The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-06-22

BILE qualification to all true men throughout the
country. That vote indicates that the people Of
that gallant State have been neither seduced by
the arts nor terrified BY the menaces of tho re-
yolutionists in their midst. and that it is their
fixed purpose to remain faithful to the Govern
ment which, for nearly seventy years, has re-
manned faithful 70 them. Still it cannot be de-
MED 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, vnceasing in their endeavors
to force Kentucky to unite her fortunes with
those Of the Rebel Confederacy of the South
In view Of this and of the wellknown fact that
several of the seeded States have by fraud and
violence been driven to occupy their present
false fatal position, / cannot, even with the en-.
couragement of her late vote before me, look
upon the political future of our native State
without painful solicitude. Never have the
safety and honor of her people required the ex-
ercise OF 90 much vigilance and OF so much
courage on their part. If true to themselves,
the stars and stripes, which, like angels wings,
have so long guarded their homes from every
oppression, will still be theirs; but i, chasing
the dreams of mems ambition, they shall prove
false, the blackness Of darkness can but family
predict the gloom that awaits them. The Legis-
iasure, il seems, has determined by resolution
that the State, pending the present unhappy
war. shall occupy neutral ground. must say,
in ali frankness and without daring to reflect
ucon the course or sentiments Of any, that, in
this struggle for the existence of our Govern
,nent, can neither practice nor profess nor feel
neutrality, / would as soon think of being
neutral in contest between an officer OF justice
and an incendiary arrested in an attempt to fie
the dwelling over my head for the Government
whose overthrow 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. II, however, from q
natural horror of fratricidal strife, or from her
intimate, social and business relations with the
South, Kentucky shall determine to maintain the
natural attitude assumed foI her by her Legisla-
ture her position will still be an honorable one,
though falling far snort of that full measure of
loyalty which her history has SO constantly illus
trated Her Executive, ignoring, as am happy
to believe, alike the popular aud legislative cen
timent Of the State, has, by proclamation, for
hidden the Government OF the United States
from marching troops across her territory. This
is in no sense, neutral step, but one Of agrees
sive hostility. The troops of the Federal Gov
eminent have as clear constitutional right to
pass over the soil oil Kentucky as they have to
march along the streets of Washington; and
only lie violation of the fundamental law. but
would, in all it, tendencies, be- directly in sd.
vancement of the revolution, and might, in an
emergency easily imagined, compromise the high
est national interests. l was Iejoiced that the
Legislature SO promptly refused to indorse this
proclamation as expressive of the true policy OF
the State. But turn away from even this to
the ballot-box, and find an Astounding consola-
ton in the conviction it inspires, that the popu-
lar heart of Kentucky, in its devotion TO the
Union, is far in advance alike of legislative re-
solve and of Executive proclamation
But as it is well understood that the late pop
ular demonstration has rather scotched than
killed rebellion in Kentucky, Ipropose inquirng,
AS briefly as practicable, whether, in the recent
action or present declared policy OF the Admin
istraton or in the history OF the pending revo-
luton, or in the objects it seeks to accomplish,
or in the results which must follow from it, if
successful, there can be discovered any reasons
why that State should sever the ties that unite
her with Confederacy in whose councils and
upon whose batte-felds she has won so much
honor, and under whose protection she has en-
joyed so much prosperity.
For more than month after the Inauguration
of President Lincoln, the manifestations seemed
unequivocal that his Administration would seek
peaceful solution of our unhappy political
troubles, and would look to time and amend
ments to the Federal Constitution, adopted in
accordance with its provisions, to bring back the
revolted States to their allegiance. So marked
was the effect Of these manifestations in tranquil
izing the Border States, and in reassuring their
loyalty, that the conspirators who had set this
revolution on foot took the alarm. While af
fecting to despise these States as not sufficiently
intensified in their devotion to African servitude,
they knew they could never succeed in their trea
sonable enterprise without their support
Hence it was resolved to precipitate a collision
of arms with the Federal authorities, in the hope
that, under the panic and evaporation incident
to the commencement of civil war, the Border
States, following the natural bent of their SYM
pathies, would array themselves against the
Government. Fort Sumter, occupied by a
feeble garrison, and girdled by powerful if not
impregnable batteries, afforded convenient
means for accomplishing Their purpose, and for
testing also their favorite theory that blood was
needed to cement the new Confederacy. Its
provisions were exhausted and the request made
by the President in the interests of peace and
humanity, for the privilege Of repienishing its
stores, had been refused. The Confederate
authorities were aware--for so the gallant com.
mander Of the fort had declared to them--that
in two days capitulation from starvation must
take place. A peaceful surrender, however,
would not have subseIved their aims. They
sought the clash OF arms and the etfusion OF
blood as an instrumentality for impressing the
Border States, and they sought the humiliation
of the Government and the dishenor OF its flag as
d means Of giving prestige to their own cause.
The result is known. Without the slightest o.
vocation heavy cannonaje was opened upon
the fort, and borne by it's helpless garrison for
hours without reply, and when, in the progress
OF the bonn ardment, the fOrtihcations became
wrapped in flames, the bssieging batteries, in
violation of the usages of civilized warfare, In
stead of relaxing or suspending, redoubed
their fires. A more Yanton or wicked war was
never commenced on any government whose his
tory has been written. Contemporary with and
following the fall of Sumter the siege of Fort
Pickens was and still is actively pressed the
property OF the United States Government con
tlnued to be seized wherever found, and its
troops by fraud or force, captured in the state
of Texas in violation of a solemn compact with
its authorities that they should be permitted to
embark without mOlestatiOn. This was the re-
onital which the Lone Star State made 10 brave
men who, through long years OF peril and priva-
ton, had guarded it's frontiers against the incur
sions of the savages. In the midst of the most
active and extended warlike preparations in the
South the announcement was made by the Sec
rotary of War of the seeded States, and echoed
with taunts and insolent bravadoes 10y the South.
ern lress, that Washington City was to be in.
vaded and captured, aud that the Aag OF the
Confederate States would soon float over the
dome Of its Capitol. Soon thereafter there fol-
lowed an invitation to all the world embracing
the outcasts and desperadoes OF
every sea--to accept letters of marpue and re-
prisal, to prey upon the rich and unprotected
commerce of the United States
In view of these events and threatenings, what
was the duty OF the Chief MAGISTRATE of the Re-
publics He might have taken counesl of the
revolutionists and trembled under rhcir mega
ces lie might, upon the fall of Sumter, have di,
rected that Fort Pickens should be surrendered
without firr 6 gun in its defense, and proceed.
ing yet further, and meeting fully the require
ments of the :. let us alone policy insisted on 10
the South, he might have ordered that the stars
and stripes should be laid in the dust in the pres
ence efevery bit of rebel bunting that might .ap
pear. But ne did none of these things, nor could
he have done them without forgetting his oath
and betraying the most sublime trust that has
eyer beer con6ded to the hands of man. With
a heroic fidelity TO his constitutional obligations,
feeling justly that these obligations charged him
with the protection of the republic and It's Capt.