Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-10-13
MORE lIONsTROus TREASON.
VI'InndiGham's Own Evidence of his
Traitor sympnIhles.

Is there any possible limit to the treason
OF C. L. Vallsndigham2 Certainly none has
yet appeared, but each day has added some
new evidence to the great mass which had
already convicted him. How it is possible
for any man who has particle of either
manhood or patriotism, to cast ballot to-
day for the wretch--it is hard to conceive.
Why, the very letters of the man himself,
would, in any other country in the world,
have cost him his head before this. And
now there comes the most open, the most
convincing of ALA letter that should
place the brand of eternal ignominy upon
any man who to-day dares to speak or
vote for the author of it. 1t is so deep in
national infamy, so trsitorous in its every
sentiment, that a whole life time Of re-
pentance would not suffice to wipe away
the crime Of having once uttered it. The
names of Benedict Arnold and Aaron Burr
have hitherto been the embodiment of all
that is despicable and dishonOrable in
American history, but henceforth war they
must take secondary peace behind the
bld eminence of Clement L. Vallandig-
ham.
These are strong expressions, but are
not uDcalled for, as we will show to our
readers. The following letters explain
themselves. That of Vallandigham was
written, to rebel Colonel in
arms against the Government. 1t was
written-not before the war begun, not
when the South was clamoring for her
"rights," but last spring, while Vallan-
digham was travelling through the South;
on his way from ,,Bragg's headquarters to
Canada. In this he distinctly says that
he is the (" fisad of the South " that he
"hates, despises and defes the Federal
Government; that he hopes and prGys for
the triumph Of the rebel cause, and that the
victory will belong 10 the rebels if they
will but "strike home and gain battle
upon Northern soil. Is there in all histo-
ry, baser or more fearful record than this
man here makes for himself
Here are the letters. They are their own
best interpreter. We only ask that they
be read carefully and searchingly, and,
this being done, let the reader, by all his
regard for his country, and by all his
hopes for peaceful land, vote and 1vOrk
for the triumph of the Union cause:
THE LETTER OF JAMES FLIEN WEST.
CAMP NEAR BATTLE CREEK, TENN,
September 20, 1868. !
Deer Bro. Ton: II write you again,
sooner than anticipated when last wrote
you. While out on reconnaissance yes
terday, we captured the baggage and pri-
vste papers Of Colonel D. D. Inshall, o. the
Eighth Alabama, (rebel) regiment. The
following interesting and delectable letter,
written by C. L. Vallandigham, while here,
was found among his papers. 1 send you
8 copy of it, so that you may know where
the man stands, and be governed accord
ingly, as from the tenor of your last letter
1 was led to believe that you were inclined
to favor his election as Governor of Ohio.
But when you come to understand his
damnable treason, l hope for the sake of
the good name of our family, and the
cause of our country, you will withhold
your vote from so bad man. The origi-
nal letter will be sent to headquarters for
"ROsey's" inspection, after which it will
be sent to the Cincinnati Commercial for
publication.
Give my love TO all, and write soon.
l am we'll.
Your brother
JAMES FLINN WEST,
Co. a, 18th o. V. I.