Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-06-15
The Border State Convention

The New York Courier and Enquirer of the
| 10th inst, makes the following remarks rela
tive to the address of the Border State Con
| vention recently held at Frankfort, KY
| These remarks show how futile the attempt
of Kentucky to remain neutral will prove tC
/ be:
The Address of this Convention only gives
another proof of the fact that the Border
States have been treated with too much con-
sideration To these States it was believed
much should be conceded. They were regard.
ed as holding peculiar position, and they
were therefore to be treated most tenderiy.-
Well. they were so treated. While it was
apparent that certain measures ought to have
been adopted by the Government in some OF
these States in order to prevent the action
of the SecessOnists, they were not adopted
because 1t was not deemed polite to do ought
which might offend the pride of these States.
To adopt vigorous measures it was argued,
might only give the SecessiOnists good cause
for precipitating them into rebellion. But
for the treatment which they received from
the Government, they have proved most IN
grateful. Maryland and Virginia have shown
how baseIy States can act, when fOrgetful of
their duty. Missouri has been kept in her
place only by fears of force. Tennessee Is
considered as gone, and Kentucky now tells
u that she can side neither with the Govern
ment nor the rebels. The document which
has lust been issued by the Border State Con-
vention is one which every true friend of the
Union will read with indignation.
The first name appended to 1t Is that of
one who has been prominent in the councils
of the Government, and whose voice has been
often raised in favor of the Union. By sign
ing this document he has, however, lost what
prestige his name used to carry with it. At
a time when the integrity OF the Union is
threatened by a rebellious crew, he is found
irving to occupy a middle ground. When
the Government for which he has always pro-
fessed so decided an attachment, is surround
ed by foes determined to destroy it, he de-
clares that be wishes to have no part in the
strife but will be the friend of both parties
What position for the friend of Henry Clay
To occupy! What would that statesman say
of him were he now living? Can any one
imagine Henry Clay talking OF neutrality
when the Union was in danger? Certainly
not. Neither he nor any man who really
loved the Union, and possessed any force of
character, would think of neutrality in a
time like the present. There can be no neu-
traIity il regard to the present troubles. He
who is not for the Government is against it,
for not to side with it is to give comfort to
the rebels.
Mr.. Crittenden and his friends tell us that
they wish the Union preserved, but they sug-
gest very peculiar methods for preserving it..
When they know that all true Union men
are called upon to defend the Union from
the attacks of armed rebels, they want to
stop and talk about compromises. They wish
the Union preserved, but wish to take no
part in the war by which only it can be pre-
served. They tell US they are not "indiffer-
ent spectators" Oh no. Certainly nOti-
They have too much at stake to be indiffer-
emit They consider that their interests would
be irretrievably ruined by taking part for the
Union; and their sense of honor. and duty
they say, requires that they should not be
driven into war in which certain States
have chosen TO involve themselves A neu-
trail position, therefore. is demanded by heir
safety and dignity. Could anything be more
degrading than this? Could Kentucky choose
a part which would have sunk her lower in
the estimation of every Tight-minded person?
Why, We cannot read the manifesto of the
Border State Convention without asking how
men who had any self-respect could have
signed it? How could men who profess to
have any love for the Union, dare to sign
document which proves that they are insin-
cere, or that they lack common sense? 1t
would seem that veil has fallen over the
sight of those sons of Kentucky who have
heretofore been deemed worthy of high no.
nor.
The simple truth is, thai if Kentucky in
tends to occupy the position marked out
for her by the Border State Convention, then
she intends to side with the rebels. She can
not be neutral, as there can be no neutrality
in the pr esent contest. If she is not for the
Union she lie against it And if against it,
she must be dealt with accordingly. The
time for Compromises has passed, and half
way measures have been tried and found of
no avail. The nature of the present contest
l. such that rigorous measures only will pro-
duce good. The Union can tolerate no hest
tation, no lukewarmnesS. Her friends must
be active ones, for such only can afford her
real assistance.