The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-13

a Char Wltb Mr.. C3e1cnt u. svaIlandlakaus-
The Gross Democrasic Martys On tke sienna
tios-The Fence Democracy Thrcaten 10
Is0h II the War 10 Endorsed BY the New
York Conventf0n-The Platformas Ii should
Be-No 'sShouIder straps''-Pendleton the
First Choice Of the West-Chicf Justice
Chase's Position ON the Questions or suF.
fsase aud Finance ReconciIable with Demo-
cratic Principles-The True Platform for a
Oo-operafion Of All the Elements Opposed 10
Radicalism. ho ..f t@s.r"
rgg. lrc3ss ro DAYTON, Ohio, June IL, 1868.
Dayton became famous during the war az the
hSme OF Clement L. Vallandigham. II Is q pretty
city Of thirty thousand Inhabitants who are about
equally divided between the two great political par
ties Mr.. vallandgham since the war, has pursued
his double vocation Of lawyer and editor, con-
Quoting, In the latter capacity, an evening daily
entitled the Dayton Ledger. which is, Of course the
sutsPOken organ OF the peace or positive democrats
who still follow his leadership. Mr.. vallandigham
was the democratic candidate for Governor during
the war, but was defeated, as may be remembered
during q very excited canvass. He Is prospecuVeiy
candidate for once again, and his name mas peen
mentioned for the United States Senatorship from
chic. found him quite unreserved IN the express
sion Of his views of the great questions now agitatng
the country, and have thrown together In this let-
ter what very free to state IN reference there
n. Mr.. yallandlgham is gentleman OF exceedingly
rood conversational powers, and defined his views
with great elearness. His remarks and opinions are
given in the order in which they TRANSFERRED during
the irregular course OF conversation and as trans
crbed from my note book, only 1t should be under
stood that in what follows Mr.. valandigham ap-
pears not entirely as an individual in great part
NJ representative OF the five or six hundred thou
sand peace or positive democrats Of the West and
such converts from the republican ranks as are now
convinced OF the failure OF the war to achieve its
legitimate objects and admire the anti-war men who
had the courage to stand up against the war all
through. or this large number-the figures are his,
not mine-Mr. Valandigham claims to indicate the
sentiments.
CAUSES OF THE FAILURE OF THE LAST ANTI-RADICAL
r.- MOVEMENT. re~.l trr.
II There is to be a new party formed by the anti
Impeachment Senators, with Chief Justice Chase
,or leader, it must not proceed upon any
pretence Of setting aside or destroying the
democratic party. this is not done
there will be another miserable failure like
that OF the movement originating at Philadelphia.
According to Mr.. vallandgham the convention
which met at that city at the close of the war at
tempted to form great conservative party composed
Of republicans and positive democrats which, in its
nomenclature was to ignore both. Its leaders were
principally men who had been previously in the re-
publican party Seward defeated the wings and
General Scott in 1852 by freesOzing the party. He
defeated the Philadelphia movement by attempting
to ignore the claims OF the democracy. The new
movement must begin with the democratic party as
q nucleus, the burial Of all dead issues and plat
form OF principles regarding the living questions Of
the hour. Any other effort at compromise will prove
futile. Mr.. yalandigham quotes his history to show
that the "third party" the one which attempts to
step In between the rev0lutionsts and the reaction
lists Is born of every such period Of commOtion as
the late civil war and just surely dies premature
DEATH Its leaders refuse sympathy and fellow
ship with the reactionists. while they strive
TO divert from their mad career their late
revolutionary colleagues, and think themselves COM
petent to manage both parties. Between them they
fan to the ground and are crushed under the wheels
OF popular progress. The Gir0ndists, after the
French revolution, entertained this delusion and
persisted. The Presbyterians essayed the calming OF
the troubled waters after the storm raised by Crom
well, but they sank in the whirlpool and nigh disap
peared forever The Philadelphia Convention liz
more recent Illustration OF the same kind OF folly.
PROSPECTS OF THE CAMPAIGN.
Mr.. vallandigham is satisfied that with harmony
at New York and proper candidate, the democracy
can win next November. The chances for victory
indispensable. The republican party just now
is lukewarm and disorganized, and without enthusi
for the ticket placed In nomination at Chicago.
With his followers he believes first in the choice Of
George II. Pendleton, for whom there is perfect
unanimty among the masses and the politicians OF
the North and West Mr. Pendleton's strength lies in
the enthusiasm OF the masses for him, and In his
position on the great question Of redeeming the
bonds in greenbacks which is SO popular with the in
dustrial classes throughout this region
THE PLATFORM AS TT SHOULD BE.
Mr.. valandigham lays 1t down as inevitable that
"any nomination or platform at New York which
tacitly or openly comedies that the democratic party
during the war made itself odous by completely or
sympathy with treason and therefore must be
openly killed of quietly suppressed or which is
tacitly expressly committed TO the prescription OF
the men In the North and West who refused active
support to the war;" would be followed by q conven.
ton of boilers who would proclaim the ancient and
ragged principles OF democracy. Absolute equality
and toleration without regard TO the war, is de.
manded for all men-copperhead democrats, war
samocrats and republicans-who act with the demo-
cratls party in the coming struggle against radical
ISM "AG men ought to be ready to consider and
adjust solely with reference to the solid and perma
Dent Interests OF the country all questions OF prefer
ence as to men and all nonessentals in questions OF
policy" so as TO secure the overthrow OF the radicals
IN 1868.
TIE ELEMENTS OF SUCCESS IN THE NEW ONE.
Mr.. Valandigham is convinced that the 'thrd
party" which Is breaking OF like layer from the
radicals, Will not repeat the blunder OF Philadelphia.
The movement which was preclptated by the i'm.
parchment or the President il controlled, in his
opinion by ADLER and wiser men and shrewder poll.
tcians. Instead OF the shallow and empircr
Seward IL has the 'broad. deep and sagacous' Sal
mon r. Chase for Its leader. Mr.. vailandgham does
not wish to be understood as abandoning for one
moment the claims OF democrats for nomination In
the new movement. Mr.. Pendleton liz his choice
and he thinks Mr. Pendleton could be elected. IT.
however, a better name is presented st New York
the supporters Of Mr.. Pendeton would be willing to
examine further and would not be found pertina.
cious. That gentleman, as the great exponent OF
the greenback theory, would draw vast numbers Of
followers from the masses OF the republican party in
The West, while