New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-02
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
SAVING KENTUCKY TO THE UNION.
~ COLONEL A. ". MARYLAND. LATE sUPERiNiEND
ENr OF THE MILITARY POSTAL SERVICE
CopViQht 1895.


MI Lang aftor the November election of 1860 an
.asociation was formed in Washington City for the
nurpose Of gathering information as 10 tho lea'
condition of political affairs In the South win reior
ence TO threatened secession, ana 10 organize 'oi
such remedies as might seem necessary. ms asso-
citation was composed of gentlemen many from 'no
Southern States who were for the maintenance u
the Uuion at whatever cost Some were inc
personal friends of Abraham Lincoln. others Ia
opposed his election. In the membership were hon
who had held prominent positions III the pnpnc
seryice and who we're skilled in political diplomacy
This association held its meetings for consultation
daily and nightly during the winter months OF lSoo
anl al and though the meetings were not apso-
lutely secret they were rot openly public. was
me of the young members of the ASSOCIATION. IL -
not material to state what steps were taken OF
what methods were adopted to accomplish tue work
in view. II is sufficient to say that whiio INC
disunionsts had their agents visiting state cap'is
and the large cities to address Legislatures ana ,o
people generally on tho beauties oil secesson' ,no
Unonists were educating them in moro qu'e'
way to its folly and danger. 1t was through TINS
association | became personally acquainted Win
Abraham Lincoln shortly after his inauguration.
NV first interview with Mr. Lincoln was III COM
pauy with some OF his intimate personal lr'ehos
who called Informally to pay their respects 10 MN
as the President of the United States "heh tno
sautations and congratulations were beinS iha"e w
Mr. Lincoln one OF his secretaries places some payers
on his table for signature MIR. Lincoln cAcuseu
himself for the moment by this remark: just wal.
NOW until sign sonc papers. that this uoverh'ie"'
may 60 on"
The papers being signed Mr. Lincoln entered into
chattv conversation on public subjects III when
he gave his views the situation as then piesehVcu
by the attitude of the Southern States. lie was
then hopeful that moro serious phase Oh tnc
threatened trouble might he avettcd anu th'' Tue
better Judgment of the citizens OF the south Wg"1
prevail. But he very decided ana detcTmi"cu
as TO what his duty and what MS action "ou'u
be if the sccessonists and disunonists pressed t"n
case. He said The disunionsts did not want "s
to take the oath of Office. have taken IT, ana
intend to administer the Office for the benent Oh o'e
people in accordance with the Constitution aud tue
law The interview was of short duration out OF
consequence rs showing that Mr. Lincoln iiid III 10
measure been nattentve to the growth oil di'uhioh
sentiment in the South, nor was lie III DOUBT ~ 10
what means should be taken to cheek Its progress
He had said TO a prominent Democratic politician
of the State of Kentucky who called upon min at
Springfield. H., Immediately after the November
election: " | lie Fugitive Slave law Will be better
administered under my Administration than 1t ever
has been under that of my predecessors. III your
Marty b As been honest in its execution Will see
that nv party is equally honest in its execution
The gentleman said in reply Mr. Lincoln II you
will put that in writing that may take IL south
aud show 1t TO the people. will guarantee 10 save
every State from secession except prooaoly oou'u
Carolina" Mr.. Lincoln sad: Sir. these are my
views, gwen to you honestly and with good Intent.
You may them rs you thibk proper III "ouio
be indicate and uncallcd for to pnt them IN
writing at this time for the purpose you Indicate
have not vet been placed charge OF the Govern
ment When the time for me to assume
authority will speak plainly and explicitly ana
no man IS no is for the Union will mistake me- Inc
gentleman with whom this conversation was had
has repeated it to me within the last few days
The persuasive methods of Mr. Lincoln aud his
friends for the adjustment OF the differences
between the unionists and disnnionsts were |
DESTROYED by Bcauregards bombardment OF Fort
Sumter. The business OF active war WAS iiaug
urated At a consultation between Mr.. Lincoln and
number of Kentuckians then in Washington City, |
il was determined that come what would Kentucky |
should not be plunged into secession and war |
against the Union. Tie importance OF that state in
the prosecution Of the struggle for the supremacy Oh
the law and the Union such that 1t was deemed
advisable to observe the most conciliatory policy IN
relation to it. 1t was, however. understood that
preparations should be made for the emergency IL
the conclat0ry policy should fail. The earnestnsss
with which Mr. Lincoln looked to the importance
at that conference He said Kentucky must not |
be precipitated into secession She is the key to |
the situation With her faithful to the Union tue |
discori in the other States will come to an end |
She is now in the hands of those who do not repre-
sent the people The sentiment OF her State ohciais
must I've counteracted. We must arouse the young |
men of the State to action for The Union. we must
know what men i'll Kentucky have tho confidence
of the people and who can be relied on for good
Judgment that they may be brought to the support
of the Government at once" He paid high tribute
TO the patriotism of the Southern men who had
stood up against secession. But said he; They
are as a rule beyond the meridian of life and their
counsels and example do not operate quickly, II at
all, on the excitable nature of young men who
become in1aned by the preparations OF war and
who in such war as this will be- If 1t goes on, are
apt to 20 in OH he side that gives the first oppor-
Unity The young men must not be permitted 10
drft away from us. / know that the men who
voted against me in Kentucky will not permit this
Government to be swept away by any such issue
as that framed by the disunOnists. We need only
To organize against Governor MciO hns followers TO
beat them" In this consultation OF conference Mr.
Lincoln was the principal spokesman and both In
manner and matter hc gave evidence that he was
not a novice in leadership
Immediately a npaign for the Union was begun
IN Kentucky. A pacific campaign 1t was. WarlIke
preparations were openly going OH within the
borders of every other State in the Cuion. What
was being done in Kentucky was the work OF the
pen and the clOqucnce of the crater for the Union
or neutrality, which was only another name Tor
secession. The State could not DO dragooned into
open secession, therefore the neutrality poef was
adopted. That policy was more rgidly observed
by Mr. Lincoln than it was by his opponents, but
I'm fha rar