The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-03
The Kentucky Union Convention.

4 ss- Ri
1 The Kentucky Union Convention.
The convention just held at Louisville
| for the nomination Of State officers and a
reafirmation Of Kentucky : loyalty, should,
so far as it's acts are evidence, set at rest
all speculations as to the determination of
Kentuckians to stand by the Government
and sustain it in prosecuting the war
against rebellion. TWAS largely composed
of the most wealthy and influential men of
the State; those who have vital interest
in the war, who have suffered much for
their loyalty, and may possibly, in the
chances and mischances of war, be called
upon to testify by new sacrifices their devo-
ton to the Union of their fathers. The
character of the nominees is at once an
assurance of the loyalty Of the representa-
tive men of the State, and of determin-
alton on their part not to allow the soph-
istries of State Rights leaders, or a mere
administrative policy, to swerve them from
the line of patriotic duty. The nominee
for Governor, Hon. JOSHUA f. BELL, is an
unconditional Union man, and has been
from the commencement of the present
war. His course in the State Senate has
been as clearly and satisfactorily on the
side of the Union as that of any man in
Kentucky. His voice has never given an
uncertain sound, and his vote has never
been withheld upon any question where
the relations of the State to the Federal
Government have been involved
Col. RICHARD JACOB, of Oldham County,
the nominee for Lieutenant Governor, a
son-in-law of Tom BENTON, is Colonel Of
the Sth Kentucky Cavalry. He has de-
fined his position by his acts, and if any
thing more were needed, his remarks to the
Convention, of which we take synopsis
from the correspondence of the Times, is
abundantly sufficient
He said he was no aspirant for any position
at the hands Of the Convention, but was con-
tent to remain in the field to fight for the Con-
stitution and noble Union. He had promised
to stay with his regiment and he thought he
could do more there than on the stump He
proceeded to define his position, that the Con-
vention might understand exactly where he
| stood. He started out as a Breckenridge Dem
ocrat, but when he found the leaders Of that
party conspiring and trying to divide the peo-
pie, he took position against them.
In regard to the Presidents proclamation he
| W. cod C h,yf1 fr,,o ~
he was opposed to q division of this great
country, and he would always be opposed to it,
| for God had made it one. At the ballOt-bOX
they could put down Mr.. Lincolns proclama-
ton, and with the sword they would put down
the rebellion. He was for leaving to the IN
| born millions, who were to come after them,
the settlement of this question Kentucky
would maintain the Union come what might
Not less emphatic in his condemnation
of the rebellion and devotion to the Union
is Colonel HARLAN, who, like COL JACOB,
is soldier. What patriot would not trust
a man who gives utterance to such senti-
ments as these?
HE believed the American people had the
power to crush out the rebel army. He beg
ged of the people of Kentucky not to turn the
cold shoulder ON the gallant boys in the field
Cries of "Never!'o Let nothing be done to
discourage them, or encourage them to desert.
The war, he believed would yet close with sue
cess to our arms and honor to the country
| Applause. He was unwilling to stop the war
until he was satisfied that jeff. Davis could
whip them. Some want peace. How could
they get it now, except by division of the
country? and he asked, is that peace? 1t would
be mean and cowardly to hand down to our pos
terity this quarrel, that we ought to fight out
for ourselves. Cheers.
1t would not be his province to prosecute
persons guilty of treason against the United
States, but he would now give notice that dur
ing the campaign, next August, it would be
his duty and he would arraign every man and
party before the grand jury OF the people, who
in the slightest degree were tinctured with
| treason. Prolonged cheering. This duty he
would discharge fearlessy.
The other names-JAMEs II. GARRARD
for State Treasurer, THOMAS S. PAGE for
Public Auditor, JOHN A. DAWSON for Reg
lister of Land Office, and David STEVEN
SON for Superintendent of Public Instruc-
tion-are understood to be equally une-
quivocal in their loyalty. There is no
butternut smell on their garments, nor
were the proceedings tinctured with it.