The neutrality of Kentucky.
We have already published a telegraphic abstract of the message of Gov. Magoffin, of Kentucky, and have since received a printed copy of the document. The following correspondence is appended to the message:
Commonwealth of Kentucky,
Since the commencement of the present unhappy difficulties yet pending in the country, the people of Kentucky have indicated a steadfast desire and purpose to maintain a position of strict neutrality between the belligerent parties. They have already striven, by their policy, to avert from themselves the calamity of war, and protect their own soil from the presence of contending armies. Up to this period they have enjoyed comparative tranquility and entire domestic peace.Recently a military force has been enlisted and quartered by the United States authorities within this State. I have on this day addressed a communication and dispatched Commissioners to the President of the United States, urging the removal of these troops from the soil of Kentucky, and thus exerting myself to carry out the will of the people in the maintenance of a neutral position. The people of this State desire to be free from the presence of the soldiers of either belligerents, and to that end my efforts are now directed.
Although I have no reason to presume that the Government of the Confederate States contemplate or have ever purposed any violation of the neutral attitude thus assumed by Kentucky, there seems to be some uneasiness felt among the people of some portion of the State, occasioned by the collection of bodies of troops along their Southern frontier. In order to quiet this apprehension, and to secure to the people their cherished object of peace, this communication is to represent these facts, and elicit an authoritative assurance that the Government of the Confederate States will continue to respect and observe the position indicated as assumed by Kentucky.
