Francis A. McNeill to Richard Yates

Mt. Morris, Illinois January 1865 Gov. Yates My dear friend, On my return home after a short absence, I found your kind note of Dec. 27th inviting me to be present at the opening of the Session of our Legislature to help you on the Senatorial question. The result of the contest forbids, on my part, the expression of any regret at my unavoidable absence. While I do not suppose that I could have rendered you any essential service had I been present, I may be allowed to say, that I never wavered for one moment in my firm persuasion that our Illinois Union Legislature could do anything less than [thus?] reward you for your unceasing devotion to the truest and best interest of the Government, and your constant and untiring care and concern for the interest & wellbeing, in every regard, of our brave boys in the field.

Well, the battle is fought, and the victory won, and you have no friend in or out of the State, who can, or will more heartily and sincerely congratulate you upon the result than myself. Now my dear friend, allow me, so far to presume upon our long acquaintance, and my position in society, as well also as the fact, that you have no truer, sincerer friend in the state, to say that I am ---- not unapprised of the one sole objection which was urged against your election. Now let me ask, but for this sole objection, who would have had the temerity to enter the list against you? But for the fact, that through the kindness of your heart you have rendered yourself, to some extent at least, obnoxious to the charge, you could have proudly and most triumphantly by loud acclaim reached that high, important and dignified position, one which your abilities and patriotism qualify you so well to fill with honor to yourself & great benefit to that country you love so well. Now I say, that your future is just what you may make it. There is no man in this Government whose future will be more bright, brilliant and glorious than yours, my dear friend, if you will allow it to be so. I but express the honest convictions of many of your friends that there is but a single reason why you might not one day, and that day not so very far distant, fill that high place at present so well filled by our old friend A. Lincoln. No one man in the Government to day has any stronger hold upon the confidence - the warm esteem and affection of the people than you have, apart from the draw back to which we have alluded.

Now my dear friend, in view of the claim which your country has upon you - that country which you love better than life - in view of the claims your friends----have upon you, and the deep interest they feel in you - in view of all the close and precious relations of private, social, and domestic wellbeing, and in view of the high, solemn and commanding claim which God has upon you, resolve, in the strength of divine grace, that you fully, finally and forever renounce a habit, which you so well know will assuredly work, and speedily work the utter ruin, wreck and overthrow of all our bright hopes and prospects for the future in reference to you.

Now, there is not another public man in the State to whom I would thus address myself, because there is no other man for whom I feel the same interest. There is no other man in the State of the same promise of high distinction and position, prospectively, unless you yourself dash the cup from your lips.

My dear friend, I, above all things desire to see you completely recovered from this one fault. I do not by any means believe the stories of your enemies, still you will allow me, as an old and sincere friend to say, that in view of your position and in view of what is simply true, it is your most sacred duty in the strength of grace divine, to abstain wholly and absolutely from any & everything that will intoxicate. Here and here alone is sure footing - solid rock, while all is sea beside. Oh I beseech you to make and keep this resolve and disappoint your enemies and bless your friends and live to serve and bless your country. These few----words of kind admonition & friendly warning are from a true friend, one who has always been your fast friend for many years. I labored hard for your nomination for Governor - labored for your election - supported your administration throughout. I have never regretted it. Had I been in the Legislature I would have supported you in preference to any and all other men, then I am sure you will receive these lines kindly, at least. May God bless you my dear friend, and guide, protect, and bless and save you, will ever be the prayer of

Your friend truly Francis A. McNeill----

D.F. A. McNeil Mt. Morris Ogle County.

Congratulatory -- [C?]