Newbern weekly progress., 1861-01-22
LETTER FROM VICE PRESIDENT BRECK,
INRIDGE

INRIDGE.
Hon John G. Breckenridge has written let
ter to Gov. Magoffin, of KY, in which, while
favoring the compromise propositions OF Mr..
Crittenden, he expresses himself as utterly
hopeless of their being adopted. He concludes
as follows
The immediate question now presented IS,
peace or war Whether the right OF a State or
States to dissolve connection with the federal
system be reserved right or one growing out
of the Constitution, or the right ofrevolution,
the great fact lies before US, that the act has
been done and we are not permitted 10 doubt
that in few weeks seven or eight States con-
tanning larger population than the thirteen
Colonies at the epoch ofthe Revolution, will have
withdrawn from the Union and declared their
independence. Under whatever name disguised,
a collision with them will be
The dominant party here, rejecting every
thing, proposing nothing, are pursuing policy
which, under the name of reinforcing the laws"
and furnishing traitors" threatens to plunge
the country into all the caiamties of civil war.
The Federal Union cannot be preserved by
arms The attempt would unite the Southern
States in resistance, while in the North great
multitude of true and loyal men never would
consent to shed the blood of our people in the
names and under the authority of a violated
compact. A serious collision upon existing
issues would destroy whatever hope may yet
remain Of preserving or restoring the Union.
IN attempt to hold it together by the bayonet
would exceed anything yet recorded in the an
nails of human madness and folly. 1t would
bring on a war of uneXampled ferocity, in which
every vital principle Of the Union would disap
pear forever If the South should succeed in
maintaining her independence, the feudes and
animositics engendercd by the contest between
the sections would be transmitted to succeed
Eil1 cIn hn clIlYI
gated the government would become in form
and in fact consolidated, and would soon reach
the usual historical termination in military
dcspotiSm But her Suh]ugation is impossible
without determination; and that is impossible,
And vet the danger Of civil is imminent,
unless it shall he arrested by prompt and ener-
getic action, Jf before the passions Of men
become aroused, and series of untoward
events drift US into strife, kentucky and the
other border States shall calmly and firmly
present united front against it, l believe it
1nav be arrested This, too, would strengthen
all true men in the Northern States who resist
the atrocioua policy. Upon this question let
as annihilate party, The force party believe
that Kentucky and other Southern States are
ecriouSy divided on this subject / nesS this
be quickly shown to be deluson- it may
become the parent of brood ot woes.
Tne wiStlnu ri the Legislature will doubtless
provide whatever is nccdfui yet. at Il time
like this, it becomes the duty, as it Is the
i'igut, ot every man to express his opinions;
and as citizen ol the Commonwealth, |
give NV voi:r Tor a State Convention 1t is
only hy the direct action of the several States
in tncIr sovereign capacity, tliat anything c..
1rctuai now he done; and, for one, desire
that kentucky may have an opportunity to
determine, III the mort eolcmn manner, her
judgement OF her rights, and her attitude IN
the present condition Of affairs. t@hc has not
been an inactive inglor0uS member of the
Confedcracy she is in the presence of great
and startling events, and it is not her nature
to sit in llstlesS apathy, borne along by rapid
currents, without the power to direct her
course. Let her have the opportunity. through
her chosen representatives, of deciding upon
the prospect of reuniting all the States in
constitutional Union, or if that shall be impos-
Sible, let her be in position to determine he own
destiny.
This letter has grown longer than | intend
ed, although [ have adhered pretty closely to
my original purpose, rather to present facts
and my impressions of them, from this stand
point, than te enter upon elaborate discussion.
l need not say to you, my dear sir, that have
uttered nathing in obstrusive spirit but
rather reluctantly and sorrowfully. My sug-
gestions in regard to the action of Kentucky
are offered in Il spirit of loyalty to the State |
love and will ever obey. They are clearly
right, or very wrong. If right, the pleasure
will be mine to have said a timely word; if
wrong, [ will know how to bear without muir
mur all the consequences of ap honest but ter
rble mistake.
Very sincerely, your friend,
JOHN c.. BRECKINRLDGE.
Hon B. Magoffin, Governor of Kentucky.