E. P. Ferry to Richard Yates

Chicago March 24 / 62.

My Dear Govr.

You need have no fears as to the course which the Tribune will pursue in regard to the constitution.

I had an interview of three hours with Medill this morning. He will oppose the [illegible] constitution in the columns of the Tribune & otherwise by every means in his power.

I have also conversed with several leading Republicans, & find that there is a stern & fixed determination that the constitution must be defeated. No effort will

be spared in this city to accomplish this result.

Plans have already been devised to combine all the railroad interest against it.

It is also proposed to subsidize the [entire?] democratic Press of this city, & to some extent, that of the state.

Medill & others think that there is some prospect that the Times & Post may be brought into active opposition by concentrating the railroad influence & bringing it to bear upon them.

In short, every thing looks fair in this city at the present moment. If the vote could be taken tomorrow it would be almost solid against

the iniquity.

Allow me the liberty of suggesting that if you design to be a candidate for senator it would be decidedly advisable to procure pledges from at least a majority of Rep. members before the session is called.

If you await their arrival in Springfield before securing their support adverse influences will be brought to bear upon the [illegible] the moment the session is called until the election takes place.

Now they are probably unpledged & can be much more easily influenced in your favor than at any other period.

I have not felt at liberty

to state to any one that you was a candidate, although I have stated it as my opinion that you would not object.

Mr Medill will probably visit you in a few days. I requested him to do so.

By all means secure his influence, if within the bounds of possibility

An open advocacy of your claims by the Tribune would influence many members in this part of the State.

I felt of Medill cautiously but found I was tracking on dangerous ground & backed out without committing

myself. Medill approves of the plan of calling the Legislature together & bringing back Jayne, Bester et al. He thinks that Lincoln will certainly cooperate in the movement & will reappoint them, or give them other positions, after the work is done.

The difficulty suggested by Mr Hatch, that the military officers could not, under a rule of the War department, be reappointed, can be obviated by a change or rescission of of the rule.

If there are any members in this part of the state, particularly in 1st & 2d Dist's

that you desire me to see in relation to the senatorship please advise me, & mention particularly the points which should be made, or in other words the strings to pull, & I will endeavor to make some business in this vicinity & casually call & see them.

Please give my kind regards to the state officers

Very truly yours

E. Peyn Ferry

P.S. The general opinion here is that the Constitution will be defeated.

E. P. Ferry

Chicago, March 24

Private.

About Constitution, Senatorial &c.

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