William S. Thomas to Richard Yates

Belleville July 22". 1864

Gov Richd Yates

Dear Sir

Your letter of the 16th inst came to hand yesterday. The idea comes into my mind that you may possibly have confounded me with my brother Col John Thomas who has twice been a member of the Legislature and was lately a delegate to the Baltimore Convention. I have however been Clerk of the Circuit Court for the last twelve years and of course must have some friends or I could not have held that office in this County for so long a time and with largely increased majorities at each election. My brother and myself are however a unit in political sentiments - both being of the ultra radical stamp. I hope you will not consider the foregoing egotistical The explanation is given simply because it is a fact and we wish to preserve our individual identity and that our friends may known - which is which

I have carefully reflected upon the very important suggestions contained in your letter and am prepared to answer them by giving you some facts and my opinion It is true that the diversion in favor of Fremont amongst the Germans here is very considerable but it has not yet taken permanent shape or organization and we are trying to prevent any organization of that kind. But our remedy is

not denunciation but kindness and conciliation and such little articles as the enclosed which I wrote and had translated and had published in the German paper yesterday as well as in the English this morning and I am told that it is having (as insignificant an article as it is) a very soothing effect upon them they believing it to have been written in a spirit of kindness and patriotism. Myself in conjunction with others have been for the last year concentrating to the best of our ability public sentiment in our County in favor of Dick Yates for U S Senator and as a result I can say that I believe that almost every Fremonter in our County as well as other radicals are for you for that position

We believe the Fremonters will vote with us for our Representatives - but we have fears about being able to get them on to the nominee for Senator Mr Metcalf Like many other men Metcalf said some very foolish things about the Germans some years ago which they remember and I believe that nothing unless it is their desire for your success will get them on to him - and you will have to give us your personal aid in this work The Germans at Highland in Madison County are ditto I know from having been there expressly to ascertain their views. They are also generally for Fremont at Highland

We have been thinking about a ratification meeting but have nearly concluded not to have it until after the Chicago Convention - believing that the

German Fremonts after finding that their favorite is not nominated there and will have no chance of success will almost all go with us for Uncle Abe for they still have an utter horror and disgust of Copperheads and Copperheadism and they will then have an excuse for droping Fremont. And you know when men have taken a position they want an excuse for changing. We must therefore be patient with our friends We now think of holding a Mass ratification meeting on the first or second Saturday of September of which we will give you due notice and you and Oglesby and Moulton must be here In the mean time you could do a great deal of good by quietly visiting us any time between now and the middle of August without any previous public notice - Simply telegraphing from St Louis that you would be out that evening in the Cars which leave East St Louis at about half past five O'clock We would fill the Court House and you would rub off some of the rough corners of the opposition to Old Abe by telling our friends that although he may not have done everything to suit us all (who could in such times) yet he has done so many good things that we must not allow our feelings against him for one or two mistakes to cause us to so act as to benefit the Copperheads and consequently to the injury of our Country

When we receive your dispatch from St Louis we will give out that you are there on business and

will be over here that evening to give us a talk. I attach considerable importance to this little matter as I know it will greatly aid in preparing the Fremonters to join us in the ratification and go with us on the whole ticket

I say in frankness that I am and have been for two years past for you for U S Senator and although I shall not be a candidate for reelection or for any other office yet I shall as heretofore spend my money and time freely for the success of so glorious a cause as we are engaged in We are now circulating a number of the Chicago German Union paper amongst our Fremonters. Our German paper here has not yet hoisted the name of either Lincoln or Fremont and it is dificult to get it to publish communications in favor of Lincoln But I have strong hopes that all will be right in the end I shall be extremely happy to hear from you whenever you have any suggestions to make that you think would be of advantage to the cause either as policy or anything else And believe me My dear Sir to be Most Sincerely

Your Friend

And Obt Servt

Wm S Thomas

Thomas Wm S.

Belleville July 22 1864,

Has received Governors letter of the 16th, thinks he may have confounded him with his brother, they are both of the ultra radical stamp and both wish to retain their individual identity. The division in favor of Fremont amongst the Germans is very great, but it has not yet taken permanent shape. Public sentiment in that County are in favor of Dick Yates for Senator and almost every Fremonter are for Governor for that position, Wishes Governor to make an appointment to be there about middle of August, suggests that he telegraph from St Louis that he will be there on business, they can fill the Court House and the Gov can rub off some of the rough corners of the oppasition to Old Abe - &c &c,

File Dec 10