Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-24
RecoIIectiOns of vaIIandighann,

The freshman year of my college course was
| spent at Jefferson college, Pa, and soon after
| entered, there returned there young man who
had left at the close of his Junior year, twelve
months before, and had been spending the inter-
vening time in Maryland, teaching, to replenish
| his rather scanty purse. He now reentered as
| a senior to finish his course. His coming ex
cited unusual interest, for he was considered one
| of the most promising men the college had ever
had in training, and was the "bright particular
star" of his society-the Franklin. This was
Clement L. Vallandigham; slender hawk
nosed, eagle-eyed, handsome young fellow. He
took room next to mine in a small boarding
house where | was lodged ("Aunt Polly Sex
TOMS" well known to all old Jefferson boys,)
and we soon became intimate friends though he
was a senior and | freshman, and though he
was a Franklin and a Philo-both contrary to
college customs. Our attachment was very
strong; at least | loved him warmly. There
was something very winning in him; he was
handsome, gentlemanly, high-sprited, and &C.
NAL, but quite dignifed and little reserved he
had few intimate friends, and never knew him
to engage in any of the college sports. He was
close student and stood high in his class, but
his greatest reputation was as a society debater,
in which he was thought to have no equal in
college. His morals even then were so pure, and
his life every way was so exemplary that many
wondered that the son of old "ParSon Vallan-
digham" was not member of the church. |
was proud OF his friendship, and in my personal
attachment for him, became almost disloya to
the society to which belonged. was not cou-
scous of this till the annual contest was coming
Off between the two societies (eXcitng in that
college more interest than the exercises of COM
mencement), when found that though PhilO.
my sympathies were strongest for the success of
my friend "Clem.," who was one OF the con-
testantS. His society chose him by accla-
nation their debater. His competitor was
Mr.. Mercur, now the Hon. Ulysses
Mercur, NJ. c., from Pennsylvania. The
question discussed has always seemed to
me to have been prophetic of G. L. VS. future
political course. 1t was, in substance Il have
forgotten the precise phraseologyl: as the
tendency of the genius of the government of
the United States toward a Capitalization of
power in the general government, or in the in
dividual statesP Vallandigham 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 distinguished judges
Judge McCandlaSs of Pittsburgh was, think,
one of them) thought otherwise, and gave it to
Mr.. Mercur. Glen. bore his defeat like man,
and went home TO his fathers house at New
Lisbon, Ohio, to study law.
We did not meet again for seven years, when
was preacher, and he was rising lawyer and
politician. had been licensed, but was not yet
settled, when quite unexpectedly was put in
charge of the First Presbyterian church of Day
ton, Ohio, to supply it for six months, during
the absence of its pastor. Mr.. Vallandigham
lived there then, and was member of the con-
gregation to which | mnistered. His wife was
member of the church; and some years later
he also became member. Our old friendship
was renewed, and we had some pleasant times
together in his modest little home. He was
still comparatively poor man, lived within his
means, and held his head as high as the wealth.
est and most aristocratic of them all in that
aristocratc place. ! can recall no particular
memories of his life at that time, except the
general impression made on me that he was
very ambitious, and was giving too much atten-
ton to politics, He was still the same frank,
genial, pleasant gentleman and pure-minded
man had always known him. So we parted
the second time.