Kentucky's Morehead promotes Union in Mississippi
From The New-York Times December 10, 1860:
GREAT ANTI-DISUNION DEMONSTRATION AT VICKSBURG.
A mass meeting to consider the issues of the day, way held at Vicksburg, Miss., on the afternoon and evening of the 29th ult. The Whig says: “It was a magnificent and triumphant success. Notwithstanding the slanders which had been circulated about it — that it was a ‘submission,’ a ‘Union-at-any-price’ gathering, &c., the people came to it, and it was the largest demonstration known in the State since the memorable canvass of ’51,”
Gen. PATRICK HENRY, of Rankin County, was chosen President by acclamation. Ex-Gov. MOREHEAD, of Kentucky, made a very able address, from which, as reported in the Whig, we make the following extracts:
“I believe LINCOLN was elected conformably to the spirit the Constitution. His mere election is not sufficient for us to act rashly or hastily.
LINCOLN was elected in conformity to the Constitution, his strength confined, I admit, to the North. There is a Senate, a House of Representatives and a Supreme Court opposed to him. We have every part of the Government except the Executive chair, He can do nothing.
There is no such thing as one section conquering the other. It is far better for us, as patriots loving our common country, and particularly our own section — far better for us to pursue a different course. Shall we make issue with our friends at the North who have battled so manfully for our rights? Is it not desirable that we should act so that there will be a unity of feeling — united as a band of brothers — that we might produce the desired effect? It is just to the border States to say we will go out and drag you after us? [Shouts of “No, no.”] Do you think Kentucky is cowardly? [Loud shouts of “No,” resounded throughout the hall.] Don’t drag her out against her will. [Voice in audience — “That’s right. Stand up for Kentucky, old hoss; I’ll bet on you.”] She will maintain her rights! [Voice — I’m from Hinds County, and indorse your sentiments.] (Here the house was called to order, and the speaker went on.) Do you think it just for Mississippi to say to Kentucky, we will go out and give you no voice? Ought she not to be consulted? Does she not lose one hundred negroes where Mississippi loses one?
We have a right to demand such concessions of the North as will restore us peace and happiness. Kentucky is willing to work with you, but cautiously. I cay be cautious; for when Mississippi, South Carolina and Georgia go out, Kentucky will then be forced, by you to become a free State. It would be a severe blow against Slavery. It would bring Slavery down, and Mississippi herself would soon become a border State. Do you want to go out without consultation with Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Tennessee? I think they ought to be listened to as well as South Carolina or Georgia. If we were to amend the Constitution and have electors chosen in each district, instead of by States, no Republican would ever again be elected to fill the chair which Washington once occupied! If a line were to run on a parallel or 36:30, establishing Slavery south and Freedom north, it would take the agitation of Slavery out of Congress forever. [Applause.]
The Governor then proceeded to describe at length the utter inability of the Cotton States to support the large standing army, which in the event of secession they would require. …
Vicksburg 1860
1) Kentucky’s ex-governor Charles S. Morehead mentions the discrepancy in the number of fugitive slaves lost between Kentucky and Mississippi. In editorializing about the Fugitive Slave Law The New-York Times listed the last known count of slaves lost by state (for the year 1850). The discrepancy wasn’t exactly 100 to 1. According to the list in The Times Kentucky lost 96 slaves; Mississippi lost 41. Maryland, a border state like Kentucky, lost the most by far – 279.
2) Morehead is another person who believes in what we call gridlock today – Lincoln’s hands will be tied because non-Republicans control Congress and the Supreme Court.
3) Earlier in the week Vicksburg was also mentioned in The Times’ (would-be) technology section (The New-York Times December 8, 1860):
Telegraph Cable Across the Mississippi.
NEW-ORLEANS, Friday, Dec. 7.
A telegraph cable was successfully laid across the river, at Vicksburgh, to-day.
The future is grim for the Pony Express.
It’s interesting that Morehead argues that staying in the Union is the best way to preserve slavery. Of course, he’s looking for something like Crittenden’s Compromise, putting the 36 30 line in the constitution — which wasn’t going to happen.