Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-05-23
Proclamation by the Governor.

Whereas, numerous applications have been
made to me from many good citizens of this
Commonwealth, praying me to issue proc
Iamation forbidding the march OF any forces
of this or any other State or States over our
soil to make an apprehended attack upon
the Federal forces at Cairo, in Illinois, or to
disturb any otherwise the peaceful attitude of
Kentucky with reference to the deplorable
war now waging between the United States
and the Confederate States. And whereas,
numerous applications from like good citi-
zens of this Commonwealth have also been
mad 10 me, praying me to issue proclama-
ton forbidding the occupation of any post or
p ace, or the march over our sacred soil by
any force of the United States for any puI-
pose. And whereas, it is made fully evident,
by every Indication of public sentiment, that
it is the determined purpose of the good peO-
pie of Kentucky to maintain, with courage
Gus firmness, the fixed determination of self
defense, proposing or intending no invasion
or aggressions towards any other State or
States, forbidding the quatering of troops up
on her soil by either of the hostile sections,
but simply standing aloof from an unnatural,
horrid and lamentable strife, for the exis-
tence of which Kentucky. neither by thought,
word. nor act, is in any wise responsible
And whereas, the policy thus recommended
by so many of my fellow-citiZens of all po-
litical leanings. is, in my Judgment, wise,
peaceful safe, and honorable, and the most
likely to preserve peace and amity between
the neighboring bordering States on both
shores of the Ohio river, and protect Ken
tucky, generally. from the ravages of de-
plorable war. And whereas, the arms dis
trihuted to the estate Guard" composed as
it is of gentlemen equally conscientious and
honest, who entertain the opinions of both
parties are not to be used dQdine the FEDERAL
Government nor the Confederate States, but to re-
sist and prevent encrOachments upon her
soil, her rights, her honor, and her sovereign
ty by either of the belligerent parties, and to
preserve the peace, safety, prosperity, and
happiness, and strict neutrality of her people,
in the hope she may soon have an opportu-
nifty to become a successful mediator between
them; and in order to remove the unfounded
distrust and suspicious of purposes to force
Kentucky out of the Union, at the point of
the bayonet-which may have been strongly
and wickedly engendered in the public mind
in regard to my own position and that of the
state Guard"
Now, therefore. /, BERIAH MAGOFFIN,
Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
and Comma nder-in- Chief of all her military
forces, on land or water, have issued this my
proclamation. hereby notifying and warning
all other States, whether separate or united,
and especially the sUnited States" and the
Confederate States" that l solemDly forbid
any movement upon the soil of Kentucky or
the occupation of any port, post, or place
whatever within the lawful boundary and
jurisdiction of this State. by any of the forces
uuder the orders of the States aforesaid, for
any purpose whatever, until authorized by
invitation or permission of the Legislative
and Executive authorities of this State pre-
viously granted. L alse hereby especially
and solemnly forbid all good citizens of this
Commonwealth, whether incorporated in the
State Guard or otherwise, making any
warlike or hostile demonstrations whatever
against any of the authorities aforesaid, ear
nestly requesting all citizens, civil and mill
tary. to be obedient hereto; TO be obedient to
the laws and lawful orders of both the civil
and military authorities; to remain when off
military duty quietly and peaceably at their
homes, pursuing their wonted lawful avoca-
tons; to refrain from all words and acts
likely to engeuder hot blood and provoke
collision; to pursue such line of wise con-
duct as will promote peace and tranquility
and sense of safety and security, and thus
keep far away from our beloved land and
people the deplorable calamities of invasion;
but at the same time earnestly counseling
my tellow-citzens of Kentucky to make
prompt and efficient preparations to assume
the armor and attitude prescribed by the
paramount aud supreme law of self-defence
and strictly of selfdefence alone; praying
Almighty God TO have US evermore in his
holy Keeping, and to preserve Us in peace,
prosperity, and security forever.
- In testimony whereof, have here
IT, unto set my name, and caused the
| ! seal OF the Commonwealth to be af-
~ fixed. Done at Frankfort, this the
goth day of May, A. D. 1861, and in the Goth
year of the Commonwealth.
By the Governor: b. MAGOFFIN.
THos. b. MONROE, JR, Secretary of State.