Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-09-17
Governor Magomn,s Veto Message.
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY,
Executive Department, Sept. Is, 1861. (


Executive Department, Sept. Is, 1861.
Gentlemen Of the House Of Representatives:
A joint resolution in relation to the with
drswal of Confederate troops from Kentucky
SOIL" which passed both branches of the Gen
eral Assembly on the 18th inst, was yester-
day submitted to me for my official sanction.
In view of all my responsibilities to the peo-
pie of this Commonwealth, | am compelled
to withhold from this resolution my approba-
ton. But desiring to occasion no unneces-
sary delay to your action, l now promptly
return it to the House in which it originated,
with my veto and objections.
The people of Kentucky have, through
their Representatives in the General Aasem-
bly,, and on three several occasions at the
polls, distinctly assumed for the State posi-
ton of strict neutrality between the belliger-
ent parties to the pending war. That posi-
ton l have sincerely and faithfully endea-
vored to maintain. The manifest advantage
of such an attitude, and the fatal results of
its abandonment, l have endeavored to ex-
hibit in my recent message to you, wherein /
earnestly recommended to the General As
sembly the prompt passage of resolutions re-
curing both belligerents to keep off our soil
and to respect, in good faith, the neutrality
which the people of Kentucky, with unexam-
Piled unanimity, in good faith, desire to pre-
serve." 1 regard the almost simultaneous
occupation of Paducah by the Federal troops,
and of Columbus by the Confederate forces,
as equally palpable and open violations of
the neutral rights of Kentucky. Unless there
fore it is the purpose of the General Assem-
bly, to abandon all pretense of neutrality and
to commit Kentucky to active cooperation
with the United States Government in the
prosecution of the war, by surrendering her
soil to the unconditional occupation of the
Eo6oraf Il uuhu
should be given to one party and refused to
the other. Manifestly. resolution requiring
the withdrawal of one belligerent from Ken
lucky soil, and failing to demand like with
drawal of the forces of the other, can be con-
strued no otherwise than as an acquiescence
on your part in the occupation of the State
by the other.
In this acquiescence cannot concur with
you, but now take occasion again earnestly
TO recommend the passage of resolutions ur-
ging upon each government the withdrawal
OF their respective forces, and the future OBJ
servance OF the neutrality of Kentucky. /
do not doubt that such action upon your
part would be respected by both the bellig-
erents, and thereby the peace of our State
preserved.
Having determined conscisntioasiy to act
in accordance with just view OF duty re-
sulting from the neutrality OF the State be-
tween belligerents, Directing sOlemnly to the
occupation of Kentucky son by either, and
believing thxt the abandonment of this posi-
tien of the State, thrice chosen and asserted
by the people, viii not only result in max
ing Kentucky the thestre of long military OPP
erations, but will produce and be followed by
civil war ct home.
I respectfully return to you the rssolu-
tons. with this, my veto and objections, Tor
your consideratioR. --