Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-09-03
Things In Kennedy.

The condition of Kentucky is one that is
well calculated to excite apprehension. Every
day gems to add to the probability that the
two parties into which herpeople are divided
will be brought in violent collision with each
other. The result of war within the State
supposing that there is to be no interference
upon either side by forces from without--it
is difficult to foresee from the fact that we
have no means fully to estimate the state of
preparation, moral as we'll as material, to
which the parties have arrived. One party,
there is reason to believe, is prepared to fght
the question is whether the other is equally
ready to begin the combat. 1t is not so much
a question of aims and ammunition, as of
resolution, promptitude and determination.
"When the different classes says writer
upon the insurrection in Paris, in l792-
'during the convulsions of a revolution, are
brought into collision, the virtuous and pru-
dent have no sort of chance with the violent
and ambitious, unless the whole virtuous
members of the community are early reused
20 sense of their danger, and msnfully unite
in resisting. In the later stages Of such
troubles, it is extremely difficult for them TO
recover their ascendancy: unless they are
resolute and united it is impossible. There
is another consequence of the same princi-
pie. In the shock of battle gentleness and
humanity are OF little avail: audacity and
courage are decisive qualities. In the con-
tests of factions, wisdom and moderation
hau aa inA viz
restrained by scrupes to which the unprin-
cipled are strangers: difficulties which ap-
pear insurmountable to men accustomed to
weigh the consequences of their actions van
ish before the recklessness of those who have
nothing to lose. 1t was early seen in the
Revolution, that the men with poniards
would sooner or later carry the day against
the men with principles; and that the latter
upon tie first reverse, must prepare for exile
or death"
Humanity does not differ greatly, one
country with another in respect to its modes
of proceeding; and that which was true in
France is true in America. The Union men
in Kentucky must not only be prepared to
strike at the first outbreak, but they must
strike. 1t is not question of majority, but
one Of mptitude-audacity.
Murat said that with three hundred asSas-
Sins, he would govern France, and cause
three hundred thousand heads to fall; and
the events of the second of September, 1892
in which five thousand persons were mas.
sacred by less than three hundred, in the
face Of all Paris, justified his opinion. The
time to prevent the slaughter was suffered
to go by in irresolution; and the revolu.
tionary ball then set in motion did not cease
its progress until France was bathed in blood.
For the Union-c conservative people of Ken
tucky, there is but one course that is com
patible with safety-instantsneou and de-
cisive action, on the first symptom of dis
turbance. The destruction of the leaders
will dismay the followers. The dispersion
of the insurgent bodies will discourage the
advance of Confederate troops from Tenues-
see, and the work may be done without the
Intervention of armies from the North,
which, under the circumstances, is desirable.
The Union men of Kentucky must not rely
entirely upon enlisted and organized forces
They must rush together, in twos, tens,
flties ard hundreds, and do the work at
once. The progress of an insurrection is
like tina; of malignant erysipelas. 1t
tegins with sptek, but spreads with rapid
ity. 70 wait until troops can arrive from a
distance will be like sending 10 far-off city
for physician, leaving the disease 10 gather
strength and invade the vital energies Of the
patient. If there is a moral preparation,
which will bring men up to this point, the
State is safe: otherwise it is only through
much tribulation that it will be redeemed.