New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-09
KENTUCKY.

Kentucky, in 1850, could not be accused Of an
earnest desire to rebel In her population Of over
million and 2s5,cco slaves, were many Union men,
who though in strong sympathy with the South,
cherished the hope that her supremacy mig be main
tanned without resortng TO war. Time proved too
many oft these men to be for the Union merely because
they hoped the South would continue to control tho
Government. Berah Magofiu, near the close Of
1860 expressed their views when he argud against
Secession on the groundthat the North void consent
to amend the Constitution in way which would
establish Slavery firmly under the protection Of the
National Government But soon as it became clear
that the Republican party, while willing to give Slavery
the benefit Of existing laws, resolved to COMO fur
ther. the pressure in favor Of Secession became
almost irresistible. Early in lsjl the peope wero
divided into two great parties The Uniol party,
including the War Democracy. marked out n Con-
ventiOn apolicy whchit was hoped would pnveni war,
to which they declared unalterable opposition. But
this policy was too weak and tiInid to endire. The
Governor, in his message in January disaproyed of
Secession, but equally objected TO coercion. The Leg
stature in February, appealed to the Souhm States
to abandon warlke preparations at the sane time re-
AchIuE tht llVtNob dShinb ANtlC-'ui HOppnlup u
National Convention. In March it denounced the
Confederate Government for interfering win the nav
igation of the Mississippi. In this neurl position
Kentucky remained till April; and even afer the at
tack on Fort Sumter she refused to have anything to
do with the war. Gov. Magoain refused tc obey the
requison for troops, and in to the Secretary
Of War, replied, Kentucky will furnish no
troops for the wicked purpose of subduing
her sister Southern States" This language
caused we'll grounded suspicion of ho Gov
ernors loyalty, but the people still tre, and in
May, when the election was held for delegates to the
Border State Convention the vote was emlhatically
for the Union. Then followed the Governors procla.
nation, virtually recognizing the ConiedcAcy, and
forbdding either Union or Rebel armies from inva.
ding the soil Of Kentucky. In June, Union Repre-
sentatves were elected to Congress from nine dis.
tricts; in the TENTH State.Rights candidate was
chosen. Up TO July Kentucky succeeded in main
tanning this neutrality; but in that month both Union
and Rebel troops had entered the State, and Gov.
Magoffn's protests were UNDECIDED by both parties.
In the meanwhile, the Secessionsts had strongly
urged the Governor to seize the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad, and allow it to be used by
the Tennessee Rebels. The Federal and South
ern armies had received many volunteers from
Kentucky, and the Tennessee Rebel troops
had invaded the State. In September, Gen. Grant
occupied Paducah, and issued a proclamation
that he had come for the defense of the State. Thus
ended the neutrality Of Kentucky That the people
were for the Union is sufficiently shown by the reso
lston adopted by the Legislature in September 1861,
directing the Governor by vote of II to 2 to order
the Rebel troops out of the State. This the Governor
vetoed, but it was passed over the yeto the order
was issued but, Of course, not obeyed. The Leglsa
ture noby followed this movement by series Of reso
uons declaring that the Rebel invaders must be ex
PEELED, and desiring Gen. Anderson to take command
Of the State Volunteers. Thus Kentucky gave her
earnest and active old TO the Union Forty thousand
volunteers were called out and the State was reao
to repel the Rebel invaders. The people enthusias
tcay sustained these measures, and the Legislature
meeting again in November again pledged its faith to
the Government But the Rebels were numerous and
active. November 81 they called Convention, which
passed an Ordinance Of Secession and elected Pro-
yisiolal Government. During Decamhsr the war