Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-07-16
THE LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT,

lie
WASHINGTON, JUNE 20, 1868.
. r. -; ru,, n, President of the United States:
Thu undersigned having been appointed committee,
oar tina subory of the resolutions OF the State Con-
anton held at the city of Columbus Ohio, on the lin
instant TO communicate with you on the subject OF the ar
rest and banmen of Clement l.. Vallandgham most re-
sn.cluIy submit the following the resolutions OF that
Convention bearing upon the subject of this communica
ton and ask your Exceency their earnest considera
ton And they deem II proper to state that the ConVeh
ton which all parts OF the State were repre-
sented of the most respectable as to numbers aud
character and one the most earnest and sincere in sup
port Of the Constitution and the Union, held in that
State:
Resored That the will of people is the foundation OF
all free government that give effect TO this free will free
Thought free spcech and free press absolutely ndspen
sable Without free discussion there certainty of sound
Judgment without sound Judgment there can be no wise gov
eminent.
pe TO discuss all of their Government and to ap
prove dapprove their best Judgment seems right
icy which their Judgment is best and to argue and vote
against whatever policy seems to them TO violate the Consul
uton 10 impair their hberes or 10 DE 70 'ei
welfare.
g. That these and all other rights guaranteed to them by
their rights in time OF war as well in
Tune of peace, and OF lar more value ana Necessity III w
than peace for in peace liberty, security and property
seldom endangered in war they are ever in peril
That we now say all whom it may not by
way Of threat but calmly and firmly that we VIII not sur
submit their forclble Yolatlon
We will obey the laws ourselves and all others must obey
them
H. That Ohio will adhere the Constitution and the
Union as the may be the asthope of popular free
dom aud for all wrongs which may have been committed
or evils which may exist will seek redress under the Con,
suon and within the Union by the peaceful but powerful
agency Of the sultrages OF a free people. ....
IL That win earnestly support every constitutional
measure tending 70 pfesefVs te .agn o. 5
none desire it there who will make greater
aocr6ces or endure more than we will accomplish that
nd We as
the Constitution and the Union and have no sympathy
with the ehemies OF either
10 That The arrest imprisonment pretended tlial and
tu. Punishment Of Clement l. Vaandsham citizen OF the
State Ohio belonging TO the land or naval forces OF the
United States the militia in actual servce by alleged
military authority for other pretended crime than That OF
erug words OF Legitimate criticism upon the conduct OF the
Administration in power and of appealing tote ballot box fer
achange of pocysad arrest atd military trial taking place
where the courts Of law are open and unGbstueted ana tor
no act done within sphere active military operations
carving the warwe regard as a papa5e violation OF
the following provisions of the Constitution OF the United
States:
Congress shall make law abdgpg the freedom of
speech the press the right OF the people peaceab to
assemble and petition the Tor OF EeV
> The right the people be in their persons,
seizures shall be violated and shall issue
but upon probable supported by oath or affirmation
and particularly describing the place be searched and the
persons things 10 be seized.
3 No person shall he held ora capital other
wise infamous crime, unless presenment indictment
Of grand nry except arising in the land naval
forces in the militia when in actual service Ill time Of war
public danger"
all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy
the right speedy and public trial by impartial jury Of
and district wherein the crime shall have been com
mtted which district shall nave been previously asceaned
by law
And we furthermore denounce said arrest trial and
shmen a direct insult offered to the sovereignty OF the
people of Ohio by whose organic law it is declared that
shall be transported out OF the State Tor any offence
committed within the same
I6 That Clement L. Valandghsm was at the time Of his
arrest prominent candidate for nomination by the Demo
cratic party of Ohio for the office Of Governor OF the State
he dem tic
whether fit for that nomination aud that the at.
spt was an unmerited imputaon upon their intelligence
and loyalty, well a violation of the Constitution
IT, That respectfully but most earnestly call upon the
dipham to his home in Ohio and that committee OF one
from district Of the State TO be selected
by the presiding officer Of this hereby appoint
ed TO present this application to the President
The undersigned in the discharge Of the duty assigned
them do not think necessary to reerae the facts
nected with the arrest trial and Punishment of Mr. Val
lsndigha-they we'll known to the President aud
Of public hstory-nor enlarge upon the positions taken
by the Convention to recaptulae the constitutional
provisions which it is believed have been contravened
thew have been stated at length aud with cearness in the
resolutions which have been rected The undersigned
content themselves with brief reference to other sgge
tons pertinent to the subiec
They do not call upon your Excelency rs suppllants
rsvinp the revocation Of the order banshng Mr. Ndan
dgham as Il favor but by the authority Of Convention
rspresentinp majority Of the citizens Of the State Of
Ohio they respectfully ask ii right due to an Ameri
can citizen IN whose personal injury the sovereignty and
dignity of the people Of Ohio, free State, have been
offended Aud this duty they perform the more cordially
frsm the consideration that at time of great national
.mergsncy pregnant with danger to Federal Union,
y ia all important that the friends Of the Constitution
and the Union however they may differ as TO The mode Of
administering the Government, and the measures most
l.v "a be successful in the maintenance Of the Consttu
ton and the restoration of the Union should not be thrown
into conflict with each other.
The arrest unusual trial. aud Punishment Of Mr.. Val
andipham have created widespread and alarming
ton among the people Of the State not only endangerng
the harmony uG the friends oi the Constitution and the
Union and tending TO disturb this peace and tranquility
the State but also nparng that confidence in the fidelity
If your Administration to the great landmarks Of free
Government essential to peaceful and successful enforce
uenl of the laws in Ohio
Yon are reported to have used il public commuuca
tion on this subject, the following language:
II rave me pain when learned thai Mr. Naaudiula
had been arrcsrd-that H. panied that there should
med 10 be- necessity for arreslIn mn aud that IL
WIN afford m. great pleasure to III charge him a.,
can by any believe thu public safety viii not uer
BY it.
The underspued your Exceleucy, from per.
sonn knowledge Of the feelings Of the people Of Ohio that
the public "a ety will be far endangered by confirm
inc Mr. Yallandgham in exile than by releasing him. It
may be true that persons differing from him IN political
views may be found in Ohio, aud elsewhere, who will ex
press different opinion. But they certainly mistaken
~ Ar 4I.D