New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-05-22
GOV. MAGOFFIN.

1t was not necessary Tor Gov. Magoffn Of
Kentucky 10 issue proclamation to prove him
self n Secessonist ut heart. Yet be has seen lit
u do Al. lie ia by 10 means bold traitor,
either; inste id OF taking upon himself the rrspon
siblty of the step he proposes, be pretends that
many good clt'zens" have requested him TO
forbid the passage of Federal troops through the
State Of Kentucky, or the occupation by the
United States Of any post or place therein. But
this subteduge deceises no one; the "gOod citI-
- zens" arc like the Mrs. Harris of Sarry
Gaup, or like the |" friend in the city" who
always furnishes the money walcb Moses or Solo
moa lends The Kentucky Governor 10 ashamed
OF his own work, and weakly tries to thrust 1t
upon some Que else.
AS might be expected, the position taken BY
this official is untcnoblo the road by which
he reaches it is tortuous. With an impudeoce
quite stnpcndOus he warns the United states
that he-he, Gov. Magofn-" soemny forbids
"any movement upon Kentucky sol, or ocoupa-
" ton Of aDy post or place therein, for ANY pur-
% poses whatever" He then wsrns-still with his
iarcIcal roieu,uity-all the citizens Of tDe unior
tunate State which calls him Governor not t.
take arms against the Southern Rebels, but to
organize themselves into on efficient home guard
for the purpose of opposing the Federal Govern
ment If it attempts to exercise its right 70 put
down treason. He makes shallow pretense Of
cloakIng tbis distinct position, but his procama-
ton has no other meaning.
"The peaceful attitude Of Kentucky with
reference ~ the drpIcrable war now raging
" between the United aud Confederate States -
This is QUE Of Gov. Mugoflin'. most luminous
sentences. Que would think that KehIucky was
calm, somewhat bored spectator Of o drama,
to see when she had merely taken private
box, but in which she had no special interest
after the fail Of the curtain upon the first or
second act. II is not possible that even Gov.
Magofn can DO 30 deplorably deficient III
the article Of brain as to imagine that any one
of these United States can be neutral party in
tho present struggle. VINO is not for us 10
against us-an AXIOM too plain to require stating
TIL this iucODcersble proclamation made i,s up
pcaruDce. There il uo such thing as neutrality
possible. If this manifesto has any Inoauing
whutcyer-a matter not yet beg ond question-
il says that the presence Of United States troops
upon the soil u Kentucky will be resisted.
WHAT then becomes vi the neutrality, the
peaceful attitude" OI that State
The Governor who made tho singular official
paper here alluded to has taken oath Of ulc-
GAUGE ~ tho Constitution OF the United States.
lie may not have understood the meaning Of that
oath. JUDGED, when tdIs latest evidence Of his
mental capacity il taken into the account, 1t
seems quite Improbable that be could have COM
pretended the significance Vi what he swore to
do. Yet he must have sone friend who can tell
him that no is now breaking bis oath, aud putting
himself in the position VI u rank traitor. If this
Is stated to hun with great simplicity aud dis
tiuctaess no may grasp it
1t 10 a matter OF very little consequence what
Gov. Magcfin OF Kentucky says, or what sort Of
uroclaInutlons he makes. The loyal people in
thess days have very little regard for treasona-
bio or inbecile officials, even though they DO
Governors. Tue leyai people Of Kentucky have
declared. with d voice still vibrating through
tho land. that they VIII sustain the Federal Gov.
ernment us far as possible with heart, hand, sud
purse Thcy have armed themselves they have
n.a ....h .sa -t.l. .s-. "a