The neutrality of Kentucky.
Gallatin, Tenn., Aug. 26, 1861.
To the Editors of the Dispatch: We are not a little annoyed by the course pursued and likely to be continued by Kentucky.
We desire peace with her, and though we do not so well like her neutrality, believing that she should be with us, adding another star to our Confederacy, we could be reconciled to it if she would in reality preserve neutrality.
Instead of which, she only cries neutrality, whilst Lincoln & Co. are sending in arms, money (if any he can get) and men to aid her disloyal sons to deprive the rest of all power, and finally, in a fight which they must soon have among themselves, to subjugate and turn Kentucky over to the usurper.
Kentucky is in a woeful fix — divided into two parties.
Hard to tell which has the majority.
Neither will give up or yield.
Therefore, we anticipate a Kilkenny cat fight among them.
Some evil spirits have been and are now exerting themselves to get up a difficulty between our State and Kentucky.
I hope they will fail, and that Kentucky will yet merit the assistance of Tennessee when her hour shall come.
Lincoln, Scott & Co. can go into Kentucky, if Kentuckians will permit their neutrality to be disregarded; but woe be to them when they pollute the soil of Tennessee; for all her men, old and young, even women and children, will fight them to the death.
In this county, already so well represented in Virginia, there are a good many companies raised, and others not yet filled, besides several cavalry companies, all of which will soon be ready for marching orders.
To-day, the ladies of this place meet at the Presbyterian Church for the purpose of organizing a soldiers' relief society.
That they will succeed in all things thereto pertaining, there is not a doubt, God bless the ladies.--Their patriotism knows no bounds.
I know not one hereabouts who would not share her last penny with the brave soldier. T. 