Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-26
KENTUCKY.
W. W. NJ, c. s. A.
10 the Editor of the Wig :

TO the Editor of the Wig:
The many misapprehensions existing in the public
mind in relation to Kentuckys history connected with
the present revolution has induced me reluctantly TO APP
pear before the public, through the columns of your
paper with the view of giving, far capable,
an impartial history of all the political movements III
Kentucky since the presidential election OF 1860.
The course pursued by Kentucky in that election is
well known TO the country.
The first movement of any significance after Mr. Lin
coins election was the assembling of two conventions
in the city of Louisville, on the Sth Of January 1861
One was called the Bell aud Everett and the other the
Douglass convention. These conventions were very
largely attended by the most influential and talented
gentlemen of the State, who had identified themselves
with those parties. The conventions organized sepG-
rItelv, but soon thereafter commtte conference
was appointed, with the view OF raising Joint commit
tee on resolutions andif possible harmonizng opinions
in regard the impending struggle, which all felt must
most seriously affect the interest of the State, unless
ayerted.
The result of the conference was a joint committee of
twenty -four-tweye from each convention. | had the
honor of being placed the committee by the Bell and
Everett convention. The Joint committee agreed with
but little conflict of opinion, upon all Of the series OF
resolutions except one. That one recommended con-
yenton of all the border States irrespective of the in
sttuon of slavery, in certain contingency, which
will briefly explain.
Mr. Crittendens proposed amendments to the Consti-
ton of the United States then pending, and they
were by resolution declared ultimatum. Another
resolution premptOry dcadHeda repeal of the personal
liberty bills of the Northern States and the rigid
forcement of the Fugitive Slave Law third declared
coercion unconstitutional and destructive of the Union
ne the IT. truth July asserted I'm held together
by force not trorth preserrdaD These resolutions
were agreed to with but dissenting yOice-tho Hon.
Charles s. Wickifle-the question then "what ac
ton shall the State take in the event demands and
utimatum are rejeetedY
Hon Garrett Davis proposed, in such event, meet
ing of all the border States slave and non sayehodng
and in A speech enforcing his views INDUCED in fierce
Remuneration of the Gulf States, and especially
South Carolina for embracing the theoretical aud prac
teal teachings OF Mr.. Calhoun.
proposed in the contemplated contingency Con
rress of all the slave States, with the view OF smulta
neous separation One of the Committee being absent
VIII, the vote was taa en- the resolution of Mr. Davis
was agreed to by the casting vote of Hon. Archibald
Dixon Notwithstanding he father of that pest the
Kansas Nebraska Act repeating the Missouri Compro
mise Act of 1920.
The resolutions as reported we're adopted by the two
Conventions acting seperateY with but few dissenting
voices II will be discovered that the resolutions were
perfectly sound the bcet Of slavery and the rights
of the slave States; but that early PERIOD certain
class of politicians, looking to the disruption OF tn
Federal Union sought to form political connection with
the Northwestern the exclusion OF the Cotton States
short time after these conventions adjourned the Leg
islre the State convened and about the time tic
Legislatures of New York and Massachusetts, rendered
the President OF the United States troops coerce the
States that had might secede; in response to which
Mr. Ewing offered resolution to the effect that IT the
Federal government attempted to move troops through
Kentucky to coerce the South Kentucky would resist
nv fore of arms and make common cause with her
sister States of the South"
Inis resolution passed by vote of ninetytwo to six;
afterwards upon motion to reconsider, tse vote stood
thirty-lour for and sXy-two against Up to this peri
cd Kentucky was in advance OF Virginia Tennessee in
the revolutionary movement.
Things thus continued until the inaugural OF Mr..
Lincoln when old party names and designations were
dropped and two parties, the Union and Southern
Rnhts. were formed The Union party, however, did
not then advocate coercion the contrary, they in-
sisted that Lincoln had in his inaugural committed his
Administration to the antcoercive policy. The South
err Rights party on the other hand insisted that
cion was clearly deducible from the message, when
stripped of the thin veil by which It's author sought TO
conceal his real purposes Such was the surface issue
mere issue of constructon-but the attentive and in
eligent observer could not fail perceive, from the
public speeches and leading editorials of the day. that
the two parties widely differed to the nature and
powers of the Federal Government under she Consttu
ton OF the United States, and hao distinct and antsgo
MYSTICAL objects IN view.
The rejection of Mr.. Crittenden's proposed amend
mens-the Peace Conference and its aborve efforts at
pacihcatiOn, followed in quick succession. large
number Of influential Nrginiaus proposed Border
Slave State Convention. The proposal responded
to by the Kentucky Legislature IN resolution proyd
ing for an election of Delegates.
The Union, as well the Southern Rights party, i'm
mediatey began to perfect their party organizations by
the appointment OF central and local committees and
each put into the field candidates for delegates the
proposed convention. placed the ticket of
the Southern Rights party my competitor being the
Hon Archibald Dixon; this fact is mentioned having
bearing upon the issues discussed before the people.
The issues were variant in the different districts each
Southern Rights candidate shaping them for himself
with the view of accommodating them to the views
per and disposition Of the people of the district in which
he a candidate; but all seeking the attainment of
the same end viz, separation. My competitor and as
believe all the Union candidates for resistance
in the Unon-the Southern Rights candidates. for poit
zeal association with the seeded States and resistance
as an integral part of an independent nation.
The canvass continued until Virginia seceeded, when
the Southern Rights party withdrew its ticket Mr..
Incons war message of the nth April appeared in the
midst of the canvass of which the Southern Rights
didates immediately took advantage, and the whole
people were in a blaz, of excitement Gov. Magofn
refused compliance With the requision Of Mr.. Lincoln
and was sustained by fourfhs OF tho people. The tide
in favor ofmmedate secession at that time setting
81 sire ngly that the Union party became greatly alarmed
the Sanhedrim assembled in the city OF Louisville and
unfortunately for the State after taxing their ingenuity
hit upon neutrality. This monstrosy was introduced
TO the people, as the platform of the Union party, ac-
companied by an able and disingcnuous address, in
which all the sordd passions and cowardy fears were
appealed to- as well the higher and noblcr incentive