Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-12-21

appointed in the action Of her sister Stat'
kentucky. For many years, and through
many campaigns Maryland and Kentucky
stood side by side, and in sentiment and &C
ton were one. Maryland's sons settlet
upon Kentucky soil, and sentiment of pur
est affection was germinatcd, and grew int
full strength and beauty as time rolled on
and bound the two more nearly together
But when the dread sound of war fell upoI
our country's unready car, and our people fo
the moment stood in amazcmont, there came
n change. We are proud that our noble little
State did not change her course, but KEEP
steadily on, while Kentucky struck off upor
a tangent, taking middle course, one between
right and wrong-bctwecn loyalty and trea
son. While Rebel regiments were openly
citizens had to go into Ohio and Indiana il
order to enlist in tLcir country's service
While trcason's flag was hauntcd in the face:
Of her loyal people with threats and oaths
those people dare not speak in their own de-
Tense. Soon, however, few brave spirits
goaded to desperation, stood forth and pro
claimed their opposition to treason and theil
determination to fight it. Rousseau led the
way, and soon the sway of Rebellion was di
ninished gradually treason began to with.
draw from the open light of the sun, and tc
pursue its damnablc work in secret; the
Louisville Journal, anything and everything
according to the ebb and flow of popular opin-
ion, Low weakly advocated the policy of the
Administration, yet ever lowered near enough
the edge of Secession, to tumble into it if ne
eessary, upon the slightest prctoxt. In course
of time Union men asserted their supremacy,
and an army of Kcntuckians, was enrolled
under the National banner, and they went
forth and foughta good fight, and they did
their duty nobly and well. During the pro-
gress of the war, the Legislature passed laws
expatriating all who had engaged in the Re-
bellion against the United States, and depriv-
ing of the rights of citizenship all disloy
atists, with such other acts as were necessary
to show their adherence of treason and their
desire to punish traitors. The war has closed.
The men who burned her towns, robbed and
butchercd her inoffensive people, destroyed
her roads, her commerce and her products
and violated her laws, have returned. They
have gone back to her with all their hatred
still ranking in their breasts, and always
cursing her defenders. What reception have
they met with? The loyal people meet them
with distrust, and they have right to. The
pcopl, who defended their Government are
not willing to received them as good citizens.
But the Kentucky Legislature meets them
with out-strcchcd hands. 1t says to them,
" You are our dear brothers, and may be you
have been little wrong, but We are as much
blame as you are. Come back to US, and
enjoy all the rights and privileges of your
br others who have fought against you and still
live. Wewill wipe out all the unpleasant men,
cries of the past, and you shall be honored
amongst us equally with those who have
sacrificed their all for their State and their
country" This is the tone of the Kentucky
Legislature and of the Louisville journal to-
ward the workers of treason. But toward
the action of the Administration and of Con-
gress, they manifest very different feeling.
Spitefully and Indignantly, absurdly md fool
shly they cling to the foul carcass of slavery
md reject the Amendment, even after nearly
every State in the Union and lately in rebellion
have endorsed it. Her action has rendered
lcr ridiculous in the eyes of the world, and
We are strongly inclined to the belief that her
legislators are imbued with the sentiment
which engcndered rebellion.