Richard Yates to Milton Bartley

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Sept 9th 3.

Milton Bartley Esqr Shawneetown Ills.

Dear Sir:

Your kind invitation to address the citizens of Pope County on the 2th of Sept is received: I regret to say that my pressing engagement at home will render it impossible to accept. Although I cannot be personally present, the cause which convenes the citizens of Pope County enlists my warmest sympathies.

We are engaged in the most momentous struggle of modern times. If our National Union is destroyed, all that we most value in this world is lost with it. Our future prosperity and peace; our

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common Country and the dearest hopes of enslaved mankind here and the world over are sacraficed. The People of Illinois can hardly perform a more valuable service for the Country, now than to rally to the Standard of the Union at home -

The moral effect of such assemblages, such as the one you refer to in [overawing?] treasonable sentiments in our State, cannot be overestimated. Let our domestic traitors understand that Illinois can spare the One hundred thousand of her voters in the field to fight for the country and yet remain loyal.

Assure the People of Pope County that I am with them. All that I have of property, of effort, or of influence and all that I hope for, I will willingly offer upon the alter of my country.

Respectfully,

Your obedt servt.

Richd. Yates