The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-01-18


Ia the month Of December, 1860,
the State OF South Carolina passed
the rash and fatal ordinance Of Seces-
sion. This dark, ominous cloud Of
civil discord that arose in the South
and gathered strength and blackness
as il rolled northward, threatening
soon TO burst in q terrific storm Of
civil war, blood and carnage, and
convulse this mighty Government
from center to circumference a war
that was soon 20 stain hundreds OF
battlefelds with the blood Of many
thousands of brave and good men
from every part OF our glorious Union.
Early in the winter Of 1861 all classes
Of our citizens in Central Kentucky
became intensely interested in the
question Of the propriety Of Ken
tucky's seeding and casting her for
tune It'll the other Slave States,
which had been, by excitement and
forced elections, hurled out Of the
Union into the so-called Southern
Coniederacy, where slavery instead
Of freedom was 10 become the chief
corner stone Of this new national
edihce.
In Central Kentucky, aud especial.
ly in those counties bordering on the
southern part Of the bluegrass re-
gion," debates became decidedly
warm and spirited A small MAORI
~ Of the best citizens Immediately
took firm and decided stand against
secession and rebellion, while many
whose love for the divine" institution
Of African slavery assumed that
peculiar cloak for treason called
neutrality, and loudly demanded
compromises instead Of coercion; and
many were from the first rebels at
heart, who openly proclaimed on the
streets Of our towns their wicked and
reasonable designs 20 destroy OF di-
vide this Union Of States.
The winter passed The mad fire
OF secession continued TO rage Active
preparations for war were carried on
in the seeded States Union men
were astonished at the inactivity Of
Buchanan's weak administration;
while rebels rejoiced aud exulted over
the surrender Of that brave and good
man, Major Anderson, and his gallant
little band OF heroes at Fort Sumter.
Rebel companies were drilling in
Central aud Southern Kentucky. aud
open, outspoken Union men were
threatened with hanging OF Danish
ment. We began 30 think the time
had come when we should rub up our
old shot guns and trusty rifles, and
instead of discussing secession meet
ings were called 10 consult as 90 the
best methods Of self protection.
The legerdemain by which the ex-
treme Southern States we're juggled
out Of the Union had so far proved
a success Only let it be granted
that where thirteen or more parties
have entered into a solemn contract
with each other either Of the parties
can rightfully withdraw from the
arrangement when he pleases without
the consent Of the others, and you can
prove anything. Any man whose
mind can be taught that, could be
made believe anything, and the
Southern people were carefully
taught to believe it, They contended
that while the States which chose to
secede could not be righifully coerced
TO remain in the Union, those States
which chose 10 remain must be forced
20 secede. But the Confederate
logicians in Kentucky Matched a new
lie called neutrality, and declared
that Kentucky should be neutral
until the rebellion should become
strong enough to swallow her at
mouthful. Governor Magoilin, whose
sympathies were strong for the South,
issued a proclamation calling for the
organization Of the State Militia, and
also converting the Legislature to
consider the crisis. The 22d of May,
1851, the Senate passed a resolution
declaring that Kentucky will never
sever her connection with the Nation.
al Government, nor take up arms for
either belligerent." This resolution
was lost in the House Of Representa-
tiyes by large vote. The secession
lists of Kentucky began to be alarmed,
and their fears were not diminished
when the result of the election held
the first of July showed a majority
for the Union candidates of more
than fifty-fve thousand votes; and
Kentucky Union men began TO take
courage at the action Of the Presi-
dent, and the hearty response by
troops from the Northern States 90
his call for 5000 three. months men
to meet the rebel army then gathered
in Northeastern Virginia. And many
believed the sectional troubles"
would soon blow over without the