New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-09-13
Kentucky.

Communicated to the New Orleans Crescent .-.,
| M'-. Edtor-The present position Of Kentucky
in the contest now going on between the North
| and the South, cannot be regarded but with deep
Interest, and, as consequence elicit the closest
scrutiny into the propriety of the course she
| so anxious to pursue. v'3a -'~
| Neutrality between the contending parties ap-
pears to be the wish of her people, and is strongly
urged upon the consideration of her Legislature by
her Governor. And it is urged as q reason why
she should be permitted to be neutral that the war
was commenced against her consent that it is I'M
natural and ratrcidal in its continuance and that
she cannot be party thereto.
This argument would hold good if Kentucky was
in position to claim all the rights of q neutral
leparty But she is not as shall endeayor to show
before closing this article. y
/ To be a neutral presupposes sovereign and indie
pendent power on the part of the party claiming
neutrality, having no interest with either contend
Ling party further than the friendly feeling that
| may be supposed to exist between neghboring IN
dependent nations. And it may be granted as
matter of courtesy by the belligerents, or it may
| be enforced by the armng of the neutral to com
| pei compliance to its Wishes ~ -'"
Does Kentucky occupy this position as o neutral !?
| | do not believe that any one will have the hardi-
hood to claim that she does. She is still and claims
to be one of the United States and consequently,
IN legal and constitutional view, party to this
war She has vested part of her sovereignty in
the United States, and assumed obligations to the
United States which she must discharge while a
these delegated powers, or by any act resumed her
rights as q sovereign independent State, SO that
any resistance on her part to the laws Of the Fed
erai Congress will be an act of rebellion and place
| her in hostile attitude 10 her own Government.
1t will not do for her to say that the act of the
Government is unconstitutional, or that not being
approved by her, she will not obey. The United
States Court is the Judge of all violations of the
Constitution, and not the State of Kentucky.
But admit that the commencement of the war
and the calling for seyenty-five thousand volun-
teers were unconstitutional acts, how is Kentucky
claiming still to belong to the Union and loyal
State to get over the subsequent acts of Congress
approving the war, authorizing the raising of FIVE
hundred thousand men, and voting hundreds of
millions to sustain the sanguinary schemes of the
Government, besides levying a heavy tax, and
calling upon Kentucky for her pro rata. These
acts of Congress are Constitutional, and passed in
conformity to law,yet Kentucky part and parcel
Of the Government that passed them, with her
Representatives and Senators present, says she
will resist them, and yet claim to be a neutral
with all the rights and privileges of neutrality.
The idea appears to me be simply prepostrous.
Another strange idea seems to have taken hold of
the good people Of Kentucky. They desire to be
neutral, that they may mediate between the North
and South. It is as much impossible for her to be
q mediator as it is to be a neutral. .s i
mediator must be q disnterested party en-
tirey free from bias, and prepared to give to each
party precisely what it had a. right to claim
Holding on to the North, and being still compo-
nent part of one of the belgerents, can it be ex-
peeted that the South could place much faith in
mediation that would certainly do nothing to the dis
advantage of its own Government. Now, would the
North be any more willing to trnst to a mediator
supposed to have such proclvities? So under
whatever view this idea OF mediation is taken il |
must fall 10 the ground. |
No, Mr.. Editor, the State of Kentucky has placed
herself in false position and she has but one way
to place herself right. Let her reclaim her SOW
eregn authority, and proclaim herself an independ
ent power, owing allegiance to neither United or
Confederate States then she may of right demand |
that her neutrality shall be respected and main
tain it, If need be, by force. Till then she can |
have no claim to neutrality, and must bear the |
consequence of ill-iudged measures.
/ know the spirit of majority of her brave sons
They are now chatting under the iron rule that is |
oyer them; and if those in authority do not act,
they will act for themselves. They are of US and
with us, and when they strike they will not want
southern hands and Southern hearts to sustain
them.
One remark of Gov. Magofin struck me with
surprise. In speaking of the reply of Mr.. Lincoln
he says: $ The inference seems to be fair that if
advised OF the wish of the people of Kentucky for
the removal of this force, the President would
comply with it's Had Gov. Mapofin been dealing
with a high-toned gentleman, Ike himself the in,
terence " would have been fair; - but he was deal
ing with Mr.. Lincoln, who, from his inaugural to
me very moment he was writing to Gov. Magoffin,
has done nothing that has not been slammed with |
Implicitly and double dealing The letter itself is
sufficient evidence of that fact. Mr.. Lincoln SAYS
!. oeieVe It Is true that there is a military force
u camp Wlthln kentucky, acting by authority of
the United States. also believe that some arms
have been furnished to this force by the United
States" --h -'77 = y 1900
. Now, Mr.. Lincoln did not Believe anything about
Y. He knew the fact. Why then frame his reply
N the shape Of a doubt? It was intended 10 cover
up subsequent acts bY leaving way to say that
ne was not fully advised Of the condition Of the
toree, and that now the occupation of Kentucky
lad become necessity. Yet this is the man that
he true hearted men Of Kentucky are looking to
or protection. Let them rather rely upon their
oWn strong arms and hurl the despot and his min
ons from their soil, and stand before the world
4 tne manly attitude that has heretofore been SO
distinguishing trait in their character.
=. ..., e.. SOUTH,