The recent accusations of sedition involving members of Congress have historical roots. Back during the Civil War, a Democratic congressman faced conviction for sedition by a military tribunal after he encouraged Union soldiers to abandon their posts and defy what he termed “unlawful orders.”
Clement Laird Vallandigham, a 44-year-old congressman from Ohio, was a charismatic lawyer known for his stirring speeches that drew large crowds. He strongly believed that the war was unconstitutional—a conflict merely meant to liberate Black individuals while enslaving whites. Vallandigham took issue with military commands, proclaiming them illegal. His rallying cry, urging Union troops to “refuse to obey the orders of your officers,” resonated with many. He was vocal in asserting that the Southern states would never return to the Union through force, advocating for an armistice and a “peace with honor.” In this context, Vallandigham even referred to Lincoln as a king, arguing he was protected under the First Amendment. His charisma positioned him as a significant player within the Democratic Party, and he became a focal point for a budding peace movement that the Confederate Secret Service hoped to leverage.
On January 14, 1863, Vallandigham delivered his notable “No to War” address in Congress, which made waves across party lines. He strongly criticized Lincoln’s actions, citing the massive loss of life and resources in what he deemed a failed conflict. Just a few months later, on May 1, 1863, Vallandigham spoke to a crowd of 10,000 in Mount Vernon, Ohio, denouncing the war and voicing his sympathy for the Confederacy, openly encouraging Union soldiers to desert.
His rhetoric spoke to the frustrations many Midwesterners felt about civil rights being trampled during the war. However, his speech featured some troubling racist language reminiscent of his previous statements in Congress, claiming that the term “white” was exclusive to those without any blood connection to Black individuals. He suggested that the war was not about preserving the Union, but rather about dismantling white freedom under the guise of freeing enslaved people.
Lincoln grew increasingly worried that chaos akin to the turmoil in Missouri might erupt in the North. In response to his controversial suspension of habeas corpus, Lincoln ordered the arrest of Vallandigham, who was subsequently sentenced to prison by a military court. This action ignited significant outrage; a mob of Vallandigham’s supporters resorted to violence in Dayton, leading to the death of a young infantry officer.
In light of the backlash from both Democrats and some Republicans, Lincoln reduced Vallandigham’s sentence and chose to banish him to the South. However, Vallandigham eventually fled to Canada, where he won the Democratic nomination and campaigned from abroad for the Ohio gubernatorial election in the fall of 1863. He also became involved with a secret organization linked to the Confederacy known as the Sons of Liberty.
From his home in Ontario, Vallandigham received significant Confederate financial support to bolster his peace movement. Reports suggested that the Sons of Liberty had over 250,000 members, primarily from Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, organized in a quasi-military fashion focused on individual rights and freedoms, with a strong aversion to war. Vallandigham’s connections to the Confederate Secret Service would eventually lead to plots for what might be considered a color revolution.
The narrative of Confederate Secret Intelligence unfolds in detail in my new book, exploring the irregular warfare that influenced the Civil War’s direction. The book documents how Lincoln’s special forces engaged in guerilla tactics, notably targeting Mosby and his Confederate rangers.
During the summer of 1864, Vallandigham convened with other Copperhead leaders in Canada to further their agenda. The Copperhead movement represented a radical faction within the Democratic Party, giving rise to secret groups like the Knights of the Golden Circle. Meetings in St. Catharines, Ontario, focused on plans for destabilizing the North, often resorting to tactics of violence and sabotage—arson and assassination were not unheard of among them.
As the summer progressed, Confederate operations aimed at influencing Northern politics intensified. Key Democratic leaders attended clandestine meetings to plan an armistice that would align with preserving slavery. The Secret Service aimed to manipulate public perception through media, financially supporting Northern newspapers to relay a narrative of war futility.
During the Democratic convention in late August, it appeared that the Union’s war efforts were faltering. Vallandigham, under heavy disguise, crossed the border to help initiate an uprising, bringing armed components to the convention for protection. Funds and weaponry from Confederate intelligence bolstered Vallandigham’s initiatives, enhancing the reach of this insidious rebellion.
As doubts about Lincoln’s reelection grew amid perceived war failures, Vallandigham and his allies used their influence to craft a Democratic platform advocating for an end to the war and the preservation of slavery. However, key victories for the Union would shift the election landscape and eventually secure Lincoln’s presidency.
Ultimately, as the war drew to a close, Vallandigham faced sedition charges and was tried by a military tribunal. The Supreme Court later ruled that such tribunals were unconstitutional during peacetime, yet Vallandigham eluded punishment for his actions. He made attempts to enter public office again without success before returning to law practice. Tragically, while defending a client in a murder trial, he accidentally shot himself with a pistol he believed was unloaded.
