The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1863-07-23
vALLANDIGHAM's ADDRESS.
NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA WEsr.)
July 10, 1865.


To the Democracy of Ohio:
Arrested and confined for three weeks
in the United States, prisoner Of state;
bsnishcd thence to the Confederate States,
and there held as an alien enemy and pris-
onsr OF war, though on a'oIe, fairly and
hono rably del; with and given leave to de-
psrt,-an act possible only by running
the blockade at the hazard Of being fred
on by ships flying the flag Of my own
country,-I foand myself first a freeman
when on British soil. And to day, under
protection of the British flag, am mere
to enjoy, and in Part to Exercise, the priv
ieges and rights which usurpers insolent-
ly deny me at home The shallow con
trivance OF the weak despots at Washing
ton and their advisers. has been defeated.
Nay. it has been turned against them. and
|, who for two years was malgned as in
secret league with the Confedera,es. hav-
ing refused when in their midst. under
circumstances the most favorable, either
to identify myself with their cause or even
so much as TO remain, preferring rather
exile in foreign land, reiurn now with
allegiance to my own State and govern
ment. unb.oke in word, thought or deed,
and with every declaration and pledge TO
you while At home. and before | was sto-
len away, made good in spirit and the very
letter
Six weeks ago, when just going into
Punishment, because An audacious but
most cowardly despotism compelled it. |
addressed you as fellow citizen. To-day,
and from the very place then selected by
me, but after wearisome and most perilous
]ourreyings for more Than four thousand
miles by land and upon the sea-stll in
exile, though almost in sight Of II ma
tive State greet you rs your represent
tative. Grateful certainly ! am for the
confidence in my integrity and patriotism
implied by the unanimous nomination AS
candidate for Governor Of Ohio which YOU
gave me while | was yet in the Confeder-
ate States. 1t was not misplaced; it shall
never be abused. But this is the least of
all considerations in times like these.
ask no personal sympathy for the per
sona wrong. No, il is ths cause OF con.
slitutional liberty and private right cruelty
outraged beyond example in free ooun-
try, by the President and his servants,
which gives public signl6cancy to tho &C
ton OF your convention. Yours was in
deed an act of justice to citizen who for
his devotion to the rights Of the States and
the Liberties ofthe people, had been -nsrke d
for destruction by the hand OF arbitrary
power. But it WAS much more. 1t WAS
an act OF courage worthy OF the heroic
ages of the world; and it was spectacle
and rebuke to the usurping tyrants who,
having broken up the Union, would now
strike down the constitution, subvert your
present government, and establish for
NAL aud proclaimed despotism in its stead.
You are the RE,ToRERs AND DEFENDERS
OF CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTY. and by that
proud title history will salute you.
congratulate You upon your nomina-
tions. They whom you have placed upon
the ticket with me are gentlemen of char
acler, integrity, ability, and of tried fideli-
~ to the constitution, the Uuion, and lib
srt- Their moral snI political courage