New-York tribune., 1871-06-19

DAiiON, W. , :. =, ,,os before 10 this morning,
having fingered for about l2 hours 10 % a,,eod
fnlly conscious 70 the last. 1he e' w -,
deem impression upon this connhu''' CIV 11-",
- q o,rressed for his afflicted wire ana ms only
Snp"'n' &c - ,s,hon, was absent at Cumberland,
'. ", 80 ., the accident, attending the funeral OF
NJ, ,. . - enc Hon John V. L. MaeMahon, and upon
- , the intelligence Of her husbands death she
oei Ns fsoa,,Ietely distracted. She will be brought
orrow The full details OF the occurrence by
-, n, vallandgham lost his life are as follows:
nos engaged at Lebanon in defending McGehan,
,od with the murder Of Meyers at Hamilton some
eets ago On Friday evening, about9 O'clock ne ana
NJ associate counsel Gov. McBurney discussing
the case Two revolvers the table, one loaded
and the other not and to demonstrate his theory that
Meyers might have shot himself, Mr. Valandigham TOOK
one f them and supposing toIbe unloaded, placed 1t
IN bis rghthand pocket drew it partly out ana cocKeo
And snapped it. The weapOn-Mr Vallandgham's own'
Smith Wesson caliber, No. 32-was discharged tne
contents entering his abdomen at point nearly cores
ropdne with that in which Meyers was shot. He did
not fa but tore open his clothes and showed Gov NC
Rurney the wound exclaimng meantime that he had
taken the wrong pistol Physicians were at once called,
and began probing for the BAN, Mr. NaLandigham
assisting and quietly watching the operation lie also
telecraphed 10 his physician in this city, urging MIN 10
come at once as he feared that he was fatally injured
Dr. Reeves went at once TO Lebanon, taking with MN
Mr Valandigham's son, Charles. consultation De-
tween the physicians at midnight resulted In the conclu-
sion that he could survive but few hours Charles was
taken into the room and his father pated him ON the
head many times sadly and aectionately eXclaming
"My sOnl my sOn!" in such manner tha' All present
were moved 20 tears.
Throughout the night he grew rapidly weaker, and at
Elm the morning, when asked if he was suffering made
an Affirmative sign He expired ats minutes before 10 this
morning attended by his son, Judge Haine his law part
uer and numerous other personal friends while hundreds
of ohC remained outside the doors The remains were
at
dence The funeral expected to take place on Tuesday
and will be attended by q great cOhcourse Of people
The Vaandcham residence visited by large numbers
OF friends eager 10 express their sympathy and to OBJ
tain last look al the deceased The funeral sermon will
le preached by the Rev. p Wright OF the Episcopal
Church, Of which he was member.
An affecting incident in his last hours the bringing
before him OF McGehan the alleged murderer whom he
was defending Mcclellan wept prOfusely, and repeated
several times He died for me-" Mr.. Valandigham had
seemed during the trial. 10 have summoned all his en-
ery and legal for the defense Of the prisoner
and was expected begin his argument this evening
on Monday Judge Pope before whom the trying
adjourned the Court this morning until Monday.
A LATER ACCOUNT OF THE ACCIDENT.
CINCINNATI June 1S.-FTOm detailed accounts
published this morning, it appears that Mr.. Vaandig
ham with associate counsel, had been out, Friday
evening, experimenting with q view Of ascertaning
how near the muzzle of pistol could be held to
cloth without burning it, The test made and they
were returning two balls having been fired from the
pistol, Mr. Milliken urged him to discharge the re-
manning three balls, but Vallandigham said
"no never mind" and though M1hken re-
peated the suggestion Vaiandigham declined
10 discharge Them took the pistol up stairs and laid
beside an empty which he intended to use in the
argument on Saturday. This led TO the tragedy which
soon followed
LIFE OF THE DECEASED.
After several years in which his had been but
little heard Mr.. Vallandigham came forward among
the leaders of party OF whose new policy he was the
u-iuCipa framer and whose seemed destined TO
influence in no small degree the immediate political
future the very midst of the first seethng OF point
ical discussion around the platform he had supported
the telegraph brings the intelligence of his sudden death
ly the quick result Of accident happening while his
health and comparative youth seemed to give him hope
of seeing the ending the contest into which he had
barely entered.
Mr. Vallandigham was born in 1922, at New-Lisbon.
Columbia County Ohio. His education was begun in
schools at home, and continued at Jefferson College
After graduation he time the principal Of
an Academy at snow H in Maryland, but he returned
10 Ohio 10 pursue the study of law at Dayton where he
was admitted TO bar 1872 where he first entered
upon the practice Of his profession and at once attained
unusual success. Dayton his residence from this
time until his death From the first year Of his profes-
lona practice he entered with energy upon his career
OF political action. He only % years Of age
when he was elected a member OF the Leglsla-
rure Of Ohio. He served two years at this post,
and then continued his political action IN
suOheT channel by assuming the editoshp OF me D"S
t1H EuDirc which he successfully conducted While con-
tiuunc the practice oflaw Two years later he devoted
himself again entirely to the law, and, taking only an
occasional part political affairs he held no further
public position until his election to Congress in 1856 he
had contested the election OF 1884, but had been defeated
by an immense majority by the same opponent who
again him 1850, Lewis D. Campbell The election
in 1856 was decided against him, but he claimed that
frauds brought about this result After hot contest ms
claim was allowed and he received the seat
From the very beginning OF Nj. Vallandigham career
in national politics. he became identified with the ex-
IRENE State Rights faction of the Democratic party, and
Their doctrines formed the political creed of his life His
constant and consistent advocacy Of these principles was
The only distinguishing feature Of his career IN Congress
until IN the third term, for which he had been elected III
ls6J the great political convulson came that first made
The questions Of which be had espoused the extreme
Democratic side the leading and threatening prob
leIus Of the hour. This is not the place TO
review the Of party which bitterly
and peTsstently opposed the Government ana
called down upon itself the denuneiatiOns OF the
great majority OF the 10y al North, who saw in It's creed
'nothng but division and anarchy with the perpetuaon
of an Tie s whose blOtng out the best blood OF the
country had been given. Mr.. Vaandgham's life gave
ample proof Of his sincere belief in the opinions which he
advocated; he made sacrifices OF popularity IN his own
party, and gained the bitter opposition OF many men
VINO mao been his friends MS most bltteI
did not accuse him of inconsistency but OF injurious
error.
The events have hardly passed into history which
brought him prominently before the country in the
Spring Of 1885, He had most exactly defined his opin-
ions on the war, in speech delivered on the l4th OF
January in the House itself Extracts from It show his
position better than any comment:
Sir, one OF that number who have opposed
Abohtonisu, the political development Of the anti
Slavery sentiment OF the North and West from the be
ginning In school at college, at the bar IN public assem-
Dhes IN the Legislature IN Congress boy and
IrYate cLzen md In nnhc lfe tirnn and I'm