384. The Border States
The people of Maryland and of Kentucky were evenly divided on the question of secession . They even tried to set up as neutral states . But their neutrality would have been so greaty to the advantage of the seceders that this could not be allowed . Lincoln ＇ s firm moderation and the patriotism of many wise leaders in Kentucky saved that state to the Union . But Maryland was so important to the defense of Washington that more energetic means had to be used . In Missouri , a large and active party wished to join the Confederacy . But two Union men , Frank P . Blair and Nathaniel Lyon , held the most important portions of the state for the Union . It was not until a year later , however , that Missouri was safe on the North - ern side .
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