ish
dominion, where he would have plenty of friends.

In June, 1863, my health was somewhat impaired, and Mrs. Sherman
and I concluded to visit New England for a change of scene, and
for the benefit of the ocean air. We visited Newport in advance
of the season and found it deserted. We went to Boston, and there
heard of the advance of Lee in Pennsylvania, and the fierce contest
going on in the rear of Vicksburg. I became uneasy and started
for home with the intention of proceeding to Vicksburg, but at
Cleveland we heard the glad tidings of great joy, the fall of
Vicksburg and the defeat of Lee at Gettysburg.

These victories, occurring on the same day, aroused the enthusiasm
and confidence of the loyal people of the United States, especially
the people of Ohio. Instead of a trip to Vicksburg I was soon
enlisted in the political canvass, and this for three months occupied
my attention. Meetings were held in every county and in almost
every township of the state. All on either side who were accustomed
to speak were actively engaged. My opening speech was made at
Delaware on the 29th of July. I was intensely interested in the
canvass, and therefore insert a few paragraphs from that speech,
as an indication of the state of feeling existing at that time:

"The political campaign in Ohio this season presents some singular
features. We are in the midst of a great civil war, in which it
is safe to say that one million of men are now arrayed in arms
against each other. There are, perhaps, now, from Ohio, one hundred
thousand of her best and bravest citizens in the field, in hospitals
or camps, sharing the burdens of war. The immediate stake involved
is nothing less than national existence; while the ultimate stake
involves nothing less than civil liberty for generations yet to
come. In the midst of this contest the Democratic party, through
its most eloquent orators, endeavor to make a personal issue. They
propose to withdraw our armies, to abandon the war, and to try the
question whether their candidate for governor has been legally
convicted as a traitor to his country.

"We are assured by Mr. Pugh, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant
governor, who is one of the most eloquent and able young men in
the state, that here in Ohio we have been subjected to a tyranny
as intolerable as that of King Bomba of Naples. When we ask for
evidence of this tyranny, we are told that Clement L. Vallandigham
has been ille