John L. Taylor to Richard Yates

Chilliothe, Ohio.

12 Dec. 1860.

Hon. Richard Yates,

Dear Sir,

I received a few days since a copy of your Speech delivered at Springfield, Illinois, on the 20. Nov. and beleiving that it came from your friendly hand, I write you a few lines in answer therein.

I congratulate you on your election to the office of Governor of Illinois, and from my acquaintance with you when we were in Congress together, I feel assured that you will discharge the duties of that high office faithfully, and with a view to the good of your State, and the whole Country.

I am not a Republican; but still adhere to my old Henry Clay - Whig principles, and have taken no active part in politicks for the last five years. My reasons for abstaining from any active efforts, are, and have been, that I could not approve of any organizations of political parties, that I thought were sectional in their character; whether they were at the South or North; believing

from the final disruption of the Whig Party, and their organizing on Know Nothings & Republicans, that such organizations would eventually bring about the present deplorable state of things.

I am as one that most of my Whig friends, thought differently, and though I could not shape my judgment to suit their opinions, I have always in voting, aimed to select good Whigs, without regard to sectional organizations.

I voted for Bell and Everett: at the same time, I have a high regard for Mr. Lincoln, and thought the Republican Party made a long step in advance of the ultra form criticism of the day, when they nominated him.

I am not anti-slavery or pro slavery is my political opinion but entirely National; can I greatly deplore the present seeming [interferism?] of the two great sections of our country. We ought to live in peace and perpetual union, and it has always been my Opinion that this could only be done, by avoiding any interference by Word or deed with the domestick concerns of Our Neighbours in the South. "Abolition & Union cannot long Coexist."

And though I beleive that 19/20 of the Northern people do not desire to interfere with slavery in the Southern States, yet the South believes that a very large majority of the Northern People, do introfere with them, and indirectly promote insurrection and insubordination; and hence their almost-unanimous excited feeling about the present state of things.

I think, and have so said to many of my Southern friends, that Mr. Lincoln would make a good & conservative President of the Nation & not of a party, even if he should disappoint the very ultra men amongst his supporters. But you are, and we all see, that we are apparently on the very brink of distinction as a Nation, and every good man now with, what can be done to prevent Desension, & preserve Our Republic? I am willing to concede any and every [Conoful?] thing, for the sake of Peace and to preserve the Union; now what ought to be done or can be done, Should be done speedily to prevent the first false steps of our excited Southern friends: Otherwise, all will be lost

With my best wishes for

your health & prosperity, I am Your friend & servant, John L Taylor

P. S. I am contentedly engaged in my professional business, as a Lawyer; and as I cannot change my Whig principles at my time of life, I do not expect to take any active part in politicks.

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John. L. Taylor Chillcothe Dec 12 60

Congratulations on the Election of Government