The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1900-02-21
THE.DARK AND BLOODY GROUND
X, ntucky's History Has Boon Ever
Marked by ExoitinR Political

X, ntuckg's History Has Boon Ev or
Marked by Exoitin9 Political
Events.
Kentucky WAS early called "the
dark apd bloody ground" because Of
the sanguinary strifes enacted within
Its borders between cOptendiug tribes
OF ssvages, and has ever retained the
characteristics and traits then de-
veloped to marked degree. From
the political turbulence which pre-
cedcd and followed it's advent into the
Unton as q State, down to the present
revolutionary proceedings now being
enacted at its State Capital, Kentucky
Is nothing If not radical. THIS spirit
is, no doubt, due to the influence and
training of the pioneer settlers, whose
circumstances and surroundings made
them race seldom equalled for
strength aud intellect and will, physi
cal and moral courage, personal PROV
ess and endurance. Many Of the
most intellectual and cultivated officers
OF the Revolution settled in Kentucky
at the close OF the war in 1871, and IL
Is q matter OF history That never did u
population 80 small in numbers en-
brace 80 many who we're giants in in
tellect, daring and physical propor
tions.
Kentucky's fret civil existence be-
gan in the spring OF 1883, when it was
erected into u district with Court OF
criminal and civil jurisdiction. Al
that time the territory was part Of
Virginia. The failure of the English
to surrender their Northwestern posts
within the United States instigated
constant Indian hostillties, ana IN,
~ l. nf
tion from Virginia, in order that they
might lawfully protect themselves
from the savages, Proceedings were
begun to secure constitutional separa-
tion. Virginia acquiesced, provided
that Congress wouiu assent and receive
the new State into the Union. But
two circumstances about this time Oc-
Cured TO create great hostility in Ken.
tucky against the General Govern
ment. One was the utter inability of
Congress to protect them from the de-
predations of the Indians, and the
other was the disposition of an element
in Congress to yield to Spain for twenty
years the right to navigate the Missis-
sippi River in exchange for CONNER
clal privileges beneficial only to the
Eastern States. This aroused intense
dissatisfaction In Kentucky, and Gen.
James Wilkinson. Revolutionary
officer, who had settled In Lexington,
boldly advocated rebellion and separa-
tion from the Union. His movement,
however, did not gain any consider
able following. This was In 1856.
For four years the agitation for q
separate State progressed. Gen. Viii.
klnson continued to be a revolutionary
factor and advocated an independent
government, which, he said, Spain
would recognize and cede to it the
right Of navigation of the Mississippi.
Agents from Canada also intrigued
with the malconteuts, urging Kentucky
to unite with the northern English
provinces. In the meantime Gen.
Washington was elected President,
and strongly recommended the accept
ance OF the Virginia Act OF Separa-
tiOn by Congress. On February 4,
l79l, an Act for that purpose passed
butn houses OF Congress, was signed by
President Washington and Kentucky
became u State.
In December, 1871, q Constitutional
Convention was elected, which met in
the following April and formed the
fret Constitution OF kentucky. The
basis OF repf esentation by counties was
abandoned and numbers established
instead. The Executive, S,nate and
judiciary were entir ly removed from
the direct control of the people. The
Governor and members OF the Senate
were chosen by electors elected by the
people, and the judiciary were ap
pointed. The Constitution was adopted
and officers elected In May, 1892. Isaac
Shelby was elected the first Governor
The first Legislature met at Lexlpg
ton and fixed upon the future seat Of
al
Twenty five commissioners were fret
chosen by general ballot. Then tn :
OF Mercer and Fayette, the |
rival competitors for the location, al |
ternately struck five names from the
llst until the commissioners were re-
duced to five. These last were empow-
cred to fix upon the Capital and Frank.
Tort was chosen.
year after Kentucky ratified her
hrst Constitution she narrowly escaped |
coming into direct conflict with the |
General Government. The flame of |
'ympathy which swept over the coun-
try Tor the new Frepch Republic |
Durned with exceeding ferceness la
kentucky. Genet, the French am bas.
,ador,, who openly disregarded the
Presidents prociamatiOn OF neutrality,
,ent four French agents into Kentucky
ihese were Instructed to enlist an
army OF 1000 men, appoint a generals
'imo and descend the Ohio and Misss-
'ippi rivers and attack the Spanish se,-
dement's ct the mouth. The move.
men, wss everywhere received with
ervent zeal, and Gen. George Rogers
Clark accepted the command, with the
itle OF Commander Chief OF the
s,rench Revolutionary Legions on the
Mississippi." In the meantime societies
a imitation OF the Jacobin clubs of
f'sSsi sf'SsSs e spread a Kentucky, which
N ~ vie nti- Federal spirit.
So = eton protested to