The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-06-27
s From the Ohio Statesman.]
CLEMENT l.. VALLANDIGHAM

Mr.. Vallandigham's paternal ances-
tors were French Huguenots, and emf
grated to Virginia in the latter part of
the seventeenth century for religious
opinions sake His grandfather was
prom inent in the early annals of Wes-
tern Pennsylvania and Virginia, as a
soldier and lawyer. His father gradua.
ted at Jefferson College, Pa, in 1904,
was licensed to preach as Presbyterian
clergyman, and emigrated TO New Lis
bon, Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1907.
On his maternal side, Mr. Vallandigham
came of sturdy Scotch Irish stock He
was born at New Lisbon, on the goth of
July, 1920, and at the time of his death
lacked but a few weeks of completing
his fifty first year.
Mr. Vallandigham's father was a man
of talents and learning, of great firm
ness and singularly CONSCIENTIOUS
Nearly his entire education was acquir-
ed under his fathers roof. When but
eight years old he commenced the study
of Latin and Greek, and before he had
reached twelve he had completed the
usual course in both languages. At
seventeen he entered the junior class at
Jefferson College; but at the expiration
of one year he took charge as principal
of an academy on the Eastern shore of
Maryland. Here he remained two years,
when he returned to New Lisbon in the
height of the 'hard cider campaign"
took an eager part, and achieved success
in his first efforts at. extempore speak
ing. After the election he returned to
Jefferson to graduate, and in March,
1841, having been chosen by his society
as its debater, he won marked distinc-
tion.Z The question debated was, in
substance, whether our federal system
of Government was in more danger Ct
perishing from Decentralization than
Capitalization. 1t involved the whole
question of State Rights, and he main
tanned the faith, after the fathers, in the
boldest and most decided manner; and
--''lost the honor" to his society.
Returning home, he applied himself
with diligence to the study of law, with
an elder brother. In the winter of 1912
he made a journey to Columbus, and on
the 9th of December was admitted to
practice in the Supreme and other courts
of the State. He took an active part in
the campaign of 1874, and IN 1S45, hav
ing just attained the constitutional age,
was elected Representative in the State
Legislature from Columbiana county
In December he took his seat in the
House, the youngest member of that
body. He was reelected in 1916, and
declined another election the next year.
During his service in the Legislature he
quickly acquired the leadership of his
party, and at the session of 1S46-47 was
the Democratic candidate for Speaker.
His speeches gave promise of his fu-
ture power popular orator and ready
debater.
In the summer of 1S47, Mr.. Vallan-
digham removed to Dayton and assum
ed editorial charge of the Empire a
weekly Democratic newspaper. In 1S49
he sold out his interest in the paper, and
in April, 1856, Presumed the regular prac
tice of his profession. But he still main
tanned his earnestness Of political faith,
and was foremost in defending the COM
promise measures of 1850. In 1852, the
first of his memorable Congressional
contests with Hon. Lewis d. Campbell
took place. and Mr.. Vallandigham was
defeated, after a most exciting contest,
by majority of lat. Two years after
wards he was beaten, in the Kansas Ne
braska campaign, by nearly $500 votes,
but incapable of dis couragement he en-
tered the lists against 1.-The Butler Po
ny" again in 1856. This was one of the
most exciting contests in the history Of
the State For three months, day and
night, every energy of the candidates
and their parties was exhausted. Mr..
Campbell got the certificate, but after a
protracted contest he was unseated, and
on the a5th of May, 1858, Mr.. Vallan-
digham took his seat for the first time
in the National Congress. He was again
elected in 1858 and 1860, but in 1862 the
district was gerrymandered so as to let
Schenck in, and Mr.. Vallandigham's
Congressional career terminated on the