Joseph M. Holyoke to Richard Yates

Wataga Ills Dec 10th 1864

Hon Richard yates

Dear Governor I have a Brother, Geo T. in the 45th Ill Co K, who enlisted in Sep 62 expecting he would be dischd when the time of the Regt expired. Recent family events make it very important to his private interests that he should be dischd, and if you can do anything to help it along I should be individually exceedingly obliged.

The Senatorial question is causing considerable feeling in our quarters. I enclose your specimens from our Co papers. the short piece is from Galesburg Democrat Dec 1. [Beatty?] of the Rep gives some very good reasons why you should be senator, and I dont see how he gets his conclusion from his premises.

I know of only one thing that will prevent our folks from uniting on you. Many regard

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it as very important to send a Temperance Man, and profess to be afraid of you on that question. If we could have some pledge or assurance from you that we might depend upon your abstinence while at Washington, it would make a great difference in the feeling.

I have always found Gov Yates about right in all his positions, but if his appetites control him, as his enemies say, how long can we depend on him? All this [now?] I beg you will take in the utmost kindness, as I expect to vote for you & wish to be able to meet the arguments of those who are supporting other candidates. Whatever opposition exists to you I find simmers down to this one thing, and if we can answer that, then can be no questions as to the result.

Yours Truly

Joseph M Holyoke

P.S. The speeches were duly Recd & circulated

Holyoke Hon Jos M

Wataga Dec 10/1864

The Senatorial question elicits considerable interest among the Newspapers.

Encloses a specimen of Editorials from Galesburg paper. Their people would unite on you if they knew you to be a temparate man and if they could have some assurance or pledge from you of abstinance while at Washington, they would go for you.

He has always admired Gov'r Yates, and would like to vote for you, did he know you were not controlled by appetite &c

"Senatorial"