The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-09-25
General Garfield and the Ohio Dee
~ mOcrAcy.

BRlDoEpoRr, Ala, Sept. 6.--The gentle
men appointed by Governor Tod to distribute
election blanks to the Ohio troops arrived
yesterday. Mr.. Grifiths, who represents the
Vallandigham party, called to-day at General
Rosecrans' headquarters. The Governors
Introductory letter obtained for him respect
full reception and hearing, which would not
otherwise have been accorded to a man of his
sentiments General Garfield chief of staff,
&C., during the day fell into conversation with
him and introduced Ohio politics, when
most animated and interesting scene ensued.
Grifiths is shrewd and well informed on politi-
cal topics, and unusually candid for one of
his party but he found more than match
in Garfield.
During the interview the following CONVEX
sation between the two occurred. Garfield
remarked, in substance, that he understood
the yallandingham party protested to believe
that the Government couldn't succeedin crush
ing the rebellion, and that it was in favor of
Immediately and Internationally stopping the
war; to which Griffiths answered affirmative
ly. i ort
, Garfield. II, contrary to your expectations,
the armies Of the Government should succeed,
Your party would be disappointed, and its
, prospects badly injured. s.
Grifiths. Yes, to some extent. ee a
Garfield Now, in a few days this army
. may be engaged in terrible battle will
: Bragg's whole force. Possibly we may crusi
it. Would not your party be injured by sucl
a RESULT
: Grifiths. Well, you would affect the result
of the election. +
!, Garfield. Obi then, as a party, you dom
G want to see us succeed?
l. Grifiths. Really, we have no interest il
1t the fight.
If Garfield. You are perfectly indifferent
,e then, whether we or Bragg are crushed?
n This Grifiths rather evaded, saying hi
m party had no interest in the issues of tn
" fight, but carefully abstained from sByin
II that his party sympathized with Rosecran
O. in the coming struggle. ss q ha4
IN Somewhat later, Garfield expressed SUI
q prise that a man who had held the publ
he position Of yallandigham should write lie
as ter to the people of Ohio containing three in
is portant statements, which were not only +
fe tally false but which he knew to be les
re For example, he says in the Niagara Fal
en- letter that he met not a single man, woma
he or child in the South who did not expre
he themselves willing and anxious to discuss Il
so subject of a reconstruction of the Union,
mo soon as the Government should withdraw
ted troops. "Now," said Garfield, sternly al
RS, emphatically, q hold myself responsible,
- man and public officer, to the Democrat
rem party of Ohio, to prove that Vallandigha
cd knew that he stated stupendous falsehoo
r a The rebel Governor Harris of Tennessee sa
ned to him, in the presence of many witnesse
ON Mr.. yallandigham, you totally misapprehe
evil u.s. We will accept no terms that do not
cognize the eternal separation of the Sou
from the North. We will listen to no ter
which do not begin with these conditions
=. We will accept no boundary. line south Of
~ 70 Potomac and Ohio"
'hs' General Garfield added that he could G
ien' the names of many responsible citizens
az Shelbyville, Tenn, who heard the CONVEX
afo ton between Vallandigham and Harris.
p' In reply Grif6ths said that Vallandigh
cen was steering as close to wind as he co
iVy when making that statement to secure
a'es political success. 'VallandighGm," he ST
anu has no expectation Of the restOrat,o" Of
Unicn.." es. .rae.
Noy AS may have been expected, much feel
a. was created in the staff at his appearance
NM ~.
d by p,,, Sa,,t % a boat cont