The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-08-07
occasion, the person diseased was Mr. Yalandlgham

occasion, the person diseased was Mr.. Yalandgham
Himself.
Mr. acknowledgements personal friends in Ohio very
well aware what my ittclinatons and feelings towards
him have always been. During the progress OF his
trial. when in private conversation, one OF them or
himself remarked to me that held strange position
relative of Stephen A. Douglas, and the Judge
advocate of that commission, my reply was: al
landigham had Mr.. Douglas lived, you would never
have dared to purSue the course yet have pursued
obey orders. My opinions are OF NO importance,
were it proper for me to express them Ii theS
ever have any value, che time will conse Wnen
YOU will know thes1a." I made frequently similar
reply to other Democrats daring the time performed
the duties of Judge Advocate of the Department OF
the Ohio, and allowed myself while held the
position OF staff officer to violate the trust and con-
fdence imposed by that relation to my commanding
General by expressing or even indicating to persons
either in or out of the army the difference OF opinion
existing between u.s. Whether Burnside himself pur-
sued an equally honorable and sodierly course to-
wards me, is question which the great majority OF
the army, including my equals, and his superlors mas
long since decided
have been informedb by Mr. Vaandighams friends
that he has himself said that he did not object to the
course pursued by upon his trial, but that he did
object to what had said afterwards. What said a
forwards consisted in denouncing him, and describing
him in his true character, in the language OF Mr..
Douglas
When in the progress of the presidential campaign
of 1860 we arrived at Columbus, Chic Mr.. Douglas,
after addressing the people of that city and surrounding
country found himself very much exhausted at night,
and retired, requesting me to remain with him, and If
possible enable him to obtain MI hts rest The next
day we to proceed to Cincinnati, the road run
ming through Hamilton and Dayton, Ohio, in the Con-
gressiona District of Mr. Valandisham who was then
running for Congress. Late that night Mr.. Fallan-
digham came and endeavored to Mr.. Douglas, who
for long time refused, but finally yielded, and went
to the door, requesting me not to allow AR. allan
digham to enter. The door was opened slightly, and
Vaandg CHAM begged and entreated Mr. Dcugas
to canvass his district for him, to insure his cleo
ton. Mr. Douglas, after much expostuation, final
ly yielded from exhaustion, remarking angrily, "Val-
landighau,, you, and like you, using me
for your selfish purposes, and not the good
of the party. You are killing me-" On the next
day, Mr.. Doug las spoke at Hamilton and Day
ton, and exhausted and out, arrived at night,
at Cincinnati, Chic, where the people had prepared
for him magnificent reception but where, by reason
of his exhaustion, he unable to articuate word,
which fact grieved and mortified him very much, as he
told me- because he had once before disappointed the
people of that city, and he was very anxious to adj
dress them.
Later still, when civil war had commenced, Mr.,
Vallandgham early felt convinced that the constitu-
ton and laws Of the land could not be maintained and
enforced and Immediately to have resolved, in
stead of periodically endeavorng to avert SO great
calamity as such failure would bring upon the coun
try to indicate and advocate such opinions and
victons to quote the language of the specification
of charge against him. abe well knew, did aid, COM
fort and encourage those in arms against the Govern
ment and could but induce in his hearers disrust of
their own Government, sympathy TOR those IN arms
against it, and disposition to resist the laws OF the
land" II is idle for him to say that he merely Op
posed measures of Government. He opposed its sue
cess and in every defeat Of armies in the field he
thought he saw the triunaph of his opinions
and convictions. Whether he at heart earnestly de-
sired the saccess Of those arms is question for any
candid and fair mind to answer for itself, under this
statement of his position and if be did not desire the
success of the federal armies then it is question for
himself to answer whether at heart, though not i'll
overt and deeds, testified to by two witnesses, he
was not most dtsmnab1y traitor"
If he denies the correctness Of my statement of his
position, have, in conclusion to remind him that
when in the preparation of the Chicago platform
brief abstract was shown him and he asked wheth
er he approved that portion Of it which, in the Ian
guage of Jackson declared that the "Union must and
shall be preserved" he answered "that was all we'll
enough, but it can't be preserved" and when he
stood up in the committee on resolutions, and AFRO
gantly and detiantly, imagining that he swayed the
desnies of his country and of bis party advocated his
peculiar reasonable platform, and pointing to himself
striking his breast he exclaimed, courage is the
thing, gentlemen, courage is the thing! Witness my
SELF had it been better for him to have died, or
10 ga ACld Vi Edttic
opposing the enemies Of his country?
It is SANDER to say that sach man represents the
Democracy. The Democracy of the country have long
since passed their judgment upon him. They disown
and repudiate him He is friend to every country
but bis own-the friend Of no man but himself Tai
ented Selfish ambitious, restless, and unrng in his
cxertionS he may occasionally force himself upon the
public and may perhaps in his own State exercise
rifing influence, by virtue ef love the Democracy
bear him, but by virtue of his apparent martyrdom,
and the sympathy awakened in his favor by unjust
and illegal trial, which in his person violated the dear
est and most sacred rights of every citizen; but the
name Federalist became odous by of the oppo
siton of that party to the war of 1872 so his name
will become odious in history, and when, in future
days of calmn reflection and OF renewed sentiments of
reverence and devotion the Union and Constitution
throughout the whole country, treason shall be pro-
nounced the greatest Of crimes those who plotted it
and those who executed it equally with those who de-
sired its success, but committed no overt acts, may
together pass their days in sowowfu repentance. For
them there is future, unless the generosity and
ma nanimty of our people, Withholding punishment,
but demanding repentance, shall pronounce them for
given
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