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That has been tried.
Secessionists must invent something new in the way of secession appliances before they can either frighten or “drag” Kentucky out of the Union.
I tell you, sensation gentlemen, that your exciting events have ceased to affect us. Try something else.
Get up a fight at Cairo, that you may get us to side with you. That is your game, and you will play it whenever you think you can succeed at it. You tried to scare us, but you failed in your purpose.
And if you illegally and against right assault Cairo, I hope every man of you will get his head knocked, or be taken prisoner, and that the Cairo folks will never permit you to come to Kentucky again.
That's what I wish, and what I believe would happen in such an event.
But we won't “go out” --have not the least notion of it in the world.
You must take us out according to law and right, or take us dead.
Believe this, and act accordingly.
It would be better for all of us. We shall be but too happy to keep peace, but we cannot leave the Union of our fathers.
When Kentucky goes down it will be in blood.
Let that be understood.
She will not go as other States have gone.
Let the responsibility rest on you, where it belongs.
It is all your work, and whatever happens will be your work.
We have more right to defend our Government than you have to overturn it. Many of us are sworn to support it.
Let our good Union brethren of the South stand their ground.
I know that many patriotic hearts in the seceded States still beat warmly for the old Union--the old flag.
The time will come when we shall all be together again.
The politicians are having their day. The people will yet have theirs.
I have an abiding confidence in the right, and I know that this secession movement is all wrong.
There is, in fact, not a single substantial reason for it. If there is, I should be glad to hear it; our Government has never oppressed us with a feather's weight.
The direst oppression alone could justify what has brought all our present suffering upon us.
May God, in his mercy, save our glorious Republic.--N. Y. Tribune, June 3.
Van Nostrand. New York, New York. 1862.
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