Vallandigham, Clement L. (1820-1871) to the Democracy of Ohio re: as prisoner, invokes Constitution, decries Lincoln
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05709 Author/Creator: Vallandigham, Clement L. (1820-1871) Place Written: Cincinnati, Oh Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1863/05 Pagination: 2 p. 24.8 x 19.7 cm Order a Copy
Notes: Refer to GLC 1
Military Prison; Cincin-
nati, Ohio. May 1863.
To the Democracy
of Ohio.
Banished from my native State for no crime save Democratic opinions & free speech [inserted: to you] in [inserted: their] defense, [struck: of illegible] & about to go into exile, not of my own will, but by the compulsion of an arbitrary & tyrannical power which I cannot resist, allow me a parting word. Because despotism & superior force so will it, I go within the Confederate lines. I well understand the purpose of this order. But in vain the malice of enemies shall thus contrive to give color to the [struck: illegible] calumnies [inserted: & misrepresentations] of the past two years. They little comprehend the true character of the man with whom they have to deal. No order of banishment, executed by superior force, can release me from my obli- [2] gations or deprive me of my rights as a citizen of Ohio & of the United States. My allegiance to my own State & government, I shall recognize, and whensoever I may be [struck: illegible] as binding in all things, just the same as though I remained upon their soil. Every sentiment & expression of attachment to the Union & devotion to the Constitution - to my country - which I have ever cherished or uttered, shall abide unchanged & unretracted till my return. Meantime I will not doubt that the people of Ohio, cowering not for a moment before either the threats or the exercise of arbitrary power, will, in every trial, prove themselves worthy to be called freemen.
C. L. Vallandigham
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