Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-03-27

OIL ONO, ana bOEn EksCk IMAM,
OF Pa, ias tic E2Ousc OG Repre-
sentatives. February 40, 1859.
Mr.. HICKMAN. l rise to question Of
privilege, which is contained in the
resolution l send to the Clerks desk to
be read.
The Clerk read as follows
WHEREAS, The Baltimore Clipper of
this date contains the following publica-
tion:
"Documents Found.--During yester-
day, police force visited the office of
the South newspaper, and took possession
of number tf letters written by Sena-
tors Bayard and Salisbury, of Delaware,
and the notorions Vallandigham of Ohio.
The documents contain touching senti
ments of poor bleeding Dixie, and vari-
Gus suggestions how the Yankees might
be defeated"
Therefore, Resolved, That the Com
mittce on Judiciary be directed to enquire
into the truth of the allegations therein
made against G. l.. Valandigham, a
member of the House, with power to
send for persons and papers, and to ex-
anime witnesses on oath or affirmation,
and to make report there on.
Mr.. HIcKMAN. Upon the resolution l
call the previous question.
Mr.. NALLANDIoHAM. The gentleman
from Pennsylvania will withdraw that l
know.
Mr.. HICKMAN. | withdraw it.
Mr.. VALLANDIGHAM. | was Just wait
ing for an opportunity to call the atten-
ton of the House to that statement myself,
having received it from some unknown
source a moment ago. ! do not know,
of course, what the motives Just now of
the gentleman from Pennsylvania be, nor
do care. My purpose then as just
what it is now, to give a plain, direct,
emphatic contradiction-a flat denial to
| the. infamous statement and n>inuation
contained in the newspaper paragraph
Just read. | never wrote letter or a
line upon political subjects, least of all
on the subject Of secession, to the Balti'
more South, or any other paper, to any
man south of Mason and Dixon's line
since this revolt began-never; and |
defy the production of it. 1t is false,
Infamous, scandalous; and it is beyond
endurance, too. that mans reputation
shall be at the mercy of every scavenger
employed to visit the haunts of vice in a
great city, a mere local editor for an
irresponsible newspaper, who may choose
to parade before the country false and
malicious libels like this. l avail myself
of this opportunity to say that | enter
| into no defense, and shall enter into none,
until some letter shall be produced here
which have written, or authorized to
be written, referring to "5leeding Dixie, "
or any suggestion show the Yankees
might be defeated" If any such are in
existence pronounce them here and now,
utter and impudent forgeries. l have
said that enter upon no defense. de-
ny that it is the duty or the right of any
member to rise here and call for investi-
CATION founded upon statements like this
and / only regret that | did not have the
opportunity to denounce this report be-
fore the chairman of the Committee or
the Judiciary rose, and in this forma
manner called the attention of the Hous'
to it-himself the accuser and the Judge
Sir, | have been for five years a member
of this House, and l never rose to per
sonal explanation but once, and that t,
correct report Of the proceedings of tn
House. l have always considered sucl
mere personal explanations and contro
versies with the press as uubecominl
the dignity of the House.
Nevertheless, | did intend to make thi
f the first exception in my congressional
career, and to say-and wish my word
reported, not only here at the desk off
oislly, but in the gallery-that l denounc
in advance this foul and infamous state
ment, that l have been in reasonable, o
d even suspicious correspondence with an
one in that State-loyal though it is t