
, pecting. An insoent and treacherous invader
tells the people that their legislators have be
trayed them, aud he comes with fire and swort
to correct their error by crusade aguins
property, liberty, and life.
Young men Of Kentucky, TO arms, to protec
the home Of your fathers, mothers, and sisters
Sound the tocsn on every hill, and every val
ley, until Kentucky shall drive the insUlen
invader from her soil
}. Ii. HARNEY,
GEO. II. YEAMAN,
| N,Tu'I WoI