The New York herald., 1871-06-18
HERALD SUNDAY. JUNE 49, 18zL-TslPLE SHEET.

duction to politics was most favorable. Thereafter
he was prominent man in his portion Of the state
and was leader OF the democracy In Montgomery
county. So popular did he become that In 1Si5
when but twenty-tnree years of age, he was elected
member OF the State Legislature serving two
years. In ls47 he engaged In journalism, becoming
during that year editor OF the Dayton Empire and,
at the same time, continuing the practice OF his
profession. He withdrew from the Empire in 1s40
and devoted himself to the law exclusively. increas-
ing his reputation as lawyer and extending his
practice.
FIRST APPEARANCE IN NATIONAL POLITICS.
At the same time Mr.. Vallandigham continued to
take deep interest In political afrairs. He was
candidate for Congress In 1854 at q time when
his district was overw helmingly republican, or,
rather whig, and was beaten by Lewis d. Camp.
bell by 1866 majority. Two years later he was
again candidate and was opposed q second time
by Mr.. Campbell. The canvass was an exceedingly
warm one and the Official figures Of the election,
gave his competitor majority OF nineteen. Mr..
Vaandigham, claiming that frauds had been CON-
mitted, contested the election and was awarded o
seat In tine Thlrty-1fth Congress. IL Is best here
to do him justice He was man OF strong con-
victions and adhered to his views with great
tenacty. His first political speech announced his
that the Union was created by the States, 1t was
natural that he should vote with the Southern poll
ticians on all measures which asserted such sove-
reignty. Mr.. Vallandigham entered Congress com.
paratlyely unknown In national politics. He
had, 1t is true, been delegate to the
Democratic National Convention which nominated
MIR. Buchanan in 1856, but he had not taken o con-
spicuous part In Its proceedings. He had not been
IN the House many months, however, before he was
recognized as man Of marked ability. Through.
out his term he voted consistently with the State
Rights democrats It has been charged by his ene-
niles that he was an advocate Of slavery, but he
always denied this. He asserted that what he be-
lieved was In the right OF the Southern people to
hold slaves and TO take them into any state OF the
Union. 10 this extent only was he pro-slavery.
REELECTION TO CONGRESS.
Mr.. Vallandigham's constituency was satisfied
with his course during the first term Of his Con.
grcss!onal career, and they renominated him
in 1853. Again MIR. Campbell was his op-
ponent, ana the result was Mr.. Vallandig-
hams reelection by small majority. AS a
member OF the Committee on Territories he took
an active and conspicuous share In the row over the
organization OF Kansas as State. Throughout the
exciting debates he opposed with vigor oil the argu
ments Of the republicans, and wnen In 1850 he went
before the people for approval OF his conduct he
reelected for third term.
HIS OPPOSITION TO THE WAR;
1t Is dlGlculJ and, perhaps, impossible at this
early date to do justice to the motives which
prompted Mr.. yallandigham in his opposition to the
war. lie certainly earnestly believed In the right OF
secession but 1t is also undeniaby true that he was
sincerely devoted to the Union. II was with mex
pressible pain that ho saw State after State pass
ordinances OF secession, and delegation after dele
gress. But, though anxious to preserve the Union
unimpaired, he insisted that the federal govern
ment mad no power to coerce State, and lie op.
posed coercion with all the ability and
eloquence he possessed. The sessions OF
Congress In 1s6l-62 the most memorable in our
history. Many OF the democrats In both houses,
while opposing the administration lacked the nerve
to come out boldly against 1t. Mr.. Valandlgham had
no fears for himself. Call them unpatriotc though
people may. denounce them as reasonable, and
yet the fact cannot be done away with that
there was much truth In what his speeches con-
tanned. At the very moment when, cOwed and de.
the democratic minority was cropping
blindly through the session, Mr. Vallandigham de-
livered his great speech IN 1853. 1t was altogether
a remarkable production-remarkable for Its elo-
quence, its logic and its invectives. A man OF
courage and ability was required to deliver the
the last words mad passed his lips and he had taken
his seat, 1t was as the leader OF the democracy.
From tnat time the democratic members no longer
hesitated to boldly express their opinions There was
nothing IN the speech that spoken to-day, would be
construed dsloyal; but In 1862 1t regarded as
the embodiment OF treason. The radical press
poured perfect storm Of abuse upon author His
declarations Of devotion to the Union were de-
nounced as hypocritlcal; his confidence that peace
could be obtained and the Union restored II the
Southern people were guaranteed protection to their
domestic institutions were ridculed 'and he was
stgmatized as traitor for condemning arbitrary
arrests and for reassering his belief in State sov-
erei2nty. Passion ruled then; to oppose was trca.
son. One result OF the speech was to make Mr..
vallandgham the most conspicuous man In polili-
cal circles for the time being. His name was in
everybody's mouth either in praise or In denuncla-
tion. 1t must be observed that while opposing the
war and the administration he did not offer any op-
position to measures designed for the support OF
the army. He voted for the appropriations, declar
Ing that the men were IN the field, and IT was the
duty Of the government TO support them.
DEFEATED FOR CONGRESS-.
The year 1862, during which the democracy made
gains throughout the country, witnessed
the defeat or Mr.. yallandigham for Congress. 1t
has been asserted that "the people were disguised
with the mans treason and they rejected him.''
We are compelled to spoil this patriotic explanation
OF his defeat. lie was beaten because his district
had been previously gerrymandered for this special
purpose. Until 1867 1t mad been comprised OF the
Of Butler, Montgomery and Prebe, which
had rejected him by over $500 majority in 1854 and
by 10 in 1885, and had elected him by 1Ss majority
1858 and by 134 In 1860. Fo. the purpose OF
ing a republican majority in the district the State
Legislature added the county OF Warren, which
was heavily republican. Butler, Montgomery and
preblc, however which composed the old district,
gave him majority Of 657, or than four times
that they had previously given him.
MS ARREST.
Undismayed by his defeat, which he had expected,
lar. vallandgham renamed in his seat TO the close
OF his term. On leaving Congress he Immediately
started on political tour through Ohio, delivering
numerous speeches. On the 1st OF May, 1858, he
large audience at Mount Vernon, and
otaiu In hir nnrra