E. S. Terry to Jesse K. Dubois

Danville Ills 9th June 1861

Col. Jesse K. Dubois Springfield Ills

Dear Sir:

The death of Judge Douglas leaves a vacancy in the Senate, which it will be the duty of Gov. Yates to fill, and we, of the old whig and this conservative branch of the Republican party, would be pleased to see Judge David Davis appointed to this position.

Perhaps to no one man more than to Judge D. was Mr. Lincoln indebted for his nomination by this Chicago convention, and to that nomination may be ascribed our success in carrying the State elections. We, the conservatives of the republican party, fell that in the distribution of the honors and patronage of the government, our friends have but almost entirely ignored and most painfully slighted. The contest in the Chicago Convention as you will know was between the extreme and radical and the conservative elements of the party, that the latter succeeded in this contest and that Mr. L. was their choice and their nominee; We have reason to feel sore and chagrined that those who opposed us in that struggle and whom we so signally defeated should now be in the ascendant and allowed to use that ascendancy and influence to overslaugh their conservative associates. A glaring

instance of party wrong and reputation is manifest in the case of Judge D. to whom, notwithstanding his unquestioned claims, nothing has been tendered. It would therefore be both proper and graceful that the position referred to be tendered to him. Aside from considerations of party justice, his ability, capacity and personal qualities point to him as the proper person for the place; and especially as the critical and disjointed condition of public affairs require firm and energetic counsels and measures. His firmness, his will and his clear and intuitive judgment will quality him for such, and the President, at this time more than any other, needs in the Senate one whom be can implicitly trust, and one in whom he would be willing to trust, and Judge Davis, from the long intimate and confidential personal and political relations between the President and himself, is emphatically such as man. If he should need “back bones” the Judge would have an ample supply on hand.

Without any position, politically, in this State and without the slightest claims to your confidence I have ventured to obtrude the preceding suggestions upon your attention, with additional suggestion that if they match your views, that the Judge's claims, in such manner as your judgment may suggest, be presented in the proper quarter. O.L. Davis has or will [illegible] Mr Hatch on the same subject. I have no hesitation in saying that Judge D's appointment will meet with universal acceptance in this part of the State. May I hope to hear from you?

I am &c

E.S. Terry

Judge E.S. Terry as to Appt. of Judge Davis Senator