New-York tribune., 1871-06-29
PERSONAL REAINISCENCES or VALLAN-
DIGHAM.


The Freshman year OF my college course
was spent Jefferson College, Pa and soon after en-
teIe @ IN, ~, I TIior veor 10 m1ntbs beinre and had
spending the intervening time In Maryland, teach
ing replensh his rather scanty purse. He now re-
entered as a Senior to finish his course. His coming
excited unusual interest for he considered one OF
training and the bright particular star of his
socety~the Franklin. This was Clement l. Valandg-
hama slender hawknosed, eagleeyed handsome young
fellow. He took room next to mine In small
boarding house where was lodged e. Aunt Polly sex
TOMS" well known 10 all old Jefferson bOys and we
soon became intimate friends though he was Senior
and l a Freshman and though he was Franklin and La
PhilO-bOh contrary TO established college customs.
Our attachment very strong at least, loved him
warmly There was something very winning In MN ne
but quite dgnihed and a little reserved he had Few
intimate friends and never knew MN 70 engage IN any
high in his class but his greatest reputation was as
equal in college. His morals even then were pure.
and his life every way was 80 exemplary tndt many
was not member OF the church.
was proud of his friendship, and in my personal at
tachment for him. became almost disoya to the society
TO which belonged. was not conscious OF this till the
annual contest coming of between the two societies
(excng in that college interest than the exercises
of commencemenU, when found that, though Philo
my sympathes were strongest for the success of my
friend "Clem.," who Of the contestants. Ills
society chose him by accamaton as their deDater His
competitor was Mr.. Mercur. now the Hon. Ulysses
Mercur NJ g., from Pennsy lyanla. Inc question as
cussed has always seemed TO to have been prophetic
Of c. L. y'sfuture political course: II was In substance
have forgotten the precise phraseology te tendency
OF the genius OF the Government OF the United states
toward Capitalization or power IN the General Govern
ment or in indy ividual StatesP Nallandgham TOOK
the side OF the Individual States and under that banner
he fought TO the end OF his life OF the merits OF the
debate | know nothing thought at the time that my
friend should have had the honor but the three as
tnished Judges Judge McCandless OF Pittsburgh was
think one OF them thought otherwise and gave III 10
Mr. Mercur. Cem bore his defeat like man. ana went
home to his fathers house ut NewLbon' Oho' To study
law. a., - ..., ,-,o, T ,-os q
preacher, and he rising lawyer ana pOluclan.
had been licensed but not yet settled, when quite
Unexpectedly put in charge OF the First PresDyI
ran Church Of Dayton, Ohlo 10 supply IL Ur SIX
lived there then, and was member OF Ithe coheIesO
TO which mnistered. His wife was a member OF the
church and some years later he also became eihoer,
our old friendship was renewed ana we had some
pleasant times together in his modest niue home ne
was still comparatively poor man, lived WITHIN ms
means and held his head high the weathiest and
most aristocratlc of them all in that aristocratc
place. L recall no particular nelno-
ries OF his life lat that time, except the
general impression made on me that he was very amDl
tous, and giving much attention To politics. He
was still the frank, genial, pleasant gentleman and
pureminded man had always known him. 80 we parted
the second time soon after questions in politics came
up on which took opposite sidcs-SaYery, the tugl'
tive Slave law State Rights, &o-and when we met again
as we did when lac member OF Congress ana nNed
In the district we both felt that there vail between
us and that could not be free and friendly as we
had been But there no rupture and iOr one never
(eVen when he outlawed and when with many, ms
name was the synonym OF dsloyalty treason ana much
else vile and dishOnorabe) doubted bls nOhor
honesty his scrupulous integrity ana fuly be-
eve the truth OF what he said short time before his
untimely death viz 81 tell you, Sir earnestly ana
estly, that never disunionlst-tnat always u
believe, and do believe, that this Union VIII DO per
petuated and extended till II embraces the continent
He was man OF great abilities, OF noble independence
of character, and OF high moral wOrth anu Sahnoo @
doubt that had he lived his name ere long would nave
been honored by tens OF thousands VINO but ew years
since had no words bad 10 ding at the traitor Naan
digham" But he Ia gone. Peace To his memory Ana
lei an old Republican antsayery friend who loved him
drop tear upon his grave H. l. D.