Mount Vernon in Knox County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Clement L. Vallandigham's Anti-War Speech

The Mount Vernon Historic Walking Tour

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 2, 2022

1. Clement L. Vallandigham's Anti-War Speech Marker

Inscription. As 10,000 people gathered on Mount Vernon's town square on May 1, 1863, Clement Laird Vallandigham, a former member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio, spoke. Whether his words were that of a traitor to the North, or someone standing firm for liberty and the Constitution, is debated to this day.

A month earlier, General Ambrose Burnside, Abraham Lincoln's commander of the military "Department of Ohio,” had issued General Order No. 38 forbidding people to speak contrary to the policy of Lincoln's administration.

Vallandigham declared, "My right to speak... my authority is General Order No. 1 - the Constitution." He was arrested.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 1, 1863.

Location. 40° 23.621′ N, 82° 29.145′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in Knox County. It is at the intersection of Public Square and West High Street, on the left when traveling south on Public Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Public Square, Mount Vernon OH 43050, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Amish Country.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ellamae Simmons, M.D. (1918-2019) / "The Goal Will Be Met, So Long As We Persevere" (here, next to this marker); Henry B. Curtis (a few steps from this marker); Millstone

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(a few steps from this marker); Civil War Monument (a few steps from this marker); Knox County Veterans Walk of Honor (within shouting distance of this marker); Vallandigham's Speech, 1863 (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Soldiers Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Ann Ball Bickerdyke (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon.

Also see . . . Historic Mount Vernon Walking Tour. (Submitted on September 10, 2022.)

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 2, 2022

2. Clement L. Vallandigham's Anti-War Speech Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 341 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.