New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-06-23
CLEMENT L. VALLANDIGHAM.

cause of the exhibition of much feeling
all over the country, and his funeral
which took place at Dayton, Ohio, on the
twentieth of this month, is represented
as one of most imposing character. The
telegraph announces that many distin.
guished gentlemen from all parts Of
the Union, among them men who had
bitterly opposed Mr.. Vallandigham's po-
itical views in the past, were present at
the funeral. This is proper. The follow
ing distinguished gentlemen acted as pail
bearers upon the OCCASION: A. G. Thur
man, S. S. Cox, George E. Pugh, George
W. McCook, Judge Gilmore, General o.
G. Maxwell, John Howard, Samuel
Creighead, Elisha Thompson, d. r.
Boyer, W. H. Gillespie and d. A. Howk.
1t is to be presumed these gentlemen
were his personal friends and admirers
during his lifetime, aud, as such, assisted
in the solemn ceremonies of consigning
his body to the tomb, where, from his
sudden and unexpected death, there was
much cause for serious reflection upon
the uncertainties of this life. But few
days before their departed friend, then in
the prime of life, and brimful of hope, had
arranged for ga new departure" yet he
little dreamed of the new departure that
was then in store for him. He was ar
ranging to renew the battle of political
life, when by the accidental discharge of
pistol in his own hands he was suddenly
called to close his accounts in this world,
and take his departure for that bourne
whence no traveller eer returns. Although
we disliked very much the course Mr..
Vallandigham took during the war, we
can admire the fine qualities and high
character of the man. His friends claim
that he was frank, genial, reliable; q
live friend and charming companion"
1t is said that to the bold, robust character
of the Western man, he united the high |
tone, generous impulse and refinement of
the Southern school of statesmen.
Mr.. Vallandigham was undoubtedly a
man of considerable ability and force of
character. He was bold and earnest in
his political career, which commenced in
1859. He was then elected to represent
.he third district of Ohio in the thirty
'ixth Congress. He was what was termed
n politics an ultra Southern man at that
lime, and to that extent was undoubtedly
If the Southern school of statesmen"
he was reelected to the thirty-seventh
congress, and gained considerable noto-
iety in his opposition to measures cal
'ulated to enable the United States gov
to resist secession. After the
lose of the extra session of Congress
leld in 1861, Mr.. Vallandigham turned
Up in Baltimore, where there was much
excitement. He added to the infiamma-
ion in the minds of the people by MAX
ng incendiary speeches. This con- /
uct was disapproved of and denounced {
y many of his friends in Ohio, who.
1hen the time came, did not fail to vote
gainst him. In 1862 he was defeated by
large majority of the voters of his con- 5
ressional district, and another man sent !
D represent them who would support the
overnment in defending the integrity of L
ne country. Mr.. Vallandigham did not I
ave Congress, however, without giving G
ill further proof of his belief in seces. 2
on and his bold determination to help
as long as he remained where he could
ppose the voting of men and sup
lies to the government to enable
to resist rebellion. At that early Il
ny in the civil war, which he c
elped to inaugurate, Mr.. Vallandigham &
as freely denounced by the Union men +
rebel and traitor. And at that time a
lere were still few men in Ohio who u
ought and acted with him. In 1863 he Il
as nominated as the Democratic candi- o.
tie for Governor. In the course of the .
nvass his invectives against the govern =,
ent and military became so coarse and y
olent that it was deemed right to arrest u
ID try him by court-martial This was y
me, and he was sentenced to confnc- =
emit in a military prison until the close :,
the war. President Lincoln changed -
e sentence by ordering him to be :,
Mt beyond the military lines of the -
nited States armies. He was sent into %
e "so-called Confederacy," and from
ere made his way into Canada While a. a.
was there the election for Governor in ~
lio took place, and the rather distin- L
ished exile had the supreme pleasure -
being defeated by an overwhelming -
ljority of his countrymen, who chose "
materially differ with him in regard to
ate rights. This put an end to
:. Vallandigham's political ambition to
the time being, and closed his az
litical history until quite recently. re
r several years he remained ''shelved," 81
d it was not until within few weeks of
It the great Ohio secessionist again ap- IT
ared in print as political actor. Just on
ore his unfortunate death he had to
ne prominently before the country in lal
lte new character. This time he APP en-
irs as a Union man in a manifesto adj sis
ing the Democratic party to accept the pc
ults of the war. In this character he on
ght have done some good, and Fl
Is to be regretted that he co