Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-06-30
Vallandigam.

|
throughout the length and breadth of the
United States, was born at New Lisbon, Co.
lunbia County, Ohio in 1922. lie received
good education, and at twenty years of agc
began tho practice of law, at Dayton, Ohio
Possessing in on eminent degree the gifts Of
oratory, he soon became distinguished in his
profession, and in politics tho leader of the
Democracy in Montgomery County. At
twenty three years of age he served ono term
in the State Legislature and soon afterwards
engaged in journalism as the editor of the
Dayton Enterprise In 1854 he made his
first appearance in national politics as the
Democratic candidate for Congress against
LEWIS D. CAMPBELL, by whom he was dc.
feated, the district being largely republican.
In 1856 and until 1860 he was successfully
elected to Congress ovor his republican com.
pctitor. Though strong Union man, he be
lieved in and advocated States rights, contend
ing that tho federal government had no pow
or to coerce State. In 1868 after being
defeated for re election, he delivered the eel
ebratod speech which rendered Yin famous
aud the acknowledged leader Of th6- Democra.
| cy. After the expiration of his term he
traverscd his STATE, making many political
speeches in opposition to the war and the dcs
| potc acts of the government, until arrested
non. He was tried by Court martial and re
fusing to plead to the charge was convicted
snd sentenced to close confinement in Fort
Warren during the war This sentence was
commutcd by President LINCOLN to Danish.
ment beyond the Union lines, under Which
| Mr.. VALLANDlaAM came South and was ia
ken to Richmond. After remaining here
short time, he passed the blockade and even
tually arrived IN Canada, from which point he
returned home. In reference to his opposi.
ton to the war the New York Herald says ::
at is difficult aud, perhaps, impossible at
this early date to do Justice to the motives,
which prompted Mr.. Vallandigam in his op
position to the war. lie certainly earnestly
believed in the right of secession, but it is
also undeniably true that he was sincerely de.
voted to the Union. 1t was with inexpressi.
bic pain that he saw State after State ,,,ss or.
dinances of secession, and delegation after
delegation of Southern members withdraw
from Congress-. But, though anxious to pre-
serve the Onion uninparcd, he insisted that
the federal government had no power to coerce
State, and he opposed coercion with all the
ability and elqucncc he possessed. The
sessions Of Congress in l86l-63 were the
most memorable in our history hiany of the
democrats in both houses, while opposing the
administration, lacked tho nerve to come out
boldly against it. Mr. Vullaudigham had no
fears for himself Call them unputriotic
though people may, dcnouncc them az trea.
sonablc, aud yet the fact cannot be done away
with that there was much truth in what his
speeches contained. At tho very moment
when, cowcd and dcnloralzcd, the ,,uoyrat,
ic minority was cropping blindiy Though the
session, Mr. Va!landighnm delivered his grca,
speech in 1853 1t was altogether remark
able production lon-remarkablc for its cloquencc
its logic and its invcctives 4 mrn of courage
and ability was required to deliver the speech
and Mr.. VaIIandigham was that man when
the last words hnd passed his lips and he had
! taken his seat, it was as the leader of the do
, mocracy. From that time the democratic
mombcrs no longer hcsitated to boldly cx
The speech that, if spoken to day, would be
construed as disloyal; but in 1862 it was re
gardcd as the embodiment Of treason. Vh,
radical prces poured a perfect storm Of ahus,
upon its author. His declarations of deyo
tion to the Union were denounced as hypo
critical his conGd nee that peace could BE-
: obtained and the Union restored if the South
ern people were guaranteed protection t. thiel
2, domestic institutions were ridcnIcd, and h,
was stiynIatizcd as IL traitor for condemnne
arbitrary arrests and for re asserting his be
lief in State sovereignty. Passion rule,
then; to oppose was treason. One result
: Of the speech was 10 make Nlr. Vulandigan
the most conspicuous man in political circles
for the time being. His name was in every
boays mouth cithrr in praise or in dcnun
citation 1t must be observed that while on
posing the war and the administration he did
not offer any opposition to measures designed
for the support Of the army. lie voted iol
the appropriations, declaring that tho men
were in the field and it was the duty Of the
government to support them"
AS to his personal appearance and political
life the same paper has the following:
In person the deceased Ohioan was Of mo
dium height. with dark eyes, black hair, full
beard and whskerS and Norid COMPLEXION. -
Although not what would be called hand
some, his features were agreeable, 80 full
of animation they always werc. In his man
ncr he was quick and nervous, beimying his
Southern origin. His oratory was notable
for its cloqucncc. The style Of delivery was
impassioncd and rcsolute, and his clear, ring
ing voice gave to his words their fullest cx