Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-05-23
rhnpo.llIna hi KentneIr.

The action Of Govsrno. Magofin, in for
bidding the entrance upon Kentucky soil oi
troops approaching from either direeuon'
seems to be misleading some as to the "'rue
intent and meaning Of that official All at
,hs Nor,b reject the doctrine that State
can Of right assume neutral position and
conduct Itself toward the General Govern
ment IN like manner as though It were an
independent Sovereignty yet many are dis
posed to say, ''If Kentucky is sincere IN her
neutrality, let her enjoy it, the abstract
question of her legal right to assume such
position is Of little practical importance. -
Even # the Kentucky State Government
were honest and its protestatiops OF neutrali-
" sincere beyond question, we would be un-
willing to accord it the privilege OF assuming
sueh an attitude toward the Federal Govern
msnt To permit it would be practical
admission Of the rig6thilness Of what is
nothing else than a dangerous heresy-a doc
trine that leads, BY force Of irresistible logic,
70 an acknowledgement Of the legality
Of secession; for il State possess
the right to assume an attitude OF indie
pendspce of and defiance TO the Federal Gov
ernment that right carries with it power to
entirely sever its connection with that Gov
erument. We hope, therefore, the position
of Kentucky viii not be tolerated by the
Administration for a longer time than is alb
solutely required to organize a sufficient
force TO march across its territory to the aid
of the heroic loyalists now struggling Wilh
the rebels Of Tennessee. If Kentucky per
NIT such force to pass in peace, well and
good but if she make war upon 1T let hei
be taught BY the most effective neaus that
concealed treason viii meet the same reward
that is 10 be meted out to those who boldly
proclaim themselves on the side Of rebellion
Let US no longer be deceived by the fallfey Of
conditional loyalty" for it is the most dan
gerOds forrn Of treason.
We have no confidence whatever IN the
sincerity of Gov MagUfinis protestations OF
loyalty. From the beginning he has been IN
uudisVuised communication with The Conied
crate rebels and be and his political assoei-
ates have openly proclaimed their admiration
Of secession. BE recently sent an accredited
agent of the State of Kentucky to New Or
leans to procure arms. This agent entered a
public meeting OF the rebels and made q
spee,h. in which be assured them that Ken
trcky would soon be with them in heart and
hand All his acts, prior to the Issuing OF
his late proclamation, we're such as would
characterize the course of a secessionist; and,
whatever others msy End Of cheering char
acter in his ''peace" proclamation, we are
compelled to regard it as the most dangerous
piece of treason that has yet been PerPetra-
ted in any Of the States atill protesting faith
fulness 70 the Union.
We do not doubt the loyalty OF large
majority Of the people of Kentucky, but Il
Is important that they should keep vigilant
watch upen the movements Of those whom,
In an evil hour, they called to rule over them,
and if the Federal Government would send
q few regiments to aid them in this, we
would rejoice.