J. B. Turner to Richard Yates

[1860] Saturday evening Hon Richard Yates My dear sir your kind note came to hand this evening. I cannot doubt that you are quite right in characterizing the [questions?] of the races as "the great [questions?]" It will be found "the great [questions?]" practically, whether we look at it as philosophers, as statesmen or as divines. And in my humble opinion as you move these intricate, no [means?] will be found prepared to act with his hart in either capacity - in any part of the civilized world till he has most deeply pondered these great questions of the ages: the question of the races. But with us Americans in every relation & hope of social life, it is, one might almost say the only question: for we have practically solved nearly all others. Shall we then solve this also? I know given both heart and head will say with [illegible] - "yes - yes we will - God willing we will" - Therefore

most deeply regretted that the efforts of your family [illegible] goes from the lecture and that I was [illegible] deprived of the benefit of conferring with you in regard to it as I had desired. As to my [manuscript?] it was written in a space of two or three evenings in a single week and is so mixed up & peculiar in its structure (designed only for myself) that I do not think it could be of use enough to you to keep the trouble of deciphering it.

And as regards repeating the lecture here it seems to me that having once without disguise urged the subject upon the notice and consideration or actions of my friends, it would be liable to injurious misconstriction should I attempt to repeat it - and even if my friends should request it, I fear that others might construe it into a sort of partisan effort on their part, to force the thing upon the public mind. Still I suppose that the subject might possibly be put in such a shape that no ill use

or ill influence could arise from it. While on my own part I do not disguise the fact that I am still very anxious that yourself and Dr. [Fesiley?] and several other gentleman of high intelligence who were not present before should hear it, and consider that practical use, if any, can now be made of it, or if the general thought which it suggests nor am I at all unwilling to gratify any who may wish to hear it again - should their numbers be sufficient to justify it, and the influences against misuse & misconstruction properly guarded against -

For whether this view of the slavery questions is true or false - I am fully convinced that it is the view in substance of the all that lies in reality at the bottom of the American heart - and that the political heart that bases its action and effort [honestly? and heartily?] upon it will swoop up two thirds of the votes of the whole people both north & south, in spite of all their opponents can do - and furnish the [illegible] at the [illegible] the most [illegible] & hopeful solutions of the slavery questions that the nature of the case

admits of - shall that party be the Republican party ? I hope so: for I think they deserve it - but if so now is the time for them to be [illegible] the minds of the people. With there principles of [philosophy?] & statesmanship, which is the next campaign they will need to put to practical and triumphant use - Now I say - is the time to begin - the public mind is quiet and [illegible] and open to convictions - And the true [philosophy?] of the whole subject may with little effort be put through the land, if all good men will take hold of it, without opposition or alarm - I can of course do [but?] very little. But that little I am willing I hope to do. But if I do a little, and you do a little and all do a little it will amount to a great deal before the next election & we shall revolutionise the evils of our country & truly & [philosophically?] & humanely save the Union - not [illegible] & [illegible].

I shall [deliver?] this discussion in Hillsboro by request on the 7 of April and should a way open on my return on the 8 of April could do so in Springfield if desirable.

Most truly yours J B. Turner

Along edge of paper - PS Do I [illegible] of [illegible] hand on this [puddle?] of words? I thought when I sat down to write but a word as Mr. [illegible] had spoken to me this evening on the same topic. I shall send that [advice?] by him