The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-09-16
gortage Go. genlotrat.
RAvEHNA, OHIO.


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VaIEandigIiam's Experfsnce in the
CeHfederacy.-.--Exp posure of his
Observation-Disclosures from General
Garfield.
HEADQUARTERS TEla OF THE DEPARTMENT)
OF THE CUMBERLAND,
WINCHESTER, Tennessee, Aug. 17.>
Hon. HIllians. Deaa,aison, Chairman of the
Union State Convention, Columbus, Ohio
DEAR SIR :-In the Address of G. L. Val
landigham to the Democracy of Ohio, dated
Niagara Falls, July 18th, 1868, the following
passage occurs
i" Travelling thousand miles and more.
through nearly one half of the Confederate
States, and sojourning for time at widely
different points, met not one man, womanor
child, who was not resolved to perish rather
than yield to the pressure of arms even in the
most desperate extremities. And whatever
may and must be the varying fortune of the
war, in which recognize the hand of PRovI-
DENcE pointing visibly to the ultimate issue
of this great trial of the States and People of
America, they are better prepared now every
way to make good their inevitable purpose,
than at any period since the beginning of the
| struggle. These may indeed be unwelcome
truths; but they are addressed to candid and
honest men. Neither, however, let me add.
did meet any one, whatever his opinions or
his station, political or private who did not
declare his readiness, when the war shall have
ceased, and invading armies been Withdrawn,
to consider and discuss the question of re-
union. And who shall doubt the issue of the
argument ?' :
j
The substance of this extract is clearly
this -
First-That the South is unit on the
question of resisting the Federal Government
to the last extremity, and the unanimity is so
great that he saw not one man, woman or
child that dissented.
Second-That the Confederate States are
better prepared than ever before to carry out
their inexorable purpose of rebellion.
Third-That the people of the rebellious
States, with great unanimity, declare their
readiness to discuss terms of re-union, on the
cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of
cur armies.
1t is strange that Mr.. Vallandighsm had the
temerity to make the first of these statements,
when it is notorious that no precinct in this
State, not even in East Tennessee, has SO
large per cent. of Union men as Bedford
county and Shelbyyille, its county scat Mr.
Vallandigham's first resting place after he left
our lines. The village gave three hundred
and fifty Union votes to fifty for secession,
at the beginning of the war, and it has retain
ed its reputation for loyalty untarnished dur
ing the struggle thus far. If Mr. yallandig-
ham had attempted to ascertain the senti-
ments of its citizens, he would havs found
that nine out of every ten were in favor of
immediate submission to the Federal Govern
ment. ~ =.ea3l
T. would be glad to believe it possible that
these facts escaped his notice but having re-
Gently visited Shelbyville, and conversed with
large number of citizens. who saw and con-
versed with Mr.. Vallandigham during his
stay there, am forced to the conviction that
he knew the statement quoted above to be
false s9ia
The second statement is not less wild and
singular than the first. He must have known
that at the time of his visit, and before the
late heavy disasters had fallen upon the re-
bellion, the commercial affairs of the South
were in a most serious condition. Prices cur
rent stand as follows Boots were selling at
from $50 to S75 per pair soldiers brogans at
S45 per pair; common felt hats from $40 to
$50 apiece bacon, $1.5o per pound -four.
SOC per pound corn, $500 per bushel, and
other commodities in proportion. He could
hardly have failed to notice that nearly the
& whole available force of the Confederacy was
already in the field; that barely enough citi-
zens were left at home to oversees the slaves
and manage the plantations; that the Confed-
eracy was shell, which, though made of
iron, when once pierced must collapse into
ruin.
His faith in the strength and military vir-
tue of the Southern Confederacy greatly sur
passes that of a large number of his friends
who are officers and soldiers in the rebel army.
Witness the swarm of deserters who arc
daily leaving their ranks Furthermore, it is
a well known fact that even before Bragg's
expulsion from Middle Tennessee, many of
his officers, including at least two Major Gen.
erals, gave it as their private opinion that the
rebellion could not succeed.
The third statement of Mr. Vallandigham
is only true in so far as his first one is false.
OF course all loyal Southerners are not only
ready to discuss the question of reunion, but
are anxious to return to the Union without
discussion. But when Mr.. Vallandighan
states that the leaders of this rebellion unani-
mously express their willingness to discuss
the question of a return to the Uuion, he
either entirely forgets his conversations with
rebels or recklessly states falsehood.
| In full and frank conversation between
himself and Gov. Harris (rebel Governor of
- Tennessee) the latter. after hearing Mr.. VAL
landighani's statement of his own opinions
and policy, said in the presence of many wit
nesses You totally misunderstood us. We
/ have resolved to listen to 10 terms short OF
e the total separation and absolute independence
: of the South, and we viii accept no boundary
!, south of the line of the Ohio and the Poto.
mac. Negotiation on other basis is utterly
. useless"
$ I hold myself personally responsible tt
Mr.. vallandigham or any of his responsill ]