The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1863-07-15
Clement l.. Acknowledgment.

campaign with Clement j.. Vallandig,
ham as their candidate for Governor.
The history of this country shows,
that the best men We have ever had ii
it, are precisely the men who have been
most Yehemently abused and calumni,
atcd. All parties in the country, al
one time or another, have erred in this
way, and been guilty Of the crime OF
rendeavoring to destroy, by fair means
or foul, the very best man in the ma
ton, for the simple reason that he held
political views not accordant with their
own. But all parties alike, when the
hour of excitement and anger was past,
and when they have found time to re-
view their conduct dispasslonately,
have made ample amends for their
wrong doing. Our people: the masses
of all parties: desire to be just; and
when convinced that they have done
wrong, are prompt to make reparation.
They will, we are absolutely certain,
vet confess and atone for the wrongs
which have been done to Mr.. Vallan-
digham. For America has never pro-
duced a purer patriot, or more devo-
ted, fearless, single. hearted defender
of the Constitution.
49,. We said that all parties have been
guilty of this wrong-dcing. The
Wings assailed General jackson with
q bitterness which was attested by Mr..
Brough, in his Marietta speech, when
he said she remembered the time when
it was considered a crime in Washing
ton county" 10 be one of his support
ers. He was stigmatized in the"CoF-
fin Hand Bills that John A. Bing-
han circulated, as a wanton, cruel
murderer; and it was the received
opinion of the party, opposed to him,
that "War, Pestilence and Famine "
were to be preferred to his election.
The Democrats assailed Mr.. Clay
with as much maHgnancy. He was
charged with Bargain and Sale,
by which it was alleged that Adams
was made President, and he Secretary
of State. 1t was ayerred that he was
the instigator Of the murder Of Ciltey,
who fell in a duel with Graves. 1t
was said that he was a prohigate in
private, and a scoundrel in public life.
1t is but few years since the coun-
try blAzed with the burning elIigles of
Stephen A. Douglas, whom the Re
publicans eXecrated as the embodi-
ment of political villainy and personal
Neutrality-suspicious. a political rascal,
and drunken blackguard.
But these SANDERS have all perish>
ed, and sunk into the "mass of stale
and loathed calumnies." The whole
people, without respect to party, do
honor alike to Jackson, Clay and
Douglas. Indeed, Republicans, who
so late as the campaign OF 1860, pro
nounced Mr.. Douglas vile and un>
principled trickster, debauchcd alike
in politics and morals, claim now (af-
tea the lapse of only three years. to
be better Douglas men than we, who
defended him against their atroclous
lies. ..
This clamor against Mr.. Vallandig-
ham, as against Jackson, Clay and
Douglas, is the work--not Of the peo-
ple-but of politicians. Mr.. Fallan-
digham is selected as the victim, just
as jackson, Clay and Douglas were,
because from his great mental capa-
bilitics, his heroic courage, his consist
ent, fearless, persevering devotion to
principle, he is regarded as the most
Formidable, and to the politicians Of
the opposite party, the most dangerous
man in the Democratic organization.
That is the whole of it.
The Democracy of Ohio 50 before
an intelligent, honest, well-meaning
people, and ask to be heard in vindi-
cation of this outraged, illuminated,
exiled man, who by a despotic act Of
arbitrary, lawless force, is made pow>
erless to say even one word in his own
behalf. viii a generous, magnani-
NOUS people, refuse to listen to such a
vindication? They cannot refuse with
out ceasing to be magnanimous, or
even just.
If an individual in community is
charged with the commission of crime,
there is no man so unjust as to demand
his conviction on the EX PARTE, one
sided testimony Of his foes. All would
say such conviction would be vio-
lation of all right, and an outrage up
on Justice. You would say, Z" Give
aim trial, by an impartial, unpreju-
diced jury; allow him to call his wit
nesses, and let them be heard in his
behalf" 5sa
Now this right--which you would
.concede, nay, DEMAND--for the mean
est felon that ever was accused Of
crime, is all that we ask for Mr.. Val
landigham. We demand a hearing
before the people of Ohio; and if he
is convicted, we shall be prompt to
say: ssAway with him; let him be
punished But if he is vindicated,
rs he will be, then in the name Of all
that is honorable in the American
character, we ask that ne shall 80 ac-
quit, without the taint of guilt upon
his fair name.
Clement L. Vallandigham is now
forty-three years old. He is native
of Ohio; and has, with the exception
af his college life. and wear or two