The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-10
From the Tribune.

InOuSan0 slaves. we're many OulUu ultu WuO,
though in strong sympathy with the South,
cherished the hope that her supremacy might
be maintained without re,orting to war. Time
proved too many of these men to be for the
Union merely because they hoped the South
would continue TO control the Government
Beriah Magoffn, near the close of 1860, ex-
pressed their views when he argued against
secession, on the ground that the North would
consent to amend the Constitution in q way
which would establish slavery firmly under the
protection OF the National Government. But,
so soon as it became clear that the Republican
party, while willing to give slavery the benefit
OF existing laws, was resolved TO go no
further, the pressure in favor of secession
became almost irresistible. Early in 1861
the people were divided into two great
parties. The Union party, including the War
Democracy, marked out in convention policy
which ii was hoped would prevent war,
to which they declared unaterable opposition.
But this policy was too weak and tlmld to en-
dure. The Governor, in his message IN January,
disapproved OF secession, but equally objected
to coercion. The Legislature, In February, APP
pealed to the, Southern States to abandon war
like preparations, at the same time renewing
the protest AGAINST coercion, and proposing a
National Convention. In March, it denounced
the Confederate Government for interfering
with the navigation OF the Mississippi. In this
neutral position Kentucky remained till April;
refused to have anything to do with the war;
Governor Magofin reused to obey the requisi-
tion Tor troops, and, in answer TO the Secretary
OF War, replied, Kentucky Will furnish no
troops Tor thr wicked purpose Ol subduing her sis
ter Southern States." This language caused we'll
grounded suspcon OF the Governors loyalty
but the people were still true, and in May, when
the election was neld Tor delegates 10 the Border
State Convention, the vote was eLnphatlcally
for the Union. Then followed the Governors
proclamation, virtually recognizing the Con-
tederacy, and foIbddlng either Union or Rebel
armies from invading the SOIL of Kentucky. In
June Union representatives we're elected TO Con-
gress from nine districts; in the tenth, State
Rights candidate was chosen. Up to July Ken
lucky succeeded in nam aiming this neutrality,
but in that month both Union aud Rebel troops
had entered the state, and Governor Magofiin's
protests were unheeded by both parties. In the
meanwhile, the seCessOnists had strongly urged
the Governor to seize the Louisville anu Nash
vile Railroad, and allow it to be used by the
Tennessee ReOels. The Federal and Southern
armies had received many volunteers from Ken
lucky, and the Tennessee (Rebel) troops had
invaded the State. In September, General
Grant occupied Paducah, and issued prJca-
nation that he had come Tor the defense of
the State. Thus ended the neutrality of Ken
lucky. That tue people were for the Union
adopted by the Legislature in Sc Jtember 1861,
directing the Governor, by a vote OF II to 2G, TO
order the Rebel troops out of the Sta e. This
the Governor vetoed, but 1t was passed over the
W.,
obeyed. The Legislature nobly followed this
movement by a series OF resolutions declaring
that the Rebel invaders must be expelled, and
desiring General Anderson to take command of
the State volunteers. Thus Kentucky gave her
earnest and active aid to the Union, Forty
thousand volunteers were called out, and the
State was ready to repel the Rebel invaders.
The people enthusiastically sustained these
measures, and The Legislature meeting again in
November, again pledged Cs faith % the Gov
ernment. But the Rebels were numerous and
active November q they called Convention,
which passed an Ordinance of Secession and
elected a Provisional Government. During De-
Cember the war actually began in the State, and
brief campaign followed, in which the Union
forces were victorious. Seventy thousand tede
raj troops were concentrated IN December, with
$4,000 Kentucky volunteers. By the beginning
of March, 1862, the Rebels were expelled from
the state. Humphrey Marshall, John c. BrecE-
1nrldgr, and many other leading men, Joined the
southern army. In August, Governor MagOifin
resigned his Office, and the Legislature elected
James u. Robinson to ill the uneXpred term.
AT this tine new element entered the poll
tics OF the State. Mr. Lincoln's proposition of
system oil gradual emancipation IN the Border
States was considered by the Legislature and
repudated. In all other respects the Govern
ment was sustained. An act was passed autho-
rizlne draft by GA to 8. All thoughts OF neil
tralty were abandoned, and the majority of he
people had declared in favor Of the Union. A
guerilla war began in the southern counties,
and the notorious John Morgan intensified the
siOnal Government, which never had moe than
a nominal existence, was driven from the State
by the advance OF General Grant. Little hgntlng
took place in Kentucky In 1868, and her troops
were chiefly employed In other States. The
value OF slaves declined; business was inter-
rupted; the 10 wer counties we're ruined by raids;
many OF the railroads we're destroyed. Ken
tucky now began 10 occupy position of more
than usual political Importance. 1t was evident
that the COniederacy, unless by some imnroba-
BILE and overwhelming victory, would never
gain POSSESSION of the State, and her relations
TO the Union, on account OF slavery, threatened
to cause new trouble.
In February, 1868, the Legislature renewed its
professions OF loyalty, but protested against
the "ulconStitutional acts OF Congress, and
startling usurpaiions OF the EXecuuve,' This
protest was chiefly directed against the Eman'
CipaLAOn Proclamation. The majority, however
while TAKING TINS view, were strongly IN favor
of prosecuting the war. minority report, OF
the contrary, declared against giving any assist
anCp to the Executive in prosecuting the wal
Upon an anti-slayery basis, and IN favor OF al
Armistice. THIS minority, unable to do any
thing in the Legislature, called a convention t.
oppose the war; but 1t was dispersed by ordel
OF the military authorities. Virtually II was a.
attempt OF the Secessonsts to gam politca
control of the Stale. The election laws Q
1923 aided greatly to battle their schemes. Al
persons who participated IN the Rebellio
were eXpatriated, and oaths OF loSalt
were required. Previous to the election {
Governor Bramlette, August 3, General Burnsid
placed the State under martial law. To sho
how greatly the vote was diminished by the test
of loyal y, and the number OF citizens who ha
Joined the Rebel army, the total vote OF lSt
stood lac, ZIG, to 80, ,695 in August 1863 GoyernC
BTamlette's majority was over $4,000. An e.
trely Union Senate was elected, and of II
members OF tie House, but five or six wei
elected on the Democratic cket. The Governor
message interpreted the public sentiment to
m