Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-10-08
IMPORTANT LETTER FROM GEN.
sT7rf tsdsT GARFIELD. 70
vALLAKDIeHAM CONVICTED OF FALSE
, HcoD-HIs CONVERSATION WITH TIE
REBEL GoFEREoR HARRIS.

s HcoD-HIs CONVERSATION WITH TH
REBEL GoEEBEoR HARRIs. fb
Hon. Nm. Dennison, Chairman Unioi
Central Committee, Columbus, Ohio
DEAR S1R:-Iu the address of G. L
Vallandigbam, to the Democracy o
Ohio dated Niagara Falls, July 15
$685." the following paragraph oc
ours: a a-sr
p .rTraveling a thousand miles and
more through nearly one-half the Con-
federate States, and sojourning for g
time, at widely different points. I met
not one man, woman or child, who
was not resolved to perish rather than
to yield to the pressure Of arms, even
in the most desperate extremity. And
whatever may be the varying fortune
of the war, in which l recognize the
hand of Providence 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 inexorable purpose,
than at any period since the beginning
of the struggle.
"These may, indeed, be unwelcome
truths. but they are addressed to can
did and honest men. Neither, how
ever. let me add, did l 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 with
drawn, to consider and discuss the
question of reunion. And who shall
doubt the issue of the argument?"
The substance of the extract is
clearly this:
Ist. That the South is a 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 who dis
sented.
Cd. That the Confederate States
are better prepared than ever before to
carry out their inexorable purpose of
rebellion.
Sd. That The people of the rebel
lious States, with great unanimity. de-
clare their readiness TO discuss terms Of
reunion, on the cessation of hostili-
ties and the withdrawal of our ar
mics.
1t is strange that Mr.. Valandigham
had the temerity to make the first Of
these statements, when it is notorious
that no precinct in the State, not even
in East Tennessee, has so large a per
cent. of Union men as Bedford County,
and Sbelbyville, its county seat, Mr..
Vallandigham's FIRST resting place alter
he left our lines. That village gave
three hundred and fifty Union votes to
fifty for secession, at the beginning Of
the war, and it has retained its reputa-
tion for loyalty untarnished thus far
II Mr.. Valandigham had attempted to
ascertain the sentiments of its citizens
he would have found that nine out Of
every ten were in favor Of immediate
submission to the Federal Govern
ment.
would be glad TO believe itpossible
that these facts escaped his notice, but
having recently visited Shelbyville,
and conversed with large number OF
citizens, vino saw aud conversed with
Mr.. Vallandigham during bis stay
there, | am forced to the conviction
that he knew the statement quoted
above to be false.
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 dis
asters bad fallen upon the rebellion.
The commercial affairs of the South
were in a most ruinous condition.
Prices current stood as follows:-
Boots were selling from sixty to seven
five dollars per pair; soldiers brogans
at forty Eve dollars per pair; common
felt hats from forty to fifty dollars
apiece; bacon 81 80 per pound; -four
5Oc per pound; corn SS 90 per bushel,
and other commodities in proportion
He could hardly have failed to notice
that nearly the whole available force of
the Conlederacy was shell, which
though made of iron, when once
pierced must collapse into ruins.
His faith in the strength and military
virtue of the Southern Confederacy
greatly surpasses that Of large num-
Der Of bis friends, who are officers and
soldiers in the rebel army. Witness
the swarm of deserters who are daily
leaving their ranks. Furthermore, it
is a well known fact that even before
Bragg's expulsion from Middle Ten
nessee, many of his officers, including
at least two Major Generals. gave it as
their private opinion that the rebellion
could not succeed.
The third statement Of Mr.. Vallan-
digbam is only true SO far as his first
one is false. or course all loyal South
erners are not only ready TO discuss
the question of reunion, but are
anxious to return to the Union without
discussion. But when Mr.. Vallandig-
ham states that the leaders of this re-
bellIon unanimously express their will
ineness to discuss the question Of a re-
turn to the Union, be either entirely
forqets his conversation with rebels, or
recklessly states falsehood.
In full and frank conversation be-
tween himself and Governor Harris,
frebel Governor of Tennessee, )the lat
ter, after hearing Mr.. Yallandighsm's