John Wood to Unkown

10 1/2 P.M 14 May 1864

Dear Sir.

I did not forget my promise, on the contrary it has worried me all day. but I have been unusually busy. and at this late hour. I am nearly used up.

Doubtless the introductory of your contemplated effort on Tuesday next, has received its shape, and is well matured, in your own mind. Any suggestions I could make on that hand would be of small service, if not superfluous.

Let me say however, that I have found, upon such occasions that a short sharp sentence at the opening of an address rarely failed to reach down into the hearts of the hearers, and arouse the perceptive faculties. For example

I regard the invitation you have extended to me as a compliment to the gallant State I represent, A compliment flattering, expressive and richly merited.

The prestige of a public man does much towards securing the attention of a crowd, but if he would rivet that attention, especially amid circumstances like those that will surround you, it must be done at the outset. Your speech I take it, will be condensed, comprehensive, and pointed.

The proximity of the Mississippi, and the State of Illinois to the place where you will stand, will afford you a fine opportunity to allude to both.

You would be safe in alluding to both State and River in terms something like these.

There! Across this mighty stream whose turbid waters will in select grandeur at our feet, washing her fertile shores amid the foundation walls of your palatial warehouses dividing and yet uniting our populations, you behold her the Prairie State, rejoicing in her inexhaustible recourses and the imperishable renown of her victorious legions.

There, a short ringing reference to the occasion, and to yourself.

A memorable occasion- no ordinary personage can presume to regard himself equal to it.

I cannot permit myself for a moment to indulge the idea that the intelligent assemblage before me were drawn here by a common feeling of curiosity to hear the utterances of a neighbor- a fellow citizen- No! higher and holier motives have prompted your attendance, sentiments and principles that exalt humanity- the Godlike principle of benevolence and the heaven born emotions of sympathy have brought you here,

There the magnitude of the sanitary Work- What has been accomplished, the untold quantities of supplies- benefactions of the poor and the sick- The demands for its continuance 50000 men in hospitals- Their claims upon those who have staid behind enjoying the immunities of powers, defended and secured by our troops. The certain augmentation of the number from the recent battles,

The elasticity of the loyal people of the west, and their indomitable energy, Their fixed, settled purpose, to conquer and to sustain the Government at all hazards-

That the agricultural interests, vitally important as they are. depend only upon the smiles of Providence, No fears of a scarcity if sun & shower are given to us- the improvement of our farming implement is doing wonders - The veteran of 70 can raise as much corn now, as three able bodied men in their prime could 10 years ago.

A man to plow, needs but 2 hands, legs are not indispensable the fairest lady may sit upon the plow of today, protected from the sun, and without putting foot upon the ground till her 40 acres with ease. Hurriedly have I written the several I send, more to convince you of the solicitude I feel for your success, than with any hope that it will be of service. My hand is well known as to need no signature

4.

and here, my friends, beneath this expanded roof in the midst of this magnified scene- these countless illustrations of the Consummate Skill- the self denial- the generosity the perseverance and the large heartedness of our peoples women and determined men, you have room for the practical exercise of your benevolence, and the practical demonstration of your sympathy.

Thus far and the ice is broke, you are into the subject, a thousand eyes are upon you, a thousand mouths are drinking in, as it were, your every word.

Now the objects of the the Fair.

What can demand such an exhibition of the noblest qualities of the human soul?

Every newspaper gives the answer, If that is not to be relied upon- then send your doubting hearers to the Hospitals any ward of which will furnish the solution, and tell why it is that our loyal people, coming up and coming down our broad rivers- over our immense plains out of our deep forests, gather into such masses and throw into the common depository the testimonials of their sympathy for our heroic defenders, etc.

Col. Jno. Wood.

Suggestions for speech before Sanitary Fair