Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-06-20
A Magnificent Argument
The nion Forever!
KENTUCKrAN SPEAKS!
LETTER FROM HON. JOS. HOLT.
WAsHlNGrOy, Nav 81. 1861.

WASHINGTON, May 81, 1861.
j. L. SPEED, Eso.-My Dear Sir: The
recent overwhelming vote in favor Of the
Union, in Kentucky, has afforded unspeak-
able qualification to all true men throughout
the country. That vote indicates that the
people of that gallant State have been neith-
er seduced by the arts nor terrified BY the
menaces Of the reyolutioRists in their midst,
and that it is their fixed purpose to remain
faithful to Government which, for now
nearly seventy years, has remained faithful
to them. Still, it cannot be denied that
there is in the bosom OF that State band
of agitators, who, though few in number,
are yet powerful from the public confidence
they have enjoyed, and who have been, and
doubtless will continue to be, unceasing in
their cndeavols to force Kentucky to unite
her fortunes with the rebel Confedcracy of
the South. In view of this, and Of the well
known fact that several of the seeded States
have by fraud and violence been driven to
occupy their present false and fatal position
| cannot. even with the encouragement Of
her late vote before me, look upon the po-
ltlcal future of our native State without a
painful solicitude. Never have the safety
aud honor of her people required. the exer-
else OF so much vigilance and Of so much
courage ON their part. If true to themselves,
the stars and stripes, which, like angel $
wings, have so long guarded their homes
from every oppression, will still be theirs ;
but if, chasing the dreams of other men 5
ambition, they shall prove false, the black
ness Of darkness can but family predict the
doom that awaits them. The Legislature,
it seems, has determined by resolution, that
the State, pending the present unhappy war,
shall occupy neutral ground. must say,
in all frankness and without desiring to re-
fleet upon the course or sentiments of any,
that in this struggle for the existence of our
Government, | can neither practice nor pro-
fess, nor feel neutrality. | would as soon
think Of being neutral in contest between
an officer Of justice and an iacendary, ar.
rested in an attempt to fire the dwelling over
my head for the Government whose over
throw is sought, is for me the shelter not
only of home, kindred and friends, but of
every earthly blessing which | can hope to
enjoy on this side of the grave. If, how
ever, from Il natural horror of fratrcidal
strife or from her intimate social and bust
ness relations with the South, Kentucky
shall determine to maintain the neutral at
titute assumed for her by her Legislature
her position will still lie an honorable one,
though falling far short of that full measure
of loyalty which her histury ha, 80 con 4tant-
ly illustrated. He, Executive. ignoring, Il.
/ am happs t, bsifsvc, alike the popular and
Legislative sentiment of the State has by
proclamation, forbidden the Government of
the Unitei States from marching troop,
across her territory. This is, in no sense, a
neutral atep, but one of aggressive hostility.
The troops OF the Federal Government have
a. clear Cuns,i.u.!onal right to pass ovef
the soil o! Kentucky u they have to march
along the streets OF Washington, unl coull
this prohibition be elfe2tve, il would no.
ouly be violation OF the funlamcnial law,
but would, i'll all its tendencies, be directly
inadyanccmcnt Of the revolution, and might,
in an emergency easily imagined, cUmpro
mise the highest national interests. WA
reioiccd that the Legislature % promptly
refused to endorse this proclamation as eX-
pressive of the true policy of the State, =
But turn away from even this to the balior-
box, and find an ahoundiug consolation IN
the conviction it in pires, that the popu.a!
heart of Kentucky, in it's devotion to the
| Union isiar in lvancn alike Of Legislative
resolve and of Executive proclamation.
But, as it is well understood that the late
popular demonstration has rather scotched
than killed rebellion in Kentucky, propose
inquiring, as briefly as practicable, whether
in the recent action or present declared
policy of the Administration, or in the hi;
tory of the pending revolution, Or in the
objects it seeks to accomplish, or in the re
suits which must follow from it, if succe S
| full, there can he discovered any reasons why
/ that State, should sever the ties that unit
her with n contedcracy in whose councils ant
upon whose battle fields she has won 81
much fame, and under whose protection sht
has enjoyed so much prosperity.
For more than Il month after the inaugu
ration of President Lincoln, the manifesto
tions seemed unequivocal that his Admin
istation would seek peaceful solution o
our unhappy political troubles, and woul'
look to time and amendments to the FEEDER
al Constitution, adopted in accordance witt
its provisions, to bring back the revolte'
States to their allegiance. So marked wa
the effect of these manifestations in tran
auilzng the border States, and in reassur
ing their loyalty, that the conspirators VIII
had set this revolution on foot took the alarm
While affecting to despise these States as nc
sufficiently identified in their devotion I
African servitude, they well knew they coul
never succeed in their reasonable enterprls
without their support. Hence it was resol,
ed to precipitate collision of arms with tn
Federal authorities, in the hope that, unde
the panic and evaporation incident to tn
!. commencement of civil war, the bordt
!, States following the natural bent of the
sympathies, would array themselves again
the Government. Fort Sumter, occupie
by feeble garrison, and girdlcd by powerful
!, If not impregnable batteries, afforded col
) venient means for accomplishing their pu
pose. and for testing also their tavorite th
ory that blood was needed to cement I'll
new Confederacy. Its provisions were c!
hausted, and the request made by the Pre-
ident, in the interests of peace and huma
ity, for the privilege Of replenishing i
stores, had been refused. The Confederat
authorities were aware--for SO the gallal
: commander of the fort had declared to the
that IL, two days a capitulation from sta
vation must take place. A peaceful sure
10 der, however, would not have subseved the
al aims They sought the clash of arms, 81
\ effusion of blood as an instrumentality T
4 impressing the border States. and tn
y sought the humiliation of the Governme
) and the dishonor of its flag as means
b giving prestige to their own cause. The I
suit is known. Without the slightest prov
ID cation, heavy cannonade was opened up
nd the fort, and borne by its helpless garris