The neutrality of Kentucky.
There is one point in the Message of the Northern neurper, (says the Nashville Union,) that is calculated to open the eyes of all who have advocated neutrality in either of the Southern States. It is particularly adapted to the condition of Kentucky. Many of the people of that State have advocated strict neutrality between the North and the South, believing, that they would be enabled to keep themselves free from the controversy, and save their State from the horrors of war.The Legislature of the State adopted resolutions declaring that Kentucky would remain neutral in the contest, and would not permit the passage of troops over her soil from another party. The Governor, in accordance with these resolution, issued a proclamation warning both parties from violating this neutrality. Inasmuch as all of Lincoln's acts were gross usurpations of power and clearly in derogation of the Constitution, Kentucky had a perfect right to assume this position, because any allegiance she owes to the Federal Government is under and by virtue of the Constitution, and when that is violated and disregarded, she is at perfect liberty to refuse obedience to an unconstitutional authority.
But it was a delusion to suppose that the usurper would respect this neutrality. Assuming that, while a State remains in the Union, it is bound to obey all its edicts, no matter how arbitrary or unconstitutional, he claims perfect allegiance and demands the right to prosecute hostilities against the Southern States, across Kentucky soil. He says that this neutrality is impossible and would ‘"tie the hands of Unionists and feed the insurrectionists."’
The objection to it, as thus stated, is that it will prevent Lincoln from carrying on a war of invasion against States which lie beyond the neutral territory. He says it ‘"recognizes no fidelity to the Constitution and no obligation to maintain the Union."’ The truth is, that neutrality in this war simply brands Lincoln's acts as usurpations, and the Union which upholds as a despotism.
But his acts being usurpations, and his Union a despotism, neutrality to it is not enough. Armed hostility to it can alone save a State from its encroachments, and preserve the liberties and rights of the States and of the people. Lincoln will not recognize such neutrality. Nothing will do but abject obedience to his tyranny, and submission to his usurpations. Will Kentucky obey, like a slave, this last decree of the usurper?--Will she cringe and crouch at his feet and be driven by his scourge into internecine war upon her Southern sisters? Will she allow her soil to be made the theatre of hostilities forced upon her unwillingly by this tyrant, without arousing her ancient manhood and chivalry and resisting an unconstitutional tyranny, carried on under the mockery of upholding free government upon the earth?--Will she adopt all of Lincoln's sophisms, and approve his perjured acts, by which he has overturned the Constitution and would now make slaves of the whole South? The issue is fairly made up by the usurper, and Kentucky must now choose her course. It remains to be seen how she will act. Her glory or her shame depends upon the response she may give.