Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-07-20
AFFAIRS IN KENTUCKY.

about Kentucky is, that the admins
tration he's preferred to enlist q few
thousand negroes there rather than
preserve the allegiance Of the State.
This is the key to the cngima of the
Presidents proclamation of martial
law. The Kentuckians have always
claimed that their right of property
in negroes is an indisputiblo one, and
that so long as tho State was true to
it's constitutional obligat ions, they
should be protected. Thcser ival claims
tho Government on one hand as
serting the right to enlist negroes, and
citizens on the other denying the
right, especially if they were able to
iii their quota by the voluntary en-
listmcnt of white men-scriouslv
threaten an open rupture. For II
time the Washington authorities were
induced to forebcar, perhaps infuen-
ccd by the rcsolute stand ofGovcrnor
Bramlcttc, whose devotion to the Un-
ion has never been questioned but of
late the policy Of the Government has
become more determined, and recruit
ing for negro regiments has been re-
sumed with more energy than before.
Under the influence of large bounties,
and through the actiyeity Of agents
employed, the farmers through many
sections ofthe State have been stripp-
I'd of their field hands, and other la
Jorcrs, so that they are unable to
gather their crops. This cause more
than any other has eXasperatcd many
who till now worked heartily for the
Union; some, like the brave Col. VOL
ford, have thrown up their commissions
in the army while still larger num-
ber are either alicnatcd in their at
tachment to the Government, or have
deliberately gone over to the enemy.
AS some have surmised, this uniortu-
nate condition of things invited the
raid of Morgan, and it was the cordial
reception given this graceless marau-
der which afforded evidence Of the
rapid change Of public sentiment
which has taken place. With still
more reason il is conjectured that the
Government cagcrl y availcd itself OF
the prevalent dissatisfaction as pre-
text for establishing martial law. No
State in the Union has made greater
sacrifices than Kentucky for the pre-
servation ofthis government; none has
contributed more nobly to strengthen
tho military arm Of the nation. She
has good right to protest strongly a.
gainst measures which she regards rs
derogatory to her position as sister
State, and as in conflict with her rights
under the Constitution. She cannot
therefore sustain the Administration
and q method is now devised by which
her voice is likely to be stihcd in The
coming election. For no one, Demo
crat or Republican, doubts that it q
mounts to jus. that. The vote of Ken
tuclsy is sure for the Democra tic can
didate, whoever he is. There is nc
Republican.votc in the State. There
fore tho radical advisers of Mr.. Lin
coin have desired to prevent any vote
in that State this fall. Whether the
declaration of martial law is part OF
tho scheme must be guessed by shrewd
men. The noble old State, whose mel
have stood firm through fire and temp
est, is bitterly abused by the radicals
and now feels the weight of an arbi
trary will. Poor old kentucky. But
there are better days ahead of us.
The reason for the failure ofGover
nor Bramlette to raise 10000 volun
tcers( six months mem for the dcfcns
Of the State, is stated as follows, b,
tho Governors Adiutant General, i
q recent letter to the public:
"The records ofthis office show VIII
we failed. Letters from all quarter.
and from unconditional Union men
show that nearly every county woul
have filed its quota, and that man,
would have largely exceeded it, if th,
unfortunate attempt to recruit ne
groes had not been begun. Pressing
appeals from every district have reach
cd us, narrating this, and urging tha
the white men should stay at home t,
cultivate the fields abandond by tn
negroes. Against this unfortunat
and overwhelming influence tn
Governor has labored to comply wit
the whistles of the Government, unit
the attempt became utterly hopeless
when it was reinquished."
The Louisville Journal says the ar
swcr is conclusive
"They failed because the Abolition
lists prevailed upon Mr.. Lincoln to vi
olatc his direct and sole mn promise {
Governor Bramlctte, that slaves il
Kentucky should not be enlist
cd without the consent of the owner
Tho force was not raised because th,
Aboltionists set the slaves ofthc Stat
to rowing and compelled the whit
men stay at home to cultivate TIN
fields abandoned by the slaves. l
was not raised because the Abolition
lists preferred Kentucky negroes +