Year: 1863

I
of America, they are better prepared now
every way to make good their inevitable pur-
| pose than at any period since the beginning ol
the struggle. These may indeed be uuwel'
come truths but they are addressed TO can
did and honest men. Neither, however. lei
me add, did meet any one, whatever his opin-
ions or his station, political or private, who
did not declare his readiness, when the wal
shall have ceased and the invading armies been
withdrawn, 10 consider and discuss the ques-
tion of reunion. And who shall doubt the is
sue of the argument?"


The substance of this extract is clearly
fthis:


First-That the South is unit on the
question of resisting the Federal Government
to the last extremity, and the unanimity is SO
great that he saw not enc man. woman or child
that dissented.


Second-That the Confederate States are
better prepared than ever before to carry out
their inexorable purpose of rebellion.


Third-Tbat tie people of the rebellious
States, with great unanimiry, declare their
readiness 10 discuss terms of reunion, on the
cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal OF
our armies.


1t is strange that Mr.. VaIlandigham had
the temerity to make the first of these state
ments, when it is notorious that no precinct
in this State, not even in East Tennessee, hos
so large per cent. of Union men as Bedford
county and Shelbyville, its county seat, Mr.
Vallandigbam's first resting place after be left
our lines. The village gave three hundred and
fifty Union votes, to fifty for Secession, at the
beginning of the war, and it has retained its
reputation for loyalty untarnished during the
struggle thus far. If Mr.. Vallandigham
had attempted to ascertain the sediments OF
its citizens, he would have found that nine out
of every ten were in favor of immediate sub
mission to the Federal Government.


would be glad to believe it possible that
these facts escaped his notice. but having re-
Gently visited ShelbyvilIe, and conversed with
large number of citizens, who saw and con-
versed with Mr.. Vallandingham during his
stay there, am forced to the conviction that
he knew the statement quoted above to be
false.


The second statement is not less wild and
singular than the first. He must have known
that at the time of bis visit, and before the
late heavy disasters had fallen upon the rebel
lion, the commercial affairs of the South were
in a most serious condition. Prices current
stand as follows: Boots were selling from $50
to $75 per pair; soldiers brogans at $45 per
pair; common felt hats from $40 to $50
apiece bacon, ST. so per pound -four, SOC
per pound corn, So per bushel, and other
commodities in proportion. He could hardly
have failed to notice that nearly the whole
available force of the Confederacy was already
in the field that barely enough citizens were
left at home to oversee the slaves and manage
the plantations; that the Confederacy was q
shell, which, though made of iron, when once
pierced must collapse into ruin.


His faith in the strength and military virtue
of the Southern Confederacy greatly surpasses
that of large number of his friends who are
officers and soldiers 10 the rebel army. Wit.
ness the swarm of fdeserters who are daily leav
ing their ranks. furthermore it is a well
known fact that even before Bragg's expulsion
from Middle Tennessee, many of his officers,
including at least two Major-Geuerals, gave it
as their private opinion that the rebellion could
not succeed.


The third statement of Mr.. Valandingham
is only true 10 80 far as his first one is false
Of course all loyal Southerners are nSt only
ready to discuss the question of reunion, but
are ANXIOUS to return to the Union without
discussion. But when Mr.. Valandigham
states that the leaders of this rebellion unani,
mously express their willingness to discuss the
question of a return to the Union, he either
oI,oIg
recklessly states falsehood.


In full and frank conversation between
himself and Governor Harris (rebel Governor
of Tennessee) the latter, after hearing Mr.. Val
Iandigham's statement Of his own opinions and
policy, said in the presence of many witnesses:
" You totally misunderstood US. We have
resolved to listen TO no terms short of the to-
tai separation and absolute independence of the
South, and we will accept no boundary south
Of the line of the Ohio and the Potomac
Negotiation on any other basis is utterly use
less"


1 bold myself personally responsible to Mr..
Valandgham or any of his responsible friends
for maintaining by abundant proofs the asser-
tons have made above. l appeal to the
citizens of Ohio to vindicate the honor Of our
State and the loyalty of our people against
the designs Of party headed by man who
not only stands convicted as the public enemy
of his country, but, after haviBg " left his
country for his country's good" Joined himself
with pirates and smuggers to throw contempt
upon the laws of the blockade which his Gov
ernment Lad established for her protection,
now stands on foreign shore, and with q knot
of admiring traitors around him, looks on the
Republic engaged in deadly struggle for its
life, and tries to give cheer to our enemies by
declaring our cause hopeless.


! l answer his craven words Of despair by the
stout facts Of July, under which the whole
rebel framework is reeling and tottering to its
| fall, l answer then by the fact, that even in
this most rebel portion of rebel Tennessee
thousands are hocking to our head. quarters
repentant, declaring that their cause is hope
less and begging to come back under the shield
of the Union. Let all true men take new
heart and new hope.


Let the Republic but once more display the
majesty of its strength and the work will be
ended. If our drafted force we're now in the
field it would need no prophetic voice TO sag
with authority" Yet sixty days and this reb-
Ell Nineveh shall be overthrown." am. etc.


j. A. GARFIELD.