Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-05-20
THE TRIAL OF vALLAND1aHAM.


concluded, it win not be improper now to
! publish the charges and specifications against
him. The Court having been organized, as
published a few days since, the Judge Advo.
cate read the following -
CHARGE.
Publicly expressing in violation of General
Orders No. SO, from Headquarters, Depart
ment of the Ohio, his sym pathies for those in
arms against the Government of the United
States, declaring disloyal sentiments and opin-
ions, with the object and purpose Of weaken
ing the power of the Government, in its eff.
forts to suppress an unlawful Rebellion.
SPECIFICATION.
| In this, that the said CLEMENT L. VALIAs-
DIGHAM, a citizen of the State of Ohio, on or
about the lst day of May, 1868, at Mount Yer
non, Knox county, Ohio. did publicly address
a large meeting OF citizens and did utter SEN
timents, in words or in effect, as follows, de-
claring the present war sa wicked cruel and
unnecessary war; % s.a war not being waged
for the preservation of the Union; :" ..a war
for the purpose of crushing out liberty and
| erecting despotism )" ga war for the free
dom of the blacks and the enslavement of the
whites;' stating ssthat if the Administration
had SO wished, the~w could have been hon
orably terminated months ago;'' that "peace
might have been honorably obtained by lis
tening to the proposed intermedation of
France - that propositions by which the
Southern States could be won back and the
South be guaranteed their rights under the
Constitution, had been rejected the day before
the late battle at Fredericksburg, by LINCOLN
and his minions;'' meaning thereby the Pres
ident of the United States and those under
him in authority. Charging esthat the Gov
ernment of the United States were about to
appoint Military Marshals in every District to
restrain the people of their liberties, to de-
prive them OF their rights and privileges
Characterizing General Order No. 38, from
Head quarters Department of the Ohio, as ssa
base usurpation Of arbitrary authority invi-
ting his hearers to resist the same by saying,
s'the sooner the people inform the minions of
usurped power that they will not submit to
such restrictions upon their liberties. the bet
ter - declaring 'sthat he was at all times, and
upon all occasions resolved to do what he
could to defeat the attempts now being made
TO build up monarchy upon the ruins of our
free Government asserting 'sthat he firmly
believed, as he said six months ago, that the
men In power are attempting to establish
despotism in this country, more cruel and
more oppressive than ever existed before.''
All of which opinions and sentiments he
well knew did aid, comfort and encourage
those in arms against the Government and
could but induce in his hearers distrust of
their own Government and sympathy for those
in arms against it, and disposition to resist
the laws of the land. j. NJ. CurTs
Captain Eleventh Infantry, Judge Advocate,
Department of the Ohio.
After the evidence had concluded, the follow
ing protest was read by Mr.. VALLANDIGHAM
Arrested without due process of law, with
out warrant from any judicial officer, and now
in military custody, have been served with
charge and specifications as from court
martial or military commi issiop. am not
either in the land nor the naval service of the
United States, and, therefore, am not tryable
for any cause by any such court, but am sub
ject, by the express terms of the Constitution.
to arrest only by due process of law, or war
rant issued by some officer OF court Of com
petent jurisdiction for trial of citizens.
l am subject to indictment and trial on pre-
sentiment of grand jury, and am en- titled to
a speedy trial, to be confronted with witness
in my behalf and am entitled to counsel. All |
these / demand as my right, as citizen of |
the United States, under the Constitution of |
the United States. But the alleged offense |
itself is not known to the Constition, nor to |
any law thereof. 1t is words spoken to the |
people OF Ohio in an open public political NEE
ting. lawfully and peacefully assembled. under |
the Constitution, and upon full notice.
1t is the words of citizen. of the public
policy of the public servants of the people, by /
which policy it was alleged that the welfare
of the country was not promoted. II was an
appeal to the people to change that policy mot
by force, but by the elections and the ballot
box. 1t is not pretended that 1 counseled dis
obedience to the Constitution, or resistance to
law or lawful authority. have never done this.
/ have nothing further to submit.
(Signed) G. L. VALLAsDIGHAM.
May 7th, 1868.
The Judge Advocate simply remarked that
the accused had the privilege of counsel and
Of witnesses. 1t did not become him to enter
into any discussion as to the Jurisdiction of
The Court. That the case had been referred |
10 it was sufficient.
A pre- cocious youth, student in an acade-
ny, not fifty miles from Delhi, not having the
ear of secesh before him, and instigated by