J. C. Kimber to Richard Yates

Paris, Edgar County, Jan. 26th 1863

Governor Yates

Honorable and dear Sir.

I trust it will not be looked upon

by your honor as impertinent for an old

acquaintance and friend - thoug humble

to address, on matters of public interest,

the chief magistrate of the State.

Be assured dear Sir, that to your

wise and patriotic executive Skill, in

piloting our noble Ship of State safely through

the terriffic storm now rappidly gath

ering its forces, is turned every pa-

triotic eye, and under god, the hope

of every Christian heart, that our

great State shall not be handed over

bound hand and foot, to its unscrupu

lous foe.

Though the gathering tempest will

doubtless culminate at Springfield, yet

the agencies which give Strength and

courage to that aggregate of political

madness and treason, under the

name of the Legislature, are abroad

in every county, and in every

School district, doing their utmost

to inaugurat a reign of terror, here like

that which has hung as the pall of death

over Missouria, desolating her cities, towns

and firesides.

I have viewed the prog-

ress of these movements with the

deepest Solicitude for the quiet, and

Safety of our State! Living in the

midst of a community, a large

majority of whom are either open

or Secret Sympathisers with the

Southern rebellion we have the op-

portunity to See and hear much

that indicates their purpose.

A large and noisy meeting was

held at the courthouse in Paris on

Saturday last, at which the most

undisguised treason found utter

ence in Speeches and the adop-

tion of resolutions, which I

leave for others to report. The ears

of loyal men were insulted by

repeated hooras for Jeff Davis, and

Bouregard on our Streets. The bold-

ness and animus of these move

ments are creating Serious ap

prehensions in the minds of loyal

citizens where we have not the

means of self protection.

While we have no doubt that

you are watching with the utmost

vigilance every movement of the el-

ements that are under your eye

yet the evil is ubiquitous through the

State, and the friends of the union

must be your eyes and ears in

remote neighborhoods.

It does not require the sagasity

of a prophet or philosopher, to detect

the ultimate designe of this move-

ment; it is too obvious to be mis-

taken; but we hope under the

blessings of God, and by the wis

dom of the true men of the

legislature backed up by the

loyal men of the State you

will be able to avert the Storm

and Save our State from the dreadful maelstrum

of Secession.

I do not consider myself capable

of Suggesting any remedy to one

whose enlightened Statesmanship, and

watchful patriotism are unquestionable

But I can assure you of the moral

support of the Christian public, and

especially Christian ministers in a

determined opposition to the efforts

of an unscrupulous majority

in the legislature to Sell the State

to a barbarous Slave driving confederacy.

Every [otter?] of religion in our State.

Every peaceful fireside, and every

principle of humanity, imploringly

appeal to the sober thoughtfulness

of true men in this our danger.

I am no alarmist, but I

verily believe that the loyal men

of this state must meet this

treasonable movement of this min

ions of Jeff Davis with just

Such weapens as will be Suc

cessful in putting a quietus

upon it, before it culminates

in Civil war, or the Scenes

of Missouria are to be renacted

in Illinoise.

Now my dear Sir, permit me in

conclusion to say that you have the

entire confidence of the loyal men

of this part of the State in both par

ties, and you have the prayers

of Christians for your personal happi

ness and official triumph over traitors.

Respectfully yours, J.C. Kimber

J. C. Kimber [Jy?] 3rd 63

Paris, Ill.

A letter of condolence on

the state of the country.

J C Kimber

Answer thanking &

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