New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-21
THE TREASON OF vALLANDIGHAM
The Charge, Finding, and sentesee Of
the Military Commission.
HEADauARIER. DEPARTNsNr OF TIE ONO,

w. u,
GrSrnAL ORDFRs. No. 6S.--I. At Military
Commission which convened at Cincinnati. Ohio, on
the 9Th day Of May, 1853, pursuant to Special Or
ders No. 1885, Of April !, 1863, current series from
tbe,e headquarters, and Of which Brig. Gen. Rob-
eu Is. Potter, u. z. Vols, 10 President, was ar.
r.igued and tried. Clement l.. Valapdighsm. citi.
zen Of the State OF Ohio, on the following charge
and specification OF charge, to wit:
CHAReE.-Pubhely expressing, in violation of
General Orders No. 81, from Headquarters Depart
ment OF the Ohio, sympathy for those in against
the Government OF the United States and declaring
disloysl ,eotiments and opinions with the object
aud purpose Of weakening the power of the Gov
eminent in its efforts 10 suppress On unlawful Re-
beon.
Spec,feation--Iu this, that the said Clement L.
Vaianoigham, citizen of the State of Ohio, 90 or
about the Let day Of May, 1868, at Nj. Vernon,
meeting Of citizens and Gid utter sentiments, in
word or in effect follows: Declaring the present
war "a wicked, cruel and unnecessary war" "a
war not being wsged for the preservation OF
the Union;" "A war for the purpose Of crush
ing out Liberty and erecting a Despotism;" g.
war for the freedom Of the blacks and the en,lave-
uent VI the whites" stating that, II the Admin.
10 ration had 80 wisbcd, the war could have been
honor.bly terminated months ago." that Peace
might have bean hOporsbly obtqiDed by hstsnag 10
the ~ opposed Of France" that Prop
oeiIons by which the Northern STATES coulc be won
back and the South guaranteed their rights under
the Consultation bad been rejected the day before
the aIe battle Of fredericksburg, by Lincoln aud his
minions," meaning thereby the PresideDt of the
United States and these under him In authority;
charging that "the Government of the United
States were about 10 appoint Military Marshsis
IN every district, TO restrain the people Of their
liberties, TO deprive them Of their rights and
privileges" "chsracterizing General Orders
No. 80, from Headquarters Department OF Ohio,
as bsse usurpation OF arbitrary authority invt-
ing bis hearers TO resst the ssme. By saying, "the
soouer tue TeOple inform the mipi0ne vi usurped
power that they will not submit 10 such restrictions
upon tser liberties the berer; declaring TIM, " be
was all times and upon oil occasions. resolved 10
do what be could 10 defeat the attempts low being
made to build up monarchy upon the ruins OF cur
free Government" asserting that &" he firmly be-
lieyed, ~ he said siI months ago, that the men in
power attempting 10 establish despotism in
this country moro cruel and more oppressive than
ever sxisttd before" All OF which opinions and
sentiments he well knew did aid, comfort, aud en-
courage those III arms against the Government and
could but induce in his bearers oistrust Of their
own Government, sympathy for those IN arms
sgsinst It. and disposition 70 resist the laws Of the
land.
10 which charges and specifications the prisoner
refusing to plead either Guilty" or "Not Gully"
the Commission directed the Judge-Adyocste TO en-
ter on the records the plea OF "hot Guilty"
The Conmision, after mature dellberstion on the
evidence sdoucod aud the statement OF the accused
find the accused, Clement u. Valsndgham, cit-
zen Of the State OF OHIO, as follows:
OF the specification, Except the words " That
propos itions by which the Northern States could be
won back and the South guaranteed their rights
under the Constitution, bad been rejected the day
before the battle OF Fredericksburg, by Lincoln and
bic minious," meaning thereby The President OF the
Uued States, and these under him in authority, and
tie words asserting thai he firmly believed, be
assertSd ak months ago, that the men IN power are
attempting TO establish Despotsm IN this country
more cruel and more oppressive than even existed
belore,"J Guilty"
And, ~ 10 these words, +" Not guilty"
OF the charge, " Guilty."
Aud the Commission do therefore sentence him,
the said Clement l.. Nalandighsm, citizen OF the
State Of Ohio TO b. placed ia close confinement, in
some fortress OF the United Statee 20 be designated
by tho commanding officer Of this Department. there
10 DO kept during the continuance OF the war.
ii. The proceedings, finding and sentence in the
foregoing are approved and confirmed, and il If
directed sat the place of confinement OF ihs prisoner
Clement l.. Valandighsm, in accordance with SAID
sentence. be Fort Warren. Boston Haybor.
by command Of Msj.-Gen. BURNSIDE.
LOUIS klCuhOnD, Asst Adj Zen.