Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1865-06-14

Assembly of 1861 was treated by the IL
lustrious loyalist whose name we have
been told is so venerable and whose fame
is to shine forever with such unrivalled
splendor. But where are the plaudits
now, which but moment ago burst forth
at the mention of that name2 All l
hear no stamping Of feet, no clapping Of
hands now
MoDRRAToR-The applause was given
by persons who were we're ignorant Of
the fact that our usages do not allow of
such demonstrations. The Moderator
has requested that they should not be
repeated.
DIR. Wilson, certainly did not ex-
peet any such demonstrations under the
new aspect in which this matter is now
presented. Bnt pass on to cite another
illustrative example of the uncertain re-
sponses. given even by the most dis
tinguished oracles on this subject of 10y
atty and patriotism. The example l
have selected is one high in position and
in the confidence of both the late Presi-
dent and his successor. It is no less
than that of the present Attorney Gen
eral of the United States. In the year
1861, the Union State committee of the
State Of Kentucky issued an address to
the people of that State on the course Of
policy which they judged ought to be
adopted in then agitated condition of the
country and in case certain contingent
events should occur. Of this committee
the present Attorney General ( Mr..
Speed was prominent member and his
name is signed to this address. From it
1 take the following passage:
THE MoDERAToR-The Moderator re-
CARDS the speaker as entirely in order,
but would simply suggest that this Is
political document from which he is
about to read. Perhaps the quotation
had better be omitted.
DR.. Observation-Disclosures, this discus
sion under the particular form which it
has assumed has been fOrcedupon me
1 told you at the beginning of my re-
marks that the course taken by those
who had preceded me would compel me
to speak of political questions l would
gladly have seen kept out of this Court
Of Christ. I am aware that what may
say is likely to be little agreeable to the
majority of this house and probably al
together unpopular with this large
assembly of attentive and manifestly in
terested spectators. But, sir, the idea
that political questions ought to be kept
out of this house has been secuted and
ridiculed. 1 have sat here for eight or
nine days listening to diseourses on 10y
atty and treason and rebels and rebel
lion and eopperheads and those who
have INDUCED in these harangues have
gone on ad HJitum without interruption
from any quarter. This is only the
second time 1 have asked the attention
of the house. The State from which 1
come and the Synod of which 1 am
member have been assailed repeatedly as
disloyal to the country and the Church,
and 1 should be wanting in respect to
myself, to the Presbytery which repre-
sent, and to the State in which l live. did
l not to the best of my ability repel these
assaults.
A MEMBER-GO On, 80 on, and don't
let them interrupt you again.
DR.. WILSON, was about to show
that, as in the case of DR.. Breekinridge,
so in the case of other great luminaries
in the armament of loyalty, the light
which they shed is dim and dubious,
now waxing, now waning with the revO-
lutions of months and years. The proof
now adduce, though, as has been said
by the Moderator, taken from dOcu
ment not drawn by a religious body, nor
coming from a member of the Church, is
on that very account all the more pertin
ent to my purpose. 1t is the expression
of views entertained but a short time
back, and inculcated upon the masses by
one who had the confidence Of the Gov
ernment, and who in his present high
Office can decide with authority what is
regarded as loyalty by the powers that
be-" Here is the rule and standard
maintained by this eminent jurist four
years ago:
EXTRACTS.
"The present policy of Kentucky is to
maintain her present independent POSITION
taking sides, not with the Government, and
not with the seeded States, but with the
Union against them both, declaring her soil
to be sacred from the hostile tread of either,
and, if necessary, making the declaration
good with her strong right arm. And to the
end that we may be fully prepared for this
last contingencies, we would have her arm
herself thoroughly at the earliest practicable
moment.
"yVhat the future duty Of Kentucky may
be, we, of course, cannot with certainty fore
see; but If the enterprise announced in the
proclamation of the President should at any
time hereafter assume the aspect Of s war
for the overrunning and subjugatiOn of the
seeding States, through the full assertion
therein of the national jurisdiction, by a
standing military force, we do not hesitate TO
say that Kentucky should promptly IN
sheathe her sword in behalf of what will
then become the common cause. Such an
event if it should occur, of which, we con- !
fess, there does. not appear to US to be ra-
tional probability, could have been one mean |
ing-a meaning which a people Jealous Of
their liberty would be keen to detect. and !
which people worthy OF liberty would be
promp and fearless to resist. When Ken |
tucLv detects this meaning in the action Of
the Government, she ought, without count
ing the cost, to take up arms at once against
the Government Until she does detectthi |
meanig, she ought to hold herself indepen-
dent Of both sides, and compel both sides to
respect the inviolability Of her soil. The
protentous meaning in question is not de-
cernable. We, however. have deemed it fit, /
in consideration Of all the extraordinary fea-
lures of the time, to anticipate this possible
contingency"
Thus you perceive it was the highest tyne
of loyalty in 1861, to stand aloof from the
conflict between brothers; it was the de- /
mand OF purest patriotism to resist Vi st a7nais