The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1863-05-20
From the Cincinnati Gazette.
The Court Martial of Clement
L. Vallandigham.
ORGANIZATION OF COURT.
rhe Charge and Specification,
Testimony of Both Sides and Protest
of Mr.. Vallandigham.
FULL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS
FIRST DAY.

WEDNESDAY, May 6, 1853.
The Commission convened at 10 o'cloC
A. NJ.
The Judge Advocate read the Gener
Order from he Headquarters of the Depar
men! Of the Ohio, appointing the followir
officers a Commission to try all parti
brought before it, and Mr.. Valland ghaI
was asked whether he had any objections t.
offer TO any member OF the Court.
The following officers composed the cour
Brigadier General r. B Potter, Presidcn
Captain j. M. Cults, Judge Advocate.
Colonel j. F. DeCourcy, 18th o. V. l.
Lieut. Col. f R. Goodrich, Com. Sub.
Major Van Buren, A. ID. G.
Major Brown, 10Th Kentucky Cavalry.
Major Fitch, 1l5th o. V. l.
Captain Lydg, A. D. G.
MIR. Vallandigham said he was not acquain
ted with any of the members OF the Court
and had no objections to offer to them indi
Vidualiy, but he protested that the Commis
sion had no authority to try him, he beini
neither in the land or naval force of th
United States or in the militia in the actua
service of the United States, and was MOI
therefore triable by such a Court, but was
amenable only to the Judicial Courts OF the
land.
The members OF the Court were then
sworn to try his case impartially.
The Judge Advocate then read the follow
ing charge and specitca ton:
CHARGE.
Publicly expressing, in violation OF Gener-
al Orders No. 49, from Headquarters, De
psrtment OF the [ hio, his sympathes with
those in arms against the Government OF
the United States, claring disloyal senti
ments and opinions, with the object and pur
pose of weakening the power OF the Govern
Dent in its etferts to suppress an unlawful
rebellion.
sPEcIFICATInN.
In this, that the said Clement Valland-
igham, citizen OF the State OF Ohio, on or
about the 1st day of May, 1868, at Mount
Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, did publicly
address large meeting of citizens, and did
utter sentiments, ine words or in effect, as
follows; debating the present war "a wicked,
cruel and unnecessary war;" "a war not be.
ing waged for the preservation Of the Unior;"
"a war Tor the purpose of crushing out lib
srty and erecting despoti, M "a war for
ths freedom Of the blacks and the enslaving
OF the whitas;' Stating that if the Ad
ministration had so wished, the war could
have been honorably terminated months
ago." that "peace might have been honora~
bly, obtained by listening to the proposed in
termediaton Of France" that propositions
by which tie Southern States could be won
bick and the South be guaranteed their
rights under the Constitution, had been re-
jected the day before the late battle OF Fred
ericksburg, by Lincoln and his minons,"
meaning thereby the President of the Uni
ted States and those under him in authority.
Charging "that the Government OF the Uni
ted States were about to appoint Military
Marshals in every District to restrain the
people Of their liberties, TO deprive them Of
their rights and privileges" Characterizing
General Order No. 38, from Headquarters
Department of the Ohio, as "a base u>urpa
ton OF OF arbitrary authority" inviting his
hearers to resist the same by saying 'the
sooner the people inform the minions Of
usurped power that they will not submit TO
such restrictions upon their liberties, the
better" declaring "that he was at all times,
and upon all occasions resolved to do what
he could to defeat the attempts now being
made 10 build up a monarchy upon the ruins
OF our free Government" asserting "lhat
he firmly believed, as he said six months ago
that the men in power are attempting to es
tablish a despotism in this country, more
cruel and more oppressive than ever existed
before"
Ali of which opinions and sentiments he
we'll knew did aid, comfort and encourage
those 10 arms against the Government and
could but induce in his hearers dis.rusu OF
their own Government and sympathy for
those in arms aga nst it, and disposition to
resist the laws Of the land.
J. N. QUITS.
Captain 11th infantry, judge Advocate,
Department of the Ohio
Mr.. Valandgham was asked by the Judge
Ad 1ocaie what his plea was.
Mr.. Yallandignam refused to plead, and
asked time to consult his counsel and or
process to compel The attendance Of Fernan
do Wood, Of New York City, who should he
required to bring with him the letter which
he received from Richmond IN relation to
terms offered tor the return OF Southern Sen
ators to their seats in Congress, with the
letter Of the President declining to entertain
the proposition.
Mr., Vallandigham continuing to refuse to
plead to the charge, the President directed
that the plea of mot gnilty" be entered on
the record. .a.., t....
The Court then gave Mr. Vallandigham
dime to consult his counsel, and Tor that pur.
pose ordered recess to half past one O'clock,
The Court was then cleared Tor dchbera
tioo, as to whether the delay asked for by
Mr.. Va!landighsm should be granted, and
remained clo,,d until near noon.
The Court again met pursuant to adjourn
Snent, and tbs doors were opened
The Preslent asked Mr., Vallandigham
whether he desired TO appear with counsel
-1 MIR. patshdIgham said be did not. His
counsel. George E. Pugh George II. Pendle
con and Alexander Ferguson remained in
the adj9ining room. y, ,,r
T. The Judge Advocate announced that the
case would be proceeded with and called the
first witness for the prosecution.
I'd. Captain 4. q. Hill Of the 1l5th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, was sworn.
Question by, Judge Advocate. Were you
present alta meeting OF citizens at Mount
z Vernon on May !, 1868?
Ans, was.
" Ques Did you hear accused address that
/, meeting?
Ans did.
Cues. What position did you occupy at
that meeting, and were you near eueugh TO
hear al he ssid2
0 Ans. ! was leaning against the end OF the
platform on which he was speaking. Was
about six feet from him remained in this
position during the whole time hs was speak
ing. i,io ..4 tas ~ 1870.
be made in relation to the war; what he
SAID in relation TO the President of the Uni-
ted States and The orders Of military COM
manders. .S.N4 sS4FA
Witness. In order ths. ! may bring in