Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-05-31
VOL. 6. NO. 23.l
Address Of Hon. Samuel Mckee.

Address Of Hon. Samuel Mckee.
To my Fslio,o Cuizens of the Ninth Coagres-
sionoi District:
The election on the 4th Of May has re-
suited in the success of the advocates of
treason and rebellion. Kentucky, at the
polls, has given proof. the second time,
that majority Of her voters believe the war
for the Union was wrong, and that their
hearts. as we'll as their voices, are in SYM
pathy with ''the lost cause" 'sConserva
tives," calling themselves Union men,
have shown no strength. Their cause has
always been such as to weaken the real
Union party, and in the contest just closed,
in the Ninth District, at least, their main
point was to defeat the Radicals. 1t is
well that they have shown their weak ness
Strength, they never had any. The Union
party in Kentncky must learn the lesson,
that there is but one road to success. Any
compromise of fprinciple-yes, any hesitan-
cy to stand boldly for the right, only gives
the enemy chance to triumph -over you.
In future let us inscribc upon our Ianner
as our motto, and rally under that Glib
erty, Justice, and Equality" and let there
be no maneuvering round Liberty of
thought and liberty Of speech in all parts
of the land justice to all men. and the
equal rights of all citizens. Except to
criminals and traitors to our country. the
nation has decided that there shall no
longer in this land be any distinction as
to the rights Of citizens. Let us as Union
men no lenger hesitate to arrange ourselves
with the Union party Of the nation. Ken
tucky needs reconstruction, aud must
have it. She il day the most disloyal
Of all the States. To-day she is more
hostile to the national authority than any
other Spte. Today she openly and fla
grantly lefes the laws OF the nation
Congress. If her people would set her
right they must 60 to work and if they
will not do this for them. She alone is
the only State to day in which the doc
trines contended for by those who were
in armed treason against the Federal
authority are a success To-day we wit
ness in Kentucky State avoiding and
defying the acts of the nations Congress
Here the theory Of State rights, as con
tended for by Davis and his colaborers. is
a success. But rebellion cannot succeed
wave in the sunlight, but the day is not
far off when they will be made to trailin
the dust, and its adherents taught the
lesson that the Nation is stronger than
rebel Kentucky. Why should congress
treat Kentucky different from any rebel
State? The mistake Of tho administration
was treating her thus during the war.
Then the excuse was the conservative I'M
ion men OF kentucky must be conciiatcd.
Now that they have been conciiiacd TO
such an extent as to join the rebel ranks
and vote the rebel ticket, except a little
squad not strong enough in this District
TO FL the local efiices in each county, if,
they had them all. and the difference be.
tween them and the rebels only that be.
tween ''twcedledum" aud "tweedledee,
there is no longer any excuse for the na
tion hesifating TO stop the notification of
her laws in Kentucky, and taking steps
TO give her government republican in
form, and in conformity to the laws of
tho Ninth District be not discouraged.
In tie election just closed we have Mt
least two thousand majority, If the.votes'
of the rebels, who have been in arms
fighting to destroy the country, were
thrown of. In times past We appealed to
the nations loyal people for aid, and
they gave it. They will come to our
rescue again. To the Union men Of the
District who have so nobly stood by prn.
ciples, and In spite Of threats, calumny
aud abuse, gallautly stood for the right.
/ return my grateful thanks for their gen
erous support, and to them | say be Of
good cheer. We will yet triumph. do
not give up this fight. Rebels may tenn
porarily rule you In Kentucky. but their
day will be short. They cannot rule you
from the nations capital, aud il you are
true to yourselves the nations Congress
will be true to you, aud Kentucky rebels
will be taught the lesson already taught
the Southern States, that they can vote
for rebels but such men cannot occupy
seats Ia the nations congress,
SAMUEL MCKEE.
Mr.. STERLING, KY, May 10.