The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-03-01
The kentucky Union COnvSntion.

We devote considerable portion OF
this issue of the JOURNAL to the pro-
ceedings of the State Convention of
the Union party of Kentucky, in order
that our readers may learn the spirit
which pervaded that body of true men.
We ask careful reading of the reso-
lutions, which are put forth as the
platform of principles upon which
the party, under its present -organiza-
ton, proposes to conduct the coming
canvass in that State Iteis. broad
enough for all true loyalists to stand
together in the contest withthe Rebel
Democracy. tits positive enough for
the most radical, and yet there is
nothing in it to which any conserya-
tive citizen, who loves loyalty better
than treason. can reasonably and Sc
riously object.
The Convention itself was a deeid-
ed success, and was so acknowledged
by the opposite party. They do not
affect to despise it; they acknowledge
it to be a power, as they claim,
fraught with mighty evils The meet
ing was not SO large as the attendance
at the Convention of the Rebel De-
mocracy on the I'D of February; for
that was filled up with crowd of
people, who had focked in from the
adjoining counties, and all the treason
elements Of Frankfort were out in
force; that was rather a noisy mass
meeting than a deliberative conven-
ton. The Union Convention was en-
tirely a delegate meeting, receiv-
ing very little sympathy or
,countenance from the people of
Frankfort; and it was free from that
guerrilla, gray-back, rowdy look of
the Rebel Democratic assemblage.
A more harmonious, respectable, and
determined body of men never met in
the Capitol of Kentucky They were
raen who had experienced the perse-
cutions. and taunts of traitors and
their sympathizers for more than five
years; and now that the war was over
and armed rebellion crushed out,
they saw the same spirit of intolerance
rising up to deprive them of their
rights as loyal citizens, and to usurp
the places of trust and authority. AS
was stated by speakers repeatedly in
the Convention, and on the lips of all
in private conversation, the contest of
1861 was to be fought over again at
the ballot-box. They have met the
issue like men. who know their rights,
and have the courage to main
tain them. They meet the Rebel
Democracy with the bold defiance
that secession is treason, and they de-
clare their opposition to the eff
fort to render treason respectable, and
pledge themselves to combat this
spirit Of &c so-called Democracy" in
any shape it may assume. F,tk9a
It was great step forward for the
Convention to declare itself in favor
of Congress as the rightful authority
to fxsterms of reconstruction. And
their avowed alliance with the great
National Union party of the country,
cut loose the last tie that bound them
to the dead issues of the past, and,
by one bound, reached the high van
tage ground of progress and national
unity. Henceforth the Union party
of Kentucky is the partyTof pro-
gress, of growing power, and the
ultimate victors in that State. The
marchSof events lis fastening rapidly
forward the final consummation of
the victories of the war in pthe7eom-
plete Recognition of the national
authority in every Southern State.
The Rebel Democracy may be sue
cessfpE at the august ELECTION in
Kentucky; but, if so, it will be only
a temporary triumph: Rebellion has
lost its power Treason cannot sue
cessfnlly defy the loyal spirit ofJthe
nation. And under the guidance of
the men assembled on Tuesday last in
Frankfort and their allies, the loyal
people Of Kentucky, that State, will
soon be redeemed, and take her place
among the free, loyal, and progressive
commonwealth of the country.
TFor the Evansville Journal