Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-10-26
3 ADDRESS OF THE HON JOHN Q. BRICK
81 INPIDfR& = $


dor only the closing portions. After reviewing the
outrageous course Of the Kentucky Legislature in
turning over that gallant State to Lincoln and his
mnons, Mr. B. SAYS: -
Feilow-citzens, you have to do now not with this
fragment of Legislature with its treason bills and
taxi bills, with its woiu subsersiency to every de-
'nand Of the Federal despotsm, and its woful neg
lect of every right OF the Kentucky CITIZEN but you
have TO deal with power which respects neither
constitution or laws. and which, if successful, will
reduce you to the condition of PROSTATE and bleed
ing Maryland. Gen. nderson the military dicta-
tor Of Kentucky, announces in one Of his proclama-
tions that he will arrest who does not act, write
or spenk in opposition to Mr. Lincolns Government.
1t would have completed the idea if he had added,
or think in opposition TO it Look at the condition
of our State under the rule of new protectors.
They have suppressed the freedom OF speech aud OF
the press. They seize people by military force up
ION mere suspicion, and impose on them oaths un-
known to the laws. Other citizens they inIprison
without warrant, and carry them out of the State so
that the writ of habeas corpus cannot reach them.
Every day, foreign armed bands making seiz-
ureS among the people Hundreds of citizens, old
and young venerable magistrates. whose lives have
been distinguished by the love of the people, have
been compelled to fly from their homes and families
to escape Imprisonment and exile at the hands
Of Northern and German soldiers under the orders
of Mr.. Lincoln and his military subortlnates While
yet holding an important political trust confided by
family or suffer Imprisonment and exile II is ask
ed why did not meet the arrest and seek a trial,
my answer is, that would have welcomed an ar
rest to be followed by judge and jury; but you
well know that could not have secured these con.
stitutional rights | would have been transported
beyond the State, to languish in some Federal tor
tress during the pleasure Of the oppressor Witness
the fate of Morehead and his Kentucky associates IN
their distant and gloomy prison.
The case Of the gentleman just mentioned Is an
example of many others, and it meets every element
in definition of deSpoIiSm. If it should occur in
England it would be rghtef or it would Overturn
the British Empire. lie is citizen and native OF
Kentucky. As a member of the Legislature
Speaker of the House. Representative in Congress
from Ashland District, and Governor of the State,
you have known, trusted and honored him during
a public service of u quarter Of century lie is
eminent for his ability, his amable character, and
his blameesS lilt. Yet this man, without indict-
ment without warrant, without accusation, but 10y
the order of President Lincnln was seized at md
night, in his own house and in the midst OF his fam
u, led TIN Ough the streets Of Louisville, as am
informed with his hands crossed and pinOned be
fore him. carried out Of the State and District
and now lies prisoner IN fortress IN New York
harbor, thousand miles away DO you think that
any free Legislature ever assembled in Kentucky
since the days Of Charles Scott and Isaac Shelby,
until now would have permitted such spectacle to
diShonor the State? NJ! fellow citizens, the Leg
slature could not have been free!
would speak of these things with the simple
soemnity which their magnitude demands yet it
is difficult to restrain the expression OF just lndig
nation while we smart under such cnormities. MIR.
Lincoln has thousands Of soldiers on our soil, nearly
all from the North, and most of them foreigners,
whom he employs as his instruments to do these
things But few Kentnckians have enlisted under
his standard, for not yet accustomed to his
peculiar form of liberty.
will not pursue the disSraceful subject. Has
Kentucky passed out of the control of her own peo
pie? Shall hrelngs of the pen recently imported
from the North, sitting in grand security at the
Capitol, force public opinion to approve these usur-
pations, and point out victims? Shall Mr.. Lincoln,
through his German mercenarieS, impIison or exile
the children of the men who laid the foundations OF
the Commonwealth, and compel our noble people to
exhaust themselves in furnishing the money to de-
stroy their own freedom? Never while Kentucky
remains the Kentucky of old-never while thou
sands of her gallant sons have the will and the nerve
to make the State sing to the music OF their rifles
The Constitution Of the United States which these
invaders unconstitutionally swear every citizen
whom they unconStitu:onaly seize, to support has
been wholly abolished. 1t as much forgotten as if
it lay back in the twilight of history. The facts |
have enumerated show that the very rights most
carefully reserved by it to States and to individuals
have been most conSpcuosly violated And this
destruction has been accomplished not by the Presi
dent alone but by the Congress also, and with the
approval OF MS Northern SlaieS anu peOpIc. IuSy
have deliberately made the contest constitutional
struggle between So many millions on one side and
many on the other-Onc party fighting for Suau-
CATION the other in Sclfdecnsc and for independence
Whatever may be the future relations of the two
confedcracics the idea of restoration OF the Union
under the old constitution, is wholly visionary and
dclusiye. If the North should conquer the South,
(which it will perceive to he impossible after a few
hundred millions more shall tie expended and a few
hundred thousand lives loSt) the character of the
Government would be radically changed. 1t would
probably not take the form of a mixed govern
nent, but would soon end in military despotsm
1t must soon become apparent to all thoughtful men
that the last hope of constitutional liberty lies in
the carly recognition of these great truths-n an
honorable peace and friendly intercourse.
You declared your purpose not to engage IN the
war to Subdne the South, and that you would be
neutral and mediate in the interests Of peace when
opportunity shod Offer This is the recorded will
of the State expressed by the people. But those
who assume to represent you have violated that
will. They have attempted to burden you with
enormous taxes to prosecute war you abhor and
| to sustain government which has trampled under
| foot every safeguard of Constitution which was
! the only bond Of your political connection with it,
while they have allowed that government TO cut you
off from the only avenues Of trade which would en-
| able you to pay these taxes They have invited
military force of that government to take possession
of the State, and practically supcrcede the State
! Government and they have Seen with complacency,
these foreign soldiers seize, irnprison and pursue
hundreds of your Observation-Disclosures, without
crime-over the plains and mountains Of Kentucky.
! In a word, they have attempted. without consulting
you, and against your recorded wishes to place you
in active hostility to your Southern brethren, and
to fix your political destiny with the North.
Whatever may be the condition motives Of the
/ members at Frankfort, they have exceeded their
thority. No legislative assembly other body,
other than one elected by your Sovereign Voice for
that purpose, has the right in this great revolution
to determine, finally, your political future. The
| people, although taken by surprise, and almost un-
armed, have risen to indicate their wishes and
| pei the Northern invaders. The eagerness with