Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-07-15
The President and the Ohio Com
miLU66.

Next to the surrender of Vicksburg
and the repulse of Lee, the letter OF the
President to the Committee of nineteen,
from Ohio, is the best thing out.
The nineteen appeared before Mr.. Lin
coin, in the name of the Vallandigham
party of Ohio, demanded the release of
their traitor candidate for Governor, ap-
p~arently convinced that their august
presence would be sufficient TO enforce
obedience to their behest. But strange
as it may seem, Mr.. Lincoln was not at all
embarrassed, and politely requested them
to make known the object of their visit
in writing, as it would be so convenient
for future reference. An elaborate arti-
Gle is produced, whether from the pen of
the chairman, or from the concentrated
energies of the nineteen, we do not
know, and when presented, the Presi-
dent coolly informs them he will examine
it and reply at his leisure. There was no
help for it, much as it affected their dig
nifty, and they had to wait for a reply
In due time the letter of Mr.. Lincoln
was forthcoming, and if on perusing it,
the illustrious nineteen did not feel that
they had been sent on afooPs errand, self
conceit must be a prominent characters
tic of the whole number.
The President submits three simple
propositions, an endorsement of which
by the Committee would insure Vallan-
digham's release. The letter entire will
be found on the outside of this paper,
but we re-insert the three propositions, as
follows:
J.. That there is now a rebellion in the
United States, the object and tendency
of which is to destroy the National Union;
and that, in your opinion, an army and
navy are constitutional means for sup
pressing the rebellion.
2. That no one of you will do anything
which, in his W judgement, will tend
TO hinder the increase or favor the de-
crease or lessen the efficiency of the army
or navy, while engaged in the effort to
suppress that rebellion: and,
8. That each of you will, in his sphere,
do all he can to have the officers, soldiers
and seamen of the army and navy, while
engaged in the effort to suppress the re-
bellion, paid, fed, clad, and otherwise
well provided and supported.
Is there anything in the above which
an honest. loyal man should hesitate to
endorse? The President asks them to
make no pledge for Vallandigham, but
tells them them that if they will signify
their assent to the propositions, Vallan-
digham shall be released. But they
wouldn't do it. They fall back on their
dignity, and say ''they have not been
authorized to enter into any bargains,
terms, contracts or conditions with the
President of the United States, to pro-
cure the release of Mr.. Vallandigham."-l
Such a plea would shame the veriest pet
tifogger that ever appeared before a JUS
tice of the Peace. What conditions were
save such as were at their own
option ? Their indiUiduaL endorsement
was all that was necessary. and surely
the nineteen elect would not have it in
that their free agency was absorb
ed in the Convention which appointed
them, and that they dare not exercise
the right to express their individual
opinions.
The conviction is forced upon us that
plain and simple as are the propositions,
they did not meet ,the approval of the
and their refusal to endorse
them, will cause their names 10 be hand
ed down to posterity among those who
withheld their support and sympathy
from their government in its hour of tri-
al and danger.
So let it be. They are welcome to all
he celebrity attaching to their course.