The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-06-20
VALLANDIGHAM.
The Full Report of his Last Talk on Po-
litieal Affairs-His Views of National
Questions.


Questions.
CINCINNATI, June II.
Editor of Cincinnati Times and Chronicle:-
The startling announcement Is Just posted on
your bulletin that at 9% O'Clock this morning Gle
ment l. Vallandigham died at Lebanon, Warren
county, Ohio That tnis announcement will fail on
the public mind with an effect that similar an
nouncement In the case of the very fewest number
OF prominent men In this country would produce, is
or his past history in connection with the politics
of this State and the nation at large 1t is perhaps
not necessary for me to speak. Others better ac-
quainted with the man, socially and politically, will
pay their tributes of regard or review to his
memory. Nevertheless, / am prompted by the
memory Of a recent occasion, brought vividy to my
mind by the sad announcement Of to-day, to put
into this shape some OF the particulars Of that which
was probably the last political interview that Mr.
Vallandigham had
to Lebanon to report proceedings in the Mcclellan
murder trial, then in progress there. in which, as
ham was to play prominent part The day Of my
arrival there, at the noon recess of the court,
sought and received at the hands OF friend an in
troduton to Mr.. Valandigham, whose acquaintance,
as counsel In the case deemed 1t essential 10 the
form To say that ne received me cordially is
to express but feeby the earnest assurance with
which which w was aa met that every facility facility in his power
met him personally before that time, but am free
to admit that all my personal feelings toward the
to his political actions during the time Of strife,
that had become, as 1t were, part of my nature.
| tirely at this my first meeting with him.
| He then expressed very plainly the opinion that
| the course Of your journal towards him had been
anything but mild, or of a nature to afford him
qualification. 1 could not conscientiously say any
and canddiy said So even at the risk OF losing some
professional advantages that had hoped to gain by
his acquaintance. This course, however, instead OF
having the effect ] feared, had quite the contrary
| effect and seemed instantly to place us on more
cordial terms. He shook my hand, warmly, as
lures, and said = Ask me for anything
ny E gHs an through anS the ss
| OF my stay in Lebanon, my acquaintance with this
distinguished man continued to grow more intimate
| and personally friendly. To say that he grew upon
| ME, and developed most attractive points of per-
sonal character, such as never before deemed him
the possessor of, is to express in the very mides
form my estimate of him, and the real pleasure that
found in the enjoyment OF his society," On several
walks to and fro between the courthouse and the
hotel, and at other times we sat together in the in
tervas OF recess taking over the events OF the trial
and other matters OF mutual interest.
One OF these talks is now brought to mind with
| the vividness OF sunlight. 1t took place lost We'd
nesday morning McGehan's counsel had been to-
gether In conference quite late the preceding night
his a room M tSat morning little later than % usual.
| Meeting him near the head of the staircase, he
FAST and said :-"Come to the dining room while l
take breakfast. want to Salk to yeu."
Such an invitation OF course could not decline,
and now am more than ever gratitied that did not
decline That morning he was feeling very well.
The consultation of the night before had satisfied
HIM that the case OF his client looked WELL and the
fact seemed to lift burden OF care from his mind
and allowed him freedom to think and talk OF other
After little inquiry as to the probable length Of
the trial. his general ideas Of the case and some in
friends in this city, satd:j
"Mr. Vsllandgham, what is your opinion about
the alleged difficulty with the tally sheets at your
He said: 81 am not fully advised about that mat
| ter but when our committee meets on the 21st, Al
Columbus, / shall favor a close examination into it
and If there is any mistake 1t must be rectihed. Il
looks to me from the figures row given as II there
| uUQc q m "a Radd n
This naturally led to other talk about politics.
said, ''Well how much do you think your party vii
be beaten IN the next State canvass?" He said "WC
shall not be beaten at ALL especially If you show any
signs of discord at your State Convention or make
At this / laughed, when he shook his head anc
said, %oh you needn't laugh am In earnest abou
"But," said ], show about those malcontents ii
the NOrthwest?"
He thought that they could be brought into lin
and made 10 behave themselves. 'But," said he
and here he warmed to his subject-"this is not
which Of The great parties of this county is to b
the party OF progress the party OF advanced IDEAS
! There can be no more political eampaigns fought o.
And II the Democratic party refuses to move TO Tn
: front, TO accept the new order of things, 1t vii
earnest progressive elements OF both the old parties
will take posse sslon OF the Government"
Inquired :-"Don't you think that the campalgl
3 Of " will be fought on the present issues?" III
? said:-'That may be undertaken by our party
mise DIs Of VIII his Intention to lead the Repu6cs
: | party into a new departure, and he would hav
done it, but gang OF old politicians at Washing
9 ton held him back ana scared him with gabbl
: about defeat until he went square back into tn
- old nets Grant is an honest man, and would d
= right II the politicians would let him. but ths
q they won't do. He took the back track ON the Sa
Domingo question, in which, apart from the corruI
means used he was clearly right tell you, sir al
nexation OF territory and the control Of all the ou
lying fragments OF this continent is the destiny
? the American people, We shall have San Domingo
/ and Cuba and Mexico, and all the rest mark tina
, We missed the greatest chance we ever mad In ne
getting Cuba during the Spanish troubles We coul
have had it then for the mere asking, an
y in few years we would have been owners OF IN
richest and most productive piece OF territory In tn
world. Why, they used to talk about me and ca
s. a disunionist tell you, sir, earnestly ana hol
ic estly that never was disnniOnisti that alwal
h did believe and now believe that this Union Will
o. perpetuated and extended until 1t embraces u
to Continent" His denial OF disunion views Mr.. Va
M lan0igham thrice repeated with marked emphasis.
is Going on he talked freely about the parties OF tn
- fufu ana ia of 1 We