Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-06-17
9be Obio 9ta'tes:,',',rpa,,rr M II
SPEECIIEs OF
EX-GOVERNOR MEDILL
AND
GEORGE E. PUGH,
sPEEoH OF EX-GOVERNOR mrDrLL.
Before the Democratic State Convention.

as President Of the Democratic State Conven
tion of June llth, 1863, spoke as follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION: am pro
foundly impressed with sense OF gratitude fol
what I consider the greatest honor ever be-
slowed upon me, by choosing me to preside ovel
such an asaemblage as this; and / know that
the Convention will believe me when I say
that IL was unexpected, as have not even the
honor of being one Of the regular delegates tc
the Convention-and only q few minutes ago
/ was made acquainted with the fact that The
committee had selected me as President. Il II
true that l have received many honors from
YOU, my fellow citizens, of which am proud
| and the memory Of which may never forget
| Il Ia true that | was once elevated by youI
choice to the Executive and Gubernatorial chair
| of this great State of Ohio--but this unexpect-
ed honor and renewed assurance of your par
tiality and confidence, affords me more pleasure
than that did. Atthat time, my .cltizsns
under the beleficent sway OF that grea. old
party which had controlled the destinies of this
country for more than half o century, the Union
was In the zenith of its gloEy and strength, and
presented to tho world indisputabe proof that
we were capable of self. f.goVernmens, and ite
flag inspired respect in every land and in every
CLINE; whereas We have now nothing but rivers
DlUUu huu u DGuIum VI uisCUIu' lOUtbIb. 81
From tho defeat OF the Democracy in 1860,
when all factions united to do 1t, arose the pros.
tra.ion OF our osperity, the destruction of our
happiness and the disgrace of our flag; and 1t
is only by the restoration of the Democracy to
power that what we have lost will return to US.
We have assembled here to. day in the exer-
else of that greatest right first guaranteed by
the Constitution, to select candidates for the
various State offices, and to put into the field q
ticket representing the sentiments of the De-
mociacy of Ohio. Public sentiment has already
indicated, In an unmistakable manner, the
standard bearer In tho ensuing campaign
Clement l.. Vallandigham. (Immense and pro-
longed cheering) 1t 10 the practice Of despotic
power to in.imidate tho people and to take ad-
vantage OF their coWardice, but If ] correctly
read the sentiment expressed on the faces that
surround me, the powers that be are not capable
of doing that with US. II Ia our business 20 re-
instate the Constitution and the Laws every
where, and 10 restore cur own State to that
honored position from which she has been forced
by the disgraceful cowardice and eubserviency
OF her rulers. (Cheers.) Wemust place Ohio
on the came platform with the empire State OF
the Union. (Tbree times three cheers for New
York; Clement l.. Vallandighsm, a citizen of
your State and your fellow Democrat, has been
forcibly torn from your midst without trial and
without law, and cruelty exiled from his native
land, and you are here to protest ggainst that
outrage, and you alone can bring him back.
(Cries of 1--WE will" )" 1--WE must" 1--WE will do
it or de-" etc.) Yes, know you have the will,
and believe you have the nerve to do il. II
they are not deaf, your recreant rulers will be
varied By this tremendous denomination, that
the people are no longer to be trifed with 10
their dearest rights and most sacred privileges;
and the powers who have aroused you will quake
And tremble before this mighty and terrific as-
sembly of the freemen Of Ohio, and recede
from their despotic course as they did in Chica-
20 the other day. (Cheers.) Gentlemen,
ogsin thank you for the honor conferred upon
me, and here eolemnly pledge myself to la
bor for the nominations you may make to-day
until the sun sets upon victory won on the
second Tuesday of October next. (The Presl-
dent took his seat amid storm oil deatening
cheefs.)
ePEECH OF HON. GEORGE PUGH.
Immediately after the nomination of Mr..
VALLANDIaHAM by the Democratic State Con.
vent!on Of June llth, 1863, and after order and
quiet had In some measure been restored, ex'
Senator GEORGE E. PUGH, the able and distin-
guiehed counsel for Mr.. ", In the late pre-
tended trial of that gentleman, was called upon
to respond for the illustrious exile. In obedi-
ence to this call, Mr.. PUeH delivered the fol
lowing bold, manly, eloquent, and powerful
speech:
y FELLOW CITIZENS: For come time before his
final bsnishment discharged the duty of at
torney and counselor for the gentleman you
have justr 30 unanimously nominated as your
candidateffor Governor of Ohio. have not
entirely agreed with Vallandigham in regard TO
ell questions of policy and expedieDcy 10 refer.
ence to the war. | have not with him seen IL
possible to decide upon any terms of peace, by
which the questions could be settled; but am
satisfied that the question of war or of peace 10
the highest problem Of statesmanship; but
cannot, and you cannot decide upon the issue
raised without absolute liberty of speech and
freedom of discussion-not only Rs politicians,
but as citizens. His injuries are my injuries;
his rights are my rights; the outrage upon him
is an outrage upon me. / implore You all to
regard II SO. (Cries OF "We do.") They
have forced Clement L. VallAndgham into exile
into the Confederate States, and / exhort you
to make the cause OF that brave, heroic, honest
and prosecuted man your cause. In the many
anxious hours, both day and night, when it was
my duty to be with Vallandigham and consult
his welfare, ! never cav his cheek blsnch or
his eye quail; never knew him to swerve for
o moment from the fundamental principles of
the Government, the right of every Citizen to
express hls opinions, without fear Of military
dictation or military law, upon war or peace.
(CheeFs) 1e ~ En vts, 7g
Tho question of prosecuting the war or con-
cludiDg peace, cannot be intelligently decided
BY free people until they hear both sides l
am not prepared to decide. (Cries of "Peace,"
"Peace.D I say You cannot decide; any idea
of discussing such questions under Burnalde's
order 36, is sham and mockery. | do not
know the character of the resolutions to be
brought before the Convention, but IL my ad-
vice is taken they will be short and simple, and
to this effect: That the question of prosecuting
tho war or concluding peace cannot be decided
until we have achieved our own liberties. The
question of the right of the people to discuss
their own affairs is Of paramount importance. II
Mr.. Vsllandigham can convince me that the
Confederate States will accept honorable prop,
ositions OF peace, as claimed by him, will 80
with him heart and hand; but until hear his
argumenta and statement Of facts ! am unable
to pronounce judgment. And, therefore, when
any military man, whether President or corpo-
tral, declares that he shall not tell what he
knows Of the question, and express what he
thinks for the best interests of the Republic, "A
ID q farce and O sham to talk Of free govern
ment. The Democratic party ie not reeponsi
hla IN, khasa ~ pnv dlvtaona and thta diaas.