Neutrality - a Move in the Right Direction

Yet another article in the August 24, 1861 Covington Journal (this one reprinted from the Cynthiana News) discusses issues relating to Kentucky's attempt to maintain neutrality in the Civil War.

Following it is an untitled article from the same date, with a similar topic, but reprinted from the Lexington Statesman  August 10.

We have been informed, that quite a number of gentlemen of this city, leaders of the Union party, have, since the movement on the part of Lincoln and his friends, in this State, to violate the neutrality, expressed themselves in terms of strong disapprobation with reference to that course of policy; and assert that they will ally themselves to that portion of the people who have determined to adhere to the neutraility, and if they must fight will fall into the ranks of those who will assist in its maintenance. (Blog note: that's a heck of a long sentence.)

Looking to this end, therefore, a consultation was had between Col. Caleb Walton, and W.W. Trimble, Esq., on the part of the Union party, and Gen. Dosha and W.W. Cleary, Esqs., on the part of the State Rights men, and after a free interchange of views, it was found that there was no clash of opinion as to the necessity of adherence and maintenance of neutrality.


We have also been informed that a meeting will be held in Paris, composed of gentlemen from both parties, from Lexington, Nicholasville, Covington, Falmouth, Cynthiana and Paris, for the purpose of giving expression of their sentiments with reference to the proposed innovation upon the laws of the State of Kentucky. We hope the move will prove successful. 

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Since writing an article in another column touching the establishment of military camps in Kentucky, we are highly gratified to learn that quite a number of our most prominent and influential citizens, members of the Union party, are now earnestly engaged in an honest and sincere effort to remove this most irritating and alarming movement. We do not deem it proper to mention the names of these gentlemen, but can assure our readers that they are men whose influence is not small and whose integrity of purpose cannot be questioned. We are deeply gratified at this step, and cannot too highly applaud the honorable and patriotic motives of those who thus labor for the peace and safety of our  people. We know that other Unionists, party leaders, are quite active thwarting the efforts of the gentlemen, but we trust they may not succeed. We shall most cordially second the laudable exertion of the men referred to, in the struggle for peace, and second any movement to avert from our community the horrible and bloody convulsions now immediately threatening.  We beg our Southern Rights friends to await with calmness the result of this movement alluded to. Let us co-operate with those we know to be honest and sincere and endeavor to the very last moment to prevent collision here.  We are on the very verge of war, but possibly the direful issue may yet be averted. Those laboring to that end should be sincerely seconded.