Union Herald Article referencing Richard Yates

Springfield Illinois [Union Herald]

Wed. January 14, 1863

Congress, as in the Legislature, he found himself the youngest member. He was the only Whig member from Illinois. In Congress he defended the Western interests, in favor of revers and harbors, and the Homestead bill with a zeal and earnestness that endeared him to the Western people. He secured what no representative had done before or since-and appropriation of thirty thousand dollars for the improvement of the Illinois river. He at once took a high and commanding position in Congress, and his representation became national.

During his first term in Congress the Legislature of Illinois re-districted the State, and Yates was thrown into a district overwhelmingly Democratic. At the next Congressional election, the Democrats nominated John Calhoun, then regarded as the most popular man in the district. Yates was put forward to oppose him, but the Whigs had no hopes of his election; he, however, was full of hope. He entered the contest with characteristic ardor and was triumphantly elected. This result profoundly astonished both friends and foes.

During his second term in Congress the repeat of the Missouri compromise was proposed and finally carried. Governor Yates represented a district composed in great part of Southern men, but he did not hesitate a moment as to the course he would persue. He opposed the bill with all his power, and his speeches in opposition are prophesies fulfilled. In his seat in the House the panorama of the present evil strife passed before him, and his predictions of results have become matters of history. And here dates his first defeat. He was called an abolitionist, and all that partisan malice could effect was effected. He was again put forward for Congress by his friends. The contest was magnificent-one of the most memorable in the State, but the potent cry of "abolition" defeated him by the meagre majority of two hundred votes in a district that formerly gave nearly two thousand Democratic.

Governor Yates was among the first to take a part in the organization of the Republican party. Its past success in Illinois is as much due to him as to any man