Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-18


honor aud power Of the Confederate Government TO the
maintenance intact of the integrity Of all our territory
Why ask Congress to repeat every session what they
already pledged to by every obligation OF honor II
the adoption OF this resolution could have any effect It
would be throw shade of suspicion upon the integ.
y and honor Of this government in regard to It's for
mer pledges and former official action. Such indeed
would be theological result Of this resolution If il could
have any at all. Our fixed and unalterable determine
ton TO maintain both independence and territorial
integrity having already been published to the world in
the most solemn form, constrained to oppose the
policy Of the resolution. -I' n --f
leone now Mr. Speaker speak briefly of the attitude
Of Kentucky. declare that in my Judgment there has
been no period Of single month since this war began
during which Federal Government could have retained
power in the State if the people Of Southern sentiment
had been on terms of equality with them. this con-
test had been left alone to the people of the State de-
eide and settle for themselves whether it had been at
the balotbOx the field of battle long ere this the
destiny of Kentucky would have been permanently fixed
| with the South. And although you have seen Ken
tuckys loyalty boosted Of through Northern reports
| coming from members of the FederaHCongress from
Kentucky still there has been single day when they
were willing TO the fortunes of the State in the
hands Of the Union party ia Kentucky. No, sir, |
sert what every Kentuckan this floor will bear me
out in that in most Of the cities and little towns in
he State the Provost Marshas would dare attempt
g. execute the mandates Of their master without having
At their backs band Of soldiers imported from some
other State across the Ohio river. 1t has been bat
day or two since you read message from James y.
Robertson who calls himself Governor OF the Estate
OF him shall say word. Magofn, who once the
Governor, forced bv bayonets to resign and this
man Robertson Is psurper.
he is no Governor by the choice Of the people, but
an incumbent per force of Lincoln bayones Even in
his message you may perceive the pressure of public
opinion strong upon him that he is bound TO condemn
Lincolns policy WHILE in his heart Of hearts, he is
as great slave to the infamous tyrant ever bowed
the feet of power and large majority of his
legislature Sir at the last State election when Circuit
Judges we're elected throughout the State, n August
last OF one hundred aud sixty thousand in the
ate there less than forty thousand p0lled. And,
OF that forty thousand less, large number were
Southern in sentiment and voted to avoid persecution,
or choose between two evils Moreover, there is
q member IN the Federal Congress from Kentucky, nor
in the Legislature who would have been there if they
had not pledged themselves 10 vote against raising men
or money carry this Sir ask only for Ken
tncky fair chance. Remember she borders, for seven
hundred and fifty miles, three OF the most popuous
non. sayeholding States in the United States, mean
Ohio Indiana, and Illinois From the densely
populated cities and districts situated Just beyond
the Ohio river, with their vast facilities for
transporting troops on railroads. they can, at any
time within twenty-four hours, pour legions of
their vandas into the very heart and centre OF Kenuc
ky. Aud there has been period since the Virginia
Convention passed her Ordinance of Secession thai
Kentucky has not been literally dotted over with Rede-
raj bayonets not in the hands mainly Of Kentuckans
but of hordes of foreign and imported troops. 1t must
also be borne in mind that the moment Southern man
leaves his home in Kentucky and comes South TO join our
army his negroes all taken, together with every
species of personal property and his family left exposed
70 the insults and indignes Of brutal sodiery, and
dependent alone for subsistence the charity OF their
neghbors and those neighbors often arrested and
imprisoned for sending load Of wood bag Of meal
to the family of Southern soldier Sir, while arr
free to admit that Kentucky has not done what she
ought 10 have done do that she has done far
more than many other section Of the country would
have done under similar circumstances.
Kentucky has not been Wavering and tardy in her
movements because she has felt any sympathy with Al
oltonism but she is awaiting more propitious mo-
ment when her people strike for the redemption Of
State, with hope that though they perish
the field their families may have some protection to
shield them from fate worse than death ITSELF
here in my place on this hoor denounce utterly false
the imputation that 9 majority of the people Of Ken
ucky have any sympathy with Abotionsm, or desire
the future destiny OF the State to be with the North
Many of her nobest have already sealed their de-
voton 10 the South with their blood. Fort DonesoI.
Shiloh, Baton Rouge Princeton Middle Creek Ivy,
GAINESVILLE Huntsville, Mufreesboro and other battle
fields have witnessed the courage and valor OF KEEL
lucky troops Aud, though they have no one specially
TO herald their fame il is written 10 deeds OF Valor and
glorious heroism which will live the pages OF history
as bright examples OF that intrepid and daring courage
| which has hitherto illustrated the history of ms
| beloved State. Sir | could wish that she had
not been deceived. That she had not been
misguided by false and unwse counscls. That she had
folio we'd the example and inspirations Of PATRIOTISM
| enlightened wisdom which she has always caimed -
her inheritance from Virginia. lay for her nc VOID
of complaint or dissatisfaction at the bar of this house
or against this government. BY her they have dealt,
noby generously and kindly, and that they will stand
bJ her and yet witness the day OF her redemption
have no doubt And send this consolation home to
her people, that their hearts may be made JOYOUS with
the expectation that long the dim star which has
been bnt family through cloud aud tempest shall
eliminate ia q bright and cloudless sky. and as the
star of Bethlehem rested the manger in which lay
the embodiment of the worlds redemption so may oars
burn with undminshed spendor upon that iairest portion
of the Amightys earth, redeemed from the blightng
curses OF Abolition dominion. And while send home to
my people this solemn pledge OF the Government of the
Confederate States, 10 stand by hem through all the
huctuaGng and fortunes o. war, will venture to
express the opino11ahat ere long the great heart Of
| Kentucky will respond in Il becoming manner 10
this noble pledge and patriotic devotion Of the South
TO her. must indulge this hope, when contemplate
the hitherto glorious historic fame of Kentucky. To-
| day. in solemn Judgment before the people OF Ken
lucky rises up long list of broken promises violated
pledges and of treachery that consgn to in
fanny the Government at Washington and some Of the
Union leaders in Kentucky. The people never would
have elevated power either the members OF the Leg
satare Of the Federal Congress if they had not pro-
missed 10 oppose the war; And even when the war is
not only changed from protested struggle for the
Union into of abolitonism, but negroes TO be
put into the army equality with white soldiers
aud thus the spectacle will be presented of the
white man and the negro moving together in the col
umns Of the Federal army to subjugate the South,
lay waste the South, and far possible TO trace
their own career, and read their appalling deeds
ia the innocent blood shat shall flow from the
dreful tragedies of servile Instructions and tho
red light of midnight conhagratons Sir, can
not, otherwise than declare it my conviction,
that Kentucky will never, never lend helping hand
TO sach eternal and inefaceable Bfsmy But will not
isguise it from this House and from the country that
there are among the members of Lncous legislature in
KenucLy and in his Congress from Kentucky false
eveF impression Of honor and who would with Gdiugs
smile at the blood flowing from the hearts of women
and children If by it they could CRAFTY their malignant
hatred to the South. But they do not represent the
sentiment of the State. They regarded with SUI
preme contempt even by the north aud there il
so low as TO do them They obtained their