Richard Yates

As printed in 1881

Richard Yates was born January 18, 1818, on the banks of the Ohio river, at Warsaw, Gallatin county, Kentucky. His father, in 1831, moved to Illinois, and settled (after stopping for a time in Springfield) at Island Grove, Sangamon county. Here, after attending school, Richard joined the family. Subsequently, he entered Illinois College at Jacksonville, where, in 1837, he graduated, with first honors. He those for his profession the law, the Hon. J. J. Hardin being his instructor. After admission to the Bar, he soon rose to distinction as an advocate. Gifted with a fluent and ready oratory, he soon appeared in the political hastings*, and, being a passionate admirer of the great Whig leader of the West, Henry Clay, he joined his political fortunes to the party of his idol. In 1840, he engaged with great ardor in the exciting "hard cider campaign " for Harrison. Two years later, he was elected to the legislature, and such was the fascination of his oratory, ihat by 1850, his large Congressional district, extending from Morgan and Sangamon north, to include LaSalle, unanimously tendered him the Whig nomination. His opponent of the Democratic party was Major Thomas L. Harris, a very popular man, who had won distinction at the battle of CeiTO Gordo, in the late war with Mexico, and who, though the district was Whig, had beaten for the same position, two years before, the Hon. Stephen T.Logan, by a large majority. The contest between Yates and Harris, animating and persevering, resulted in the election of the former. Two years later, the Democracy ungenerously thrust aside Major Harris, and pitted John Calhoun against Yates, and, though Calhoun was a man of great intellect, and, when aroused, of unsurpassed ability as a political debater— whom Mr. Lincoln had said he would dread more in debate than anyman in Illinois — the result was as before. It was during Yates' second term that the great Congress, against which he early arrayed himself, and took decided and advanced anti-slavery ground, in a speech of rare oratory and remarkable power, which gained him National reputation, ftut we have seen that at the formation of the Republican party, the Whigs of Central Illinois, unwilling to join their fortunes with a sectional party, went with the Democracy, and in 1854, Major Harris being again his opponent for Congress,

Yates was defeated on the Nebraska issue, by only about two hundred votes, in the district which had given Pierce, two years before, two thousand majority over Scott. Six years later, he was elected Governor by the party, for the aid in the formation of which he had suffered this defeat.

Richard Yates occupied the chair of State during the most critical period of our country's history. In the fate of the Nation was involved the destiny of the States. The life-struggle of the former derived its sustenance front the loyalty of the latter. The position of Governor of a great State was, therefore, important and responsible, as it was capable of being exerted for vast good or immense evil. Need it be said that in this trying period he discharged his duty with patriotic fidelity to the cause of the Nation? Governor Yates had many valuable attributes for his high station in this ordeal of the country. His loyalty was as undoubted as it proved itself true. He was the close personal friend of President Lincoln. His ardent devotion to the Union was founded upon a deep love for it. While he had been early identified with the formation of the Republican party, he had not been connected with the old Abolitionists, among whom wei'e persons who preferred the success of their hobby to the safety of the Union. But above all, he had a deep hold upon the affections of the people, won by his moving eloquence and genial manners. He inspired strong attachments among his partisan friends. Nature had fashionedhim to be admired by the masses. Handsome, erect and symmetrical in person, with a winning address and a magnetic power, few men possessed more of the elements of popularity. His oratory, into the spirit of which he entered with apparent forgetfulness of self was scholarly and captivating, the hearer hardly knowing why he was transported. Though less logical than eloquent, he reasoned well, and always inspired deep and enduring partisan attachments. He was social and convivial to an eminent degree, traits of character which, however, were subjected to little of puritanical denial; but in the very excesses of his appetites he has carried with him the sympathies of the people, almost irrespective of party, on account of his many noble attributes of head and heart.

The very creditable military efforts of this State during the war of the rebellion, in putting her quotas, aggregating the enormous number of two hundred thousand soldiers, in the field, were ever promptly and ably seconded by his Excellency; he was ambitious to deserve the title of the soldier's friend. His proclamations calling for volunteers are impassionate appeals, urging the duties and requirements of patriotism upon the people; and his special messages to the last Democratic legislature of this State, pleading material aid for the sick and wounded soldiers of Illinois regiments, breathe a deep feivor of noble sentiment and feeling rarely equalled in beauty or felicity of expression. Generally his messages on political or civil affairs were able and comprehensive; though on these subjects, particularly the former, his style is, perhaps, too florid and diffuse. There were no State civil events of an engrossing character during Governor Yates' administration. Two years of it, however, were replete with partisan quarrels of great bitterness, during the sitting of the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and the sessions of the last Democratic legislature in 1863, which latter body he finally squelched by his act of prorogation.

Mr. Yates was subsequently elected United States Senator, and served the full term of six years with great ability. He died in St. Louis.

As printed in History of Sangamon County, Illinois; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships ... portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens. History of Illinois (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.