The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-12-25
The Kentucky Legislature.

The Kentucky Legislature.
The Legislature Of Kentucky meets
next Monday week, the I'd day Of Jam
usry; and seldom has a body Of the
same character had morea ave ques-
tions to act upon, than has this The
slavery agitation, 50 long, and SO adroit-
" wafded off, must now be met, in some
way or other 1t cannot be passed by
members viii be compelled to commit
themselves either for or against the
institution, and next August they
must 60 before the people or the record
they make within the next two or
three months. The people have re-
solved upon a thorough canvass of the
subject and they will select their rep.
resentatives to the General Assembly
next year, with reference 10 the issue
Of slavery, and almost that alone.
Under these circumstances, numbers
who expect to 90 before the people for
re election. will be anxious TO define
their positions; and we shall await with
considerable anxiety, the action Of the
approaching session. Mcclellan, at the
late election, carried the State by q
little over two to one; but the increase
in the vote Cor Mr. Lincoln, since 1860,
evinees very rapid growth of a
healthy public sentiment; the poll OF
1860 showing less than 1900, whilst
that that Of last November exceeded
1900. There can be no mistaking
the significance Of every vote given for
the re election of Mr. Lincoln; each
ballot was an endorsement Of the radi-
cal measures Of the Administrations
protest against slavery, and voice for
its abolition; and we presume there
are none so silly as to argue to the con
traay and therefore it is unnecessary
70 discuss the point, and we assume it as
granted
But OF the Mcclellan voter What
did it signify2 At least two thirds Of
them are for the Union at all hazards
for il with slavery, if they can get it,
bat for it, at any rate. In the late
election, they made an effort to sustain
the institution. by supporting McClel
Ian; and many of this number may still
hope for the salvation of slavery; but
we are convinced that the great mass
Of these men are now satisfied that
the cause is a hopeless one one, and
that as slavery must 60, the sooner the |
matter is settled, the better. The |
Louisville Joernal is the representative
Of this latter class, and urges the i'm
mediate abolition Of slavery.
II the present legislature does not |
take steps preparatory to emancipa-
ton. the next will therefore we are in
cliDed 10 hope that the present will do
something At least we hope to see it
urge the adoption of the constitutional
amendment, for the abolition Of sla
very throughout the United States. If
f. were ore5olve in favor of the mea-
sure, the congressional delegation would
doubtless aid in It's passage; and if the
legislature Of Kentucky is found 10
give way before The current of public
opinion, these Of New Jersey, and Del
aware will scarcely hold out long; and
the adoption Of the amendment by
three f5urths of the States will not be
long delayed.
Another subject Of Importance which
will come up for their consideration,
will be election OF United States Sena-
TOR For this place there are numer-
Gus names mentioned; and it is to be
hoped a good selection will be made.
is chosen, he should be a 10y
n, true, and able man; and while we
do not desire to be meddlesome, in
tho affairs of sister State, we think it
MT improper to say that all these quail
i6cations are found in Gen. Rousseau
aud that there could be no better choise
made. His experience is both ofa civ
Il and military character; and both
will be required in the counsels Of the
aation, during the next decade.
The legislature Of Kentucky, will i'm
itself, in some manner VIII
members link their names with great
movement, and thus be ev-
y remembered As the saviours Of their
5tate2 Or will they attempt to stem
he torrent, aud b known in history
ls the last of the defenders of slavery
Thair notion viii decide this.