The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-08-14
Hon. @. L. Vallandighan.

E1On. ". Il. V6lLa1Q1gnaTn.
HIS second ADDRESS tothe people Of Ohio.
lie accepts tie nomination for Gouernor,
and defines lis position.
NIAGARA FAILS, CANADA WEsT,l
July II, 1868.
| Arrested and confined for three weeks in
the United States, prisoner of State; BAN
ished thence to the Confederate States, and
there held as an alien enemy and prisoner
of war, though on parole; fairly and honor
ably dealt with and given leave to depart,
an act possible only by running the block
ade at the hazard of being fred upon by
ships flying the flag of my own country, L
found myself first freeman when on Brit
ish soil. And to-day, under protection of
the British flag, | am here to enjoy, and in
part to exercise the privileges and rights
which usrrpers insolently deny me at home.
The shallow contrivance Of the weak des-
pots at Washington and their advisers, has
been defeated Nay, it has been turned a.
gainst them; and [, who, for two years,
was malgned as in secret league with the
Confederates. having refnsed when in their
midst, iureier circumstances the most favor
able, either to identify myself with their
cause Or even so much as to remain, pre-
faring rather exile in a foreign land, return
now with allegiance to my own State and
Government, unbroken in word, thought or
deed, and with every declaration and pledge
to you while at home, and before [ was sto-
len away, made good in spirit and to the
very letter. ia.s A. ar
Six weeks ago, when just going into ban
ishment because an audacious but most cow
ardly despotism caused it, addressed you
as fellow-citizens. To-day, and from the
very place then selected by me, but after
wearisome and most perilous journeyings
for more than four thousand miles by land
and upon the sea, still in exile, though al
most in sight of my native State, l greet
you as your representative. Grateful GER
tainly i am for the confidence in my integ-
rity and patriotism implied by the unani-
nous nomination as candidate for Governor
of Ohio, which you gave while L was yet in
the Confederate States. 1t was not mispla-
ced !; it shall never be abused. But this is
the least of all consideration in times like
these. | ask no personal sympathy for the
personal wrong.
No; it is the cause of constitutional lib
erty and private right, cruelty outraged be-
yond example in a free country, blythe Pres
ident and his servants, which gives public
signifcancy to the action of your convention.
Yours was, indeed, an act of justice to q
citizen who, for his devotion to the rights
of the State and the liberties Of the people,
had been marked for destruction by the hand
of arbitrary power. But it was much more.
Il was an example Of courage worthy of the
heroic ages of the world; and it was a spec
tace and rebuke to the usurping tyrants
who, having broken up the Union, would
now strike down the Constitution, subvert
your present Government, and establish q
formal and proclaimed dcspotism in its stead.
You are the restorers and defenders of con-
stitutional liberty, and by that proud title
history will salute you.
congratulate youupon yournominations.
They whom you have placed upon the tick
ct with me are gentlemen of character, a.
bility, integrity, and tried fidelity to the
Constitution, the Union, and to Liberty.
Their moral and political courage quail
ty always rare, and now the most valuable
of public virtues-is beyond question. Ev-
cry way these were nominations fit to be
made. And even jealousy, am sure, will
now be hushed, if [ especially rejoice with
you in the nomination Of llr. Pugh as a
candidate for Lieutenant Governor and Pres
ident Of the Senate. A scholar and gen
tlenlan, soldier in q foreign war, and a.
ways patriot: eminent as lawyer, and
distinguished as AN orator and d statesman,
| hail his acceptance as an omen of the re-
turn Of the better and more Yirtuous days