Allan Tomlin to Richard Yates

Galena 3 Dec 1860

Dear friend

Your kind favor of Nov 22nd I have with great interest noted its contents. You speak of your ambition almost deprecatingly as though it was a weakness. I fear their is not enough ambition in most men & women also; for without a laudable and virtuous aspiration or ambition there has been but very little ever accomplished or, ever will be, for the present and eternal well being of the human family, for man amounts to but little in this world & still less I think in the world to come who is not the representative of some great & good principle. Who does not feel anxious to give out something from within himself to benefit & ameliorate the woes and sufferings of humanity & who is not solicitous to leave the world better by his life & exertions than he found it---so to cultivate the Divine essence within him that all he does shall bear the image of the Heavenly---always remembering that man in the abstract is man in the [conente?]---with my principles are intimately connected with men---a good man will seek to ally himself with good principles---for a “good [tree?] cannot bring forth evil fruit” &c. I rejoice with you that that disturber of the country Douglas is finally & I trust forever politically disposed of---that he will in the future remain as a lasting monument---to point the youth of the country to us as an example of unholy ambition to be shunned---but excuse this homily. you must blame yourself partly for it; you were doubtless right in your judgement in regard to the issues of the Canvass. Your majority would I think have been much [larger?] by the other course

I do most sincerely regret your want of time in relation to the mining matters. ere the time arrives that you speak of I greatly fear the golden opportunity will have passed and the money by corrupt practices, absorbed by the peculating political Banditti of Polititions who hover around the Treasury as vultures over the Carcass. the case is one of the easy solution---the facts are few, simple & clear---Act of Congress---Regulations of War [Dept?] & [Suprdts?] returns---this is all---but excuse this re-iteration of this question. How would it do (in order to settle the matter definitely I dispose of it & free it from Legislative influence & quiet the public mind), to recommend the Legislature to submit the contract & agreement with the Ills C R.R. Co & the state to a direct vote of the people---thus make it organic & get it out of the arena of politics. There is an intensity of feeling in the minds of the people about this most important state question. I trust that you will allow me to plead in extenuation of my gratuitous & undigested advise on grave matters of state or National policy. Our old personal relations---had it not been for those old days of yore---I should not have ventured any word of counsel. It was all prompted by an over anxious desire for your triumphant success. I acknowledge its inappropriatness under ordinary circumstances its indelicacy. Of course I can have, from my limited point of observation only crude & partial glimpses of the great and propelling forces which are indispensable to give direction & success to the mighty & benificent Measures of Government which shall in their far reaching forecast bless the oncoming ages of mankind & in their equity justice & benignity shall cheer & bless the disappearing myriads of our

race who are unwinding so fast this mortal coil & going to other spheres. I know but little of the necessary mechanisms & machinery whether complex or simple that is requisite to be kept oiled & [grooved?] in such perfect adjustment that there shall be no friction: principles of right & righteousness never vary, like God they are unchangeable. but enough of moralities for this [time?]. What I said to you in my letter of & about myself did not have any reference to an office from the President---for I would not do, what, I suppose would be a “sine qua non” in order to obtain it for the best office in the gift of the [P ?]. Would you believe it!! some of the office seekers have been perambulating I hardly know how many states in search of those of like calibre, modesty &, manhood of themselves to recommend them to the appointing power!!! Men of unbound self esteem---they were a dead weight to the party. they remind one of the last hound in at the death. They bay the loudest---or like the candidates in Rome for consulate of Imperial honors---exhibiting themselves and recounting their own exploits by flood & field. This is a part of the political programme I never liked---though it is I suppose a necessity of the times. I had reference to the Office of Canal Trustee. I felt that I could perform all the duties pertaining to the Office so as to bring no discredit upon the appointing power. It is my desire to move to Chicago but am financially restrained. I have heard for months that the present incumbent would not be reappointed on account of past matters. Leavit &c I know that L, said it would never do to re appoint. I stated that I knew nothing of your engagements & did not wish to be in the way---but if entirely free & have the disposition it would come most acceptably. My lands are unproductive

& I have to borrow money to pay taxes. I am really pleased to find that you do properly appreciate the labors & efforts of Denio. I believe the Republican party are more indebted to him for the majority in both branches of the Legislature than to any other one man. I do not [illegible] this that he was the ablest or greatest man by [illegible] but he was just adapted to the masses in the closely contested districts in which he labored & that proved you & L right in sending him there. I do really think he should be Marshall. I am well aware that the whole [illegible] crew of office seekers around here are opposed most bitterly to him. he was an original Lincoln man whilst every one of them were uncompromising Sewardites & Luddites. I do not much expect to be able to visit Springfield this winter. I have not seen or heard from Denio since I wrote to you. Last spring you wrote to me of a man who would aid you. I know him well---he would at any time help you out if [thereby?] he could help himself in Mark this now---he too is after office. I cannot close this without thanking you for myself---my family, my friends & for every body for very many passages in your speech at Springfield. I saw only an extract ---send me a copy & also one to my son Edward Tomlin St Paul Minnesota. he knows & loves you. A thousand thanks my old & kind friend for your many and enduring assurances of friendship. they are all feelingly reciprocated with a much larger rate of interist than I would think of paying in specie If you find in this aught ( as doubtless you will) that is violative of good man manners or good any thing---please excuse it. this is miserable paper to write on. All join in love to you & yours Write soon Allan Tomlin.