Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-09-25

official visit OF q valfandighamer 20
the Army OF the Cumberland.
HE Conversation oith General Garfsld-zns
Dgeaf Of oar Army Conceded 10 Be- Important
20 Hc Success Of ne Democratic zSckef- Hdl-
ia,,dighdm's Falsshoods E1poscd
Especial Correspondence Of the Cincinnati Gazotte.1
BRIDeEPoRT, Ala, September 6.
The gentlemen appointed by Governor Tod to
distribute election blanks 10 the Ohio troops,
arrived yesterday. MIR. GrAiths, who repre-.
scnts the Vallandigham party, called to-day at
General Rosecrans' headquarters. The Cover.
nor's introductory letter obtained for him a res
Pectiul reception and hearing, which would not
otherwise have been accorded to a man Of his
sentiments. Gen. Garfield, Chief Of staff,
during the day fell into conversation with him
and introduced Ohio politics, when a most ani-
mated and interesting scene ensued. Griffiths
Is shrewd and well Informed on political topics,
and unusually candid for one of his party, but
he found more than match in Garfield.
During the interview the following conversa-
ton between the two occurred. Garfield re-
marked in substance that he understood the
Vallandgham party professed to believe that
the Government couldn't succeed in crushing
the rebellion, and it was in favor Of immediate-
y, Internationally stopping the war TO which
Griffiths answered affirmatively.
Garheld-If contrary to your expectations,
the armies Of the Government should succeed,
your party would be disappointed and its pros
poets badly injured.
Griffitbs-Yes, to some extent.
Garffed-Now, in few days this army may
be engaged in q terrible battle with Bragg's
whole force. Possibly we may crush it. Would
not your party be injured by such a resultH
| Griffiths-Well, you would affect the result
Of the election.
Gar6eld--Ohl then, as a party you don't
vi Tn naanu no nj
Grifiths-- Really we have no interest in the
fight.
Garfeld-You are perfectly Indifferent then
whether we or Bragg are crushed2
This Griffiths rather evaded, saying his party
had no interest in the issues of the fight, but
carefully abstained from saying that his party
sympathized with Rosecrans in the present
coming struggle.
Somewhat later Garfield expressed surprise
that a man who had held the public position OF
Vallandigham should write letter to the peo-
pie of Ohio containing three important state
ments, which were not only totally false, but
which he knew to be lies. For example, he
says in the Niagara Falls letter that he met not
single man, woman or child in the South, who
did not express themselves willing and anxious
to discuss the subject of a reconstruction Of the
Union soon as the Government should with.
draw its troops. Now" said Garfield, sternly
and empbatically" / hold myself responsible
| as man and public officer, to the Democratic
party of Ohio, to prove that Vallandigham knew
that he stated stupendous falsehood. The
rebel Governor Harris, of Tennessee, said to him
in the presence of many Witnesses: Mr..
Vallandigham, you totally misapprehend us
We will accept no terms that do not recognize
the eternal separation of the South from the
North. We will listen to no terms which dc
not begin with these conditions. We will ac.
cept no boundary line south of the Potomac and
Ohio"
General Garfield added that he could give
the names of many responsible citizens of Shell.
byville, Tennessee, who heard the conversation
between Vallandigham and Harris.
In reply Griffiths said that Vallandigham
was steering as close to the wind as he could
when making that statement, to secure his po-
litical success. "VaNandighdn," he said has
no expectation Of The restoration Of tie Ji,ion
As may have been expected much feeling was
created in the staff at his appearance.
SHRAPNELL.