“This leading sentiment of mediation was indorsed by the Union men of both Houses of the Legislature....  Some may say, why did not the Kentucky Legislature go for coercion?  For two reasons:  First, some States, it is true had seceded from the Union, but war had not actually commenced:  second, the men at that time who would have undertaken to force coercion upon the Legislature would have been in the hopeless minority and would have immediately given a majority to the secessionists.  It would have ended in total destruction to the cause of the Union in the State.  Those resolutions were for two purposes.  In good faith they were intended to compromise all difference between the States, and if possible to restore peace between sections.  If that failed, they were intended to hold, if possible, our meagre majority until the people could act and we had no doubt that when they did speak it would be in unmistakable tones for the preservation of the Union."[26]

No action was taken on these resolutions, but on the eleventh of February there was passed a joint measure, entitled “Resolutions Declaring action by the Legislature on political affairs unnecessary and inexpedient at this time,"[27] These resolutions mentioned the great danger which environed the Union, asked the Confederates to stay the work of secession and protested against coercion.  The last resolution favored the calling of a convention to amend the Constitution of the United States.  Significant too for the Unionists were the last words:  “It is unnecessary and inexpedient for the Legislature to take any further action on the subject at the present time, and as an evidence of the sincerity and good faith of our propositions for an adjustment and our expression of devotion to the Union and the desire for its preservation Kentucky awaits with great solicitude the responses from her sister States."[28]

Neutrality, however, became the accepted policy of so many that it proved to be dangerous.  The Union State Committee, in drawing up on the eighteenth of April a resolution to please all, seemingly pledged the State to join the South.  These resolutions were severely criticised by the Unionists, especially that part which says:  “What the future destiny of Kentucky may be we cannot with certainty foresee.  But if the enterprise announced in the proclamation of the President should at any time hereafter assume the aspect of a war for overrunning and subjugation of the seceding States, then Kentucky ought to take her stand for the South.” [29] Many thought that this obligated Kentucky to go with the South.  Unionists of other States considered it a victory for the Confederacy.  This committee, however, stipulated this proposition to satisfy those sympathizers with the South, who believed all the bad reports concerning the functionaries of the Federal Government, circulated by the leaders of the Confederacy.  Hence, they said in this proposition not that Kentucky would go