Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-28
MILITARY PRIsoS, CISCNxATI, O., I
Nay 8, 1868. !


--sF%i
Nay 8, 1868.
To the Democracy Of Ohio:
lam here in military bastile for no other OffsSce
dian nv political opinions and the defence Of bem end
If the rights of the people, and Of your constitutional
liberties Speeches made in the hearing of thousands
Of you in denurcao Of the usurpaons OF power, in
fractions of the Constitution and laws and of military
despotm were the sole of my arrest and mpris-
ormeut | am DemOcrat-for Constitution, for law,
Tor the Union, for iberty-this is my only "crime. -
For no dsobedienee to the Constitution for viola
ton of Law; for word sign, or gesture OF sympathy
with the men OF the South, who are for disunon and
southern Independence bus in obedience TO their de-
maud as well as the demand Of abolition dsunioniss
and traitors, l am here in bonds to-day; but
"Time, at last, sets all things event"
Meanwhile Democrats of Ohio, Of the Northwest, of
the United states be firm be your principles to
the Constitution 10 the Unon and all will yet be WELL
As FOR myself adhere to every principle and will make
good through Imprisonment and life ITSELF every pledge
ana declaration which have ever made, uttered, or
nau,ained from the beginning. To you, to the whole
people, to TINS, l again appeal Slsnd hrm! Falier
nor an Instant c. L. VALLANDIGH1M
1, will be observed that Mr.. Yallandgham him
self "or the Union declares himself guildess of any
sword, sign or gesture Of sympathy with the men Of
the South who are for dsuniOn and Southern ndepen
depee and adiures bis fellow Democrats of Ohio to
continue to be "true to the Union" We know what
allowance is to be made for the circumstances under
WHICH this card was written; we know, too, to what
degree the manly resistance he has made to the Wash
i,gtou usurpaton entities him to respect and the
pesecuon with which he is visited to pity; but We,
nevertheless, feel called upon to declare that
holding the opinions and sentiments avOwsd in this
manifesto hiss right TO come among u.s. by the co tr
vance Of the enemy, and remain with us-eIcep the
EXPRESS ground that he himself solcits protection
and pledges himself neither to do say anything while
here in urtherance advocacy or defence of the sent
ments and purposes avowed in this card
It's easy to understand the crafty policy that has
prompted his prosecutors to send him to US. They
knew that If we welcomed him and he affiliated with u.s.
and We with him, that would justify them in the general
Judgment for lis arrest and Punishment His friends
could no longer pretend that it was safe or just to allow
man to remain in their midst whose heart with the
South, and who was regarded by the South friend.
Nor would il appear that he had been dealt with other
wise than enienty in sending him to his friends Hence
the CRY of persecution and martyrdom would have
effect. all sympathy would die out and VaIlandigham's
influence would be at an end. On the other hand II
We rejected him, or treated him harshly, it would be in
the power Of his enemies say "See the traitors
ward. Even those to whom be sought to betray us
desp:se him. Who is so meansprted TO continue to
feel kindly towards the South when contumely and
tempt are all the South has to give to the who has
gone farther and suffered for it than any other
Northern man Lincoln and Seward we're cunning
enough 70 see that the other of these results
would likely happen and that either would be infinitely
better for them than the dangerous sympathy and ndig
nation that would be excited BY his exile the Dry Toru
gas or his incarceration at Fort Warren-a sympathy
and indignation that would have increased from daily
agitation while his daily martyrdou continued.
Wsadvert to the subject without undertaking to in
dicate how the case should be handled It is quite de-
srable, if it can be done without injustice to Mr. w.
and without OpprObrum to ourselves that the difficulty
shall be met in such way will foil the cunning game
Of Lincoln and Seward.