Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1861-06-21
A MAGNIFICENT ARGU MENT.
THE UNION FOREVER.
A KENTUCKIAN SPEAKS.
LETTER FROM HON. JOS. HOLT.
THE UNION FOREVER.
LETTER FROM HON. JOS. HOLT.
WASHINGTON, May 81, 1861.

| The recent overwhelming vote in favor
Of the Union in Kentucky, mas afforded
unspeakable qualification to ali true men
throughout the country. That vote in
dicates that-the people Of that gallant
Estate have been neither seduced by the
arts, nor terrified by the menaces of the
rcvoutionists in their midst, and that it
is their fixed purpose to remain faithful
to u 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 Il
band 1f agitators, who, though few in
number, are yet powerful from the pub
| he confidence they have enjoyed. and
VINO have been, and doubtless will con-
tnue TO De, unceasing III their endeav-
ors to force Kentucky to unite her for
tunes with the rebel Coniederacy of the
south. In view oT this, and the we'll
known fact that several of the seeded
States have by fraud and violence been
driven to occupy their present false ant
| fatal position, L cannot, even with the
encouragement OF her late vote before
me, look upon the political future Of our
native State wlthOuta painful sollcitude.
Never have the honor and safety Of her
people required the exercise OF so much
Vigilance and OF SO much courage Oh
their part. Ii true to themselves, the
stars and stsipes, which, like angels
wings, have SO long guarded their homes
from every oppression, will still be theirs;
but ii; chasing the DRAINS Of other mems
ambition, they shall prove false, the
blackness OF darkness can but family
predict he doom that awaits them
The Legislature, it seems, has deter
mia ID, by resolution, that the State,
pending the preseut unhappy war, shall
occupy neutral ground. | must say. in
all irankuess, and without desiring to
reject upon the course or sentiments of
any, that III this struggle for the exist
ence OF our Government, can neither
practice, nor profess, nor feel neutral
itY. L wculd as soon think OF being
neutral IN a contest between an officer of
justice and an inceEdiarv, arrested in
an attempt to fire the dwelling over my
he'd; 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 OIL this side of the
grave. Ii, however, from natrral hor
ror Of fratricidal strife, or fro N hei in
innate social and business relations with
the South, Kentucky shall determine
to maintain the neutral attitude assumed
for her by her Legislature, her position
will still be an honorable one. though
falling far short Of that fail measure Of
loyalty which her history has 50 con
stantiy illustrated. Her Executive i--
noring, as oul happy to believe. alike
the popular and Legislative sentiment
Of the State, has, by proclamation, for
bitden the Government oF the United
States from marching troops acros~ aer
territory. This is, in no sense, {; ueu-
trial step, but one OF aggressive hostility
The troops Of the Federal Government
have as clear Constitutional right to
pass over the soil Of kentucky as they
have to march along the streets OF Wash
ington, and could this prohibition be
effective, ii would not onIy be violation
Of the fundamental law, but would, in
in all its tendencies. be directly in ad-
vancement of the revolution, and might,
i'll All emergency easily imagined, com
Epromise the highest national interests
was rejoived that the lie e-islatule
so promptly refused to indorse this
proclamation as expressive Of the true
policy Of the State. But I turn away
from even this to the ballot box, and
find an abounding consolation in the
conviction it inspires, thas the popular
heart OF Kentucky. IN its devotion to
the Union, is far in advance alike OF
Legislative resolve and Of Executive
proclamation.
But as it is we'll understood that the
late popular demonstration has rather
scotched than killed rebellion in Ken
tucky, | propose inquiring, as briefly
as practicable, whether. i'll the recent nc
tion or present declared policy CT the
Administration or ia the history Of she
, pending revolution, or i'll the objects il
) seeks to accomplish, or in the results
: which must foiow from it, if successful
there can be discovered any reason why
that State should sever the ties thai
unite her with conIederacy in whose
councils and upon whose battle feids-she
has won so much fame, and under whose
protection she has enjoyed SO muci
prosperity.
For more than month after the in
auguration of President Lincoln, th'
; manifestations seemed uncquivocal tha
his Administration would seek L peace
tul solution Of our unhappy politica
troubles, and would look TO time all,
: amendments to the Federal Constitution
adopted in accordance with its provis
ions, to bring back the revolted State
to their allegiance. So marked WIS th
effect Of these manifestations in tran
iquilizing the border States, and in reas
e surlng their loyalty, that the ,pira
is tors who had set this revolution on foo
took the alarm While affecting to des
:, pise these States as not sufficiently iden
o titled in their devotion to African seryi
tude, they we'll knew they could neye
: succeed in their reasonable enterpris
without their support. Hence 1t WAS re
r. solved to preci pltate collision OF arm
If with the Federal authorities in the hop
!, that, under the panic and exasperatioI
is incident to the commencement OF IL ciNi
war, the border States, following tn
natural bent of their sympathies, wouI
array themselves against the Govern
ment. Fort Sumter, occupied by Il lee
bic garrison, and gird!ed by powerful,
:. not lmpreynaDte batteries, atiordcd con
re Ycn;enl means tor accomplishing tnet
Is purpose, ANA Tor testing also 'helr iAv"i
:. lite Theory, rhut blood Was needed 70 <
:; mept the new Conteueracy. Its proVl:
lions were exhausted, and the reque'