, 1864-06-17
Nbtfa9o Qribnne.
FRIDAY, JUNE II, 1854.
FHERETUHN OF yALLANDlGHAM

AAC fo!uuSa1} EcLuFu u dAHuuIE uh1u IEH~
de1s 1t necessary to consider his present po-
eitioa In reference to the Government Of the
United States and what course 1t Is the right
and duty OF the latter to pursue At first
blush It wears the appearance OF denance
Of the authority OF the Government and the
law. If it be so, we hope the Government
win parform Its duty, and If It has determined
not to quail before eight millions of South
eru rebels, let 1t not permit itself to be de-
fed by one Northern one Vallandigham
wss convicted on Nay 18th, 1868, before
Court held under the authority Of the, Uni
ted States, and the legality OF which was
sanctioned by the decision Of the District
Court Of the United States, OF an offanse,
for which said Court sentenced him to beim-
prisoued in Fort Warren during the
war. This sentence was duly confirm
cd by the commanding General of the mil
its1y department in which the trial was had,
and II we are rightly, informed, has never
been reversed, commnted or changed, bat
still rests suspended over his hesd, and un-
executed. The -Preaident chose to suspend
the execution OF the sentence upon condi-
ton that Vallandighan, upon being taken to
the lines Of the rebels, with whom he SO
much sympathieed, should remain outside
our military lines for the period Of the SEN
tence. Upon referring to our files, we find
that Rosecsans then and there informed him
that, t4should he arrange to return within
our lines, the Presidents orders to carry the
original sentence into effect, would be exc
cuted." Legally, therefore, II these are the
facts, Val1andighRm Is as clearly subject to
the sentence Of the court martial as he was
at the time It was passed, or as Is any es-
capcd convict to serve out the term Of his
imprisonment. True, Vallaudigham thinks
his conviction Illegal. So does every crimi-
nal. For,
.'Thtef meier felt the halter draw,
With good opinion Of the law"
Rut IN this respect the authorities and
courts Of the United 6tates Disagree with
him Since his conviction, has any reason
arisen for not enforcing the sentence by
arrcsting him and contining him in Fort
Warren, now that he has violated the condt-
lion upon which the sentence was held sus-
pendedy True be has suffered part ot the
penalty since bis Punishment. But is he,
the criminal, to Judge whether he has sufl-
ciently cxpiated his crimes Does 1t rest with
him 10 grant his own pardons Are any Of
the circumstances changed which rendered
his banlshment proper or necessary Has
be given any intimations Of penitence, of
change, or Of disposition to respect the
authority in future Of that government
whose legally constituted authorities he has
dcfed in the psats Is his return with words
Of defiance on hfs lts aud daring the govern
1ncut to execute the sentence Of its courts,
an intimation that he is less traitor now
han Avn $-a NJ xrov n
fierce and dangerous rebellion, which 1t is
treason to aid. and to which Val1andighnm's
very return is a triumph? Are the elements
of disloyaIty On which he intends to work
any less Dangerous now than theus
There can be but one answer to all these
questions, and that could best be expressed
by the prompt arrest Of Vallandigham and
his committal to Fort Warren, pursuant to
the sentence which stands suspended over
him. In the nzme Of the loyal millions
of the North, we demand that this be done
Delay Ill be regarded not as modern
tiou but as weakness. 4 failure to do 10
will be credited on every hand to cowardlce
not to charity, Il, as we suppose. this re-
turn has been concerted with the de termina.
tion to resist the authority Of the govern
ment, there is no time so proper rs the pres
cnt to test the question: Are the people,
through their regularly constituted officers,
to rule tue country, OF is tactious minority
Of copperheads, in league with the rebels, to
clalm by virtue Of their desperate reckless
mesa that power which they cannot command
by their votes? IL Abraham Lincoln Presi-
dent or Is Clement l. Val1andigham?
These are our views upon the facts as
they appear to Us. It may be, however, that
the administration is In possession Of facts,
Of which We are not aware, which may rem
der 1t possible for them to hold back THERON
hand Of the law from this miscreant who is
in pursuit Of martyrdom under difacu ulties,
II so, his presence wlllat least hare thes sal
utasy effect Of dividing the sheep from the
goats in the democratic party, into which
he has dropped like O fire brand intoa maya
zinc.