Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1864-04-06
Cheerful Signs in kentucky.

CQeer1u S1RnS III heuCucky.
The Lexington (Ky.O. Reporter, of the
18th inst, has brief, but very animated
report of a speech of Col. Frank Wolford,
of Kentucky, of the United States army,
which for its outspoken, daring and indie
pendent denunciation of the "powers that
be" at Washington, is not second to the
bitter and scathing invectives of Vallandig
ham. Col. Wolford has been in the Fede.
raj service for three years, and has borne
himself as true to the North, Kentuckian
as he is, as the most ultra Northman could
desire. In referring to the recent order
for the enrolment of negroes in Kentucky,
the Colonel "denounced it as alike uncon.
stitutional," and said:
It was but another of the series of start
ling usurpations Of power which were being
made and he said it was the duty of the
people of Kentucky to resist it as violation
of their guaranteed rights. If they were
overpowered by force, in their refusal to
obey this order, then he advised them to
appeal to the law for protection and he
was mistaken in the Governor of the State
whom he had known long and intimately
(Gov. Bramlette occupied position on the
platform with the speaker, having come up
especially for the purpose of hearing him.
if he did not protect them in their consti-
tutional rights. If, when the people of
Kentucky appealed to the law for protec.
tion from this unconstitutional edict, Mr..
Lincoln persisted in enforcing it, he would
himself be the rebel, and not the people of
Kentucky.
He would by no means offer resistance to
this unconstitutional order to the end of
throwing the State into secession, but when
Kentucky had fulfilled all her duties and
obligations to the Federal Government, was
loyal to the Constitution and laws of the
land. and intended so to remain, she had a
right to demand that her Constitution, and
the rights of her people under it, should be
respected, and he believed that Governor
Bramlette would see that they were respec-
ted. He added at the same time that,
while he had no idea of giving up his Gov
ernment, or quitting its service, by reason
of the unconstitutional and impolitic enroll.
ment of negroes, and that they should nei-
ther report to him nor would he to them,
yet as Kentucky freeman he had clear
opinion on this subject, and did not hest
tate to express it. The people of Kentucky
did not want to keep step to the emusic of
the Union" alongside of negro soldiers. 1t
was an insult and degradation for which
their free and manly spirits wefe'not pre-
pared, while i. involved at the same time
an infraction Of the rights Of the State
which it was the duty of the Governor, un-
der his oath to support the Constitution
and see the laws faithfully executed, to re-
sist with all the constitutional power of the
Commonwealth.
Col. Wolford closed his speech by sta
ting that he was aware that there were al
ways in every public assembly nowadays
Hpimps and informers," who made it their
business to report to the fountains of power
and patronage what was said in opposition
to them. He called upon them to report
what be said faithfully, and among other
things they might inform Mr.. Lincoln, if
he desires to know what those in the army,
whom be. considered his minions, thought
of his official course, that their opinion
was that he was tyrant and usurper,"
who was seeking, by overriding all consti-
tutional barriers and limitations, to trample
upon the liberties Of bis country.
Soon after the close Of the speech Col.
Wolford was arrested by the Federal au-
but upon demand Of his regiment,
was released, .,..
The speech, says the Reporter, "was re.
ceived with the most rapturous applause
by the large audience assembled on the
occasion"