Year: 1861

arHnyi 'i -


Fifteen thousand Kentucky freemen
have resolved to perish on the field of
fame, to have the flesh hacked from their
bones, rather than see their beloved State
overrun by the ignorant hordes who have
gathered around the Usurper's banner,
and live themselves the wretched slaves
of an upstart tyrant and the new-hedged
subordinates who carry out his will.


Fifteen thousand Kentuckians are in
arms for the preservation of their iber-
ties, showing by their example those
who hesitate to strike for freedom, or
falter in the hour of peril.


There are fifteen thousand Kentuck-
ians to-day arrayed under the tri-barred
flag of the South, bravely fighting for
property, home, and permission to govern
themselves; but there are twenty thous-
and other Kentuckians South of Green
River who know that all freemen hold
dear is at stake, but are willing to trust
all to the valor of others rather than to
give up one comfort or run one risk. We
blush to record the fact that such men
have been born and reared on the soil of
this State. We cannot conceive what
their feelings are as they look upon their
wives, their children, and their sweet
hearts and think of the Judgment which
their friends and neighbors will pass
upon them in few years.


What man is willing to 80 act that
few years hence it may be Justly said to
his child, "Your father lived in the days
that tried mems souls-when a tyrant
sought to reduce the people to slavery.
when President attempted to overturn
the Constitution and establish an absolute
despotism instead of the Republic
brave men and true ones preferring death
to dishonor, rose up to defend their in
stitutions and perpetuate their liberties
and he failed to do his duty, he falter-
ed In the hour of danger, he shrunk from
the perils of the conflict, he proved re-





he confessed himself coward and fit
for slaveT If there is one such man
South of Green River, one who would en-
tail such heritage of dishonor on those
who are to come after him and bear his
name, one who would purchase present
ease and safety at such cost, he should
not join the Confederate Army, but, rob-
bed of the attributes of manhood, he
should be permitted to pursue his ignoble
choice unmolested by ala mark should
be put upon him, as upon Cain, SO that
none would harm him.


And such is every one who, not con-
trolled by obligations which he cannot
disregard, refuses nos0 to join his coun-
trymen and aid them in rolling back the
tide of invasion which threatens to over
whelm and destroy them.


And, moreover, every consideration of
interest prompts Kentuckians to rush to
the ranks of the Southern army. The
enemy invaded Kentucky and brought
this war to the very homes of the peo-
pie; and until the invaders are driven
from the soil, the conflict will be waged
here, for the gallant sons of the Confederate
States will never let the Yankees advance
into Tennessee. If peace is desirable
if the freemen of the State would culti-
vate their farms in quiet and look after
their focks undisturbed by the fierce a
larums of war-they must first help drive
the Northern troops across the Ohio; for
while the forces of the tyrant are among
US, they will be confronted everywhere
by the soldiers of freedom.


Now is the accepted time Kentucky
should have dozen new regiments,
armed with squirrel rifles, shot guns,
whatever they can get, in the field, in a
fortnight. We believe the people are
ready to turn out, if proper means were
resorted to by those who should give their
time and their influence to the organiza-
tion of companies and regiments. And
we hope to see score of gallant young
knights in the field at once rallying the
sturdy yeomanry.--Loas. CoaI-ier,