The speech of Mr. Willard, who at that time was regarded as the ablest and most eloquent champion of the Democratic party of the Northwest, was a powerful arraignment of the Republican party, and it caused many of the new converts to waver in their devotion to the cause they had so lately espoused, and to have judged the situation from the temper of that meeting would have been to predict a signal victory for the Democratic party. But weak as the Republicans were, they were not to be overwhelmed by this single blow, and they set themselves about to hold a similar meeting upon the identical spot. Preparations were made for a barbecue, and a cordial invitation was extended to the people from far and near to be present, and hear Republican principles discussed from a Republican standpoint. Richard Yates, the Republican candidate for Governor, was positively announced to address the meeting. He was then in the very prime of manhood. The Democrats were afraid of his power on the stump, and it was determined by a few of the most daring of that party, that he should be kidnapped, and thus prevent his appearance at the meeting. (The writer was then a resident of Galatin county, and was one of those who did not wish to hear Mr. Yates speak.) He had spoken the day before at Carmi. The road on which he was expected to arrive was carefully guarded, and every precaution taken to make sure of his capture. An all-night watch was kept up, but in an unguarded moment the sentinels slept, and Yates, unconscious of their designs upon his liberty, arrived safely during the night in company with Robert Kirkham, (now Colonel) and next day he appeared in due time as the fearless champion of the Republican party. The meeting was fully as large as that held by the Democracy, but there were comparatively few Republicans present. Many came through curiosity; others for mischief. Yates had

hardly taken his seat on the stand before a series of hideous groans rent the air. But when the speaker was formally introduced the noise and confusion knew no bounds, and it continued until Daniel Jacobs, a life-long Democrat, mounted a spring wagon which stood in the midst of the throng, and declared in a tone loud enough to be heard by all, that the distinguished speaker should be heard, or he himself would be taken from the grounds a corpse and then and there, announced his abandonment of the Democratic party. This bold and daring declaration brought order out of confusion, when Mr. Yates proceeded with his address without further interruption, save an occasional question from some of the advanced thinkers of the Democratic party as to his position upon the "black laws" and negro equality, subjects which were the stock in trade of the Democratic leaders of that section. But time brings many changes in politics. Some of the very men who were foremost in the effort to break up that meeting are now leaders in the Republican party; and the name of Yates is held in dear remembrance by many who heard him on that memorable occasion.

HOW LOVEJOY HELPED THE DEMOCRATS.

In this campaign, James S. Martin, now General, of Salem, was a Democrat, and being anxious to swell the Democratic vote of Marion county, he proposed to the Republican leaders that if they would get up a meeting for Owen Lovejoy, that the Democrats would assist in defraying the expenses. Relating the circumstance to the writer, he said Lovejoy had not proceeded far with his address before the Democrats became satisfied that they had made a bad investment. The speech, said he, was one of the finest he ever listened to, and that when referring to the unfortunate condition of the down-trodden negro, he brought tears to the eyes of strong men whose Democracy was thought to

be unflinching, and instead of augmenting the Democratic vote, it added new followers to the Republican cause.

YATES AND THE KENTUCKY COLONEL.

This anecdote of Gov. Yates comes from an eye-witness: After making a speech at Shawneetown, to which reference has been made, Yates took a steamer for Evansville, Ind. On the boat Col. C, of Kentucky, walked up in front of him, and in a haughty and insulting manner said:

"I heard your speech to-day, sir; you insulted our people, sir! Now, by Jupiter, I'll let you know I am a Kentuckian, sir! And, by Jupiter, I will teach you-"

Yates sprang up without waiting for the end of the sentence, and exclaimed:

"And I'll let you know I am a Kentuckian, too, 'by Jupiter,' and if you propose to teach me anything, open your school right now, sir, and we will see who is master in that school!"

The Kentucky Colonel was not prepared for so much ready courage on the part of the Republican champion, and abruptly left Yates master of the situation, to the utter delight of many of the passengers.

"IT MADE OUR VERY HAIR FRIZZLE."

This amusing incident in the campaign of 1860 has never been in print. The Democracy of Gallatin county advertised a great meeting at New Market; the presence of many eminent speakers had been promised, but to the surprise of all, none of them appeared, and their places had to be filled by home talent, among which was James B. Turner, then a young lawyer of promise, and afterward a member of the General Assembly. The burden of Turner's speech was against Richard Yates, the Republican candidate for Governor. His purpose was to show that Yates was in favor of negro equality, and to prove this he cited the fact that Yates, when in the Legislature, had favored

the repeal of the "black laws." "A motion," said he, “had been made to lay that bill on the table, and the journals showed that Yates had voted in the negative. Now, fellow citizens," said Mr. Turner, "I will tell you the effect of a motion to lay a bill upon the table. I happen to have some little legislative experience; I happened to be a lobby member at the time our gallant and patriotic Stephen A. Douglas was re-elected to the United States Senate, and I tell you it made our very hair frizzle when the result was announced." And here he left the subject, leaving his hearers to believe that the effect of a motion to lay a bill on the table is "to make the hair frizzle."

CHAPTER IX.

STATE GOVERNMENT-1861.

Governor-Richard Yates.

Lieutenant-Governor-Francis A. Hoffman.
Secretary of State-O. M. Hatch.

Auditor of Public Accounts-Jesse K. Dubois.
Treasurer-William Butler.

Superintendent of Public Instruction-Newton Bateman.

Gov. Bissell died at Springfield March 15, 1860, when Lieut.-Gov. Wood became Governor until the election and qualification of Richard Yates, January 14, 1861.

TWENTY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The Twenty-Second General Assembly convened on Monday, January 7, and consisted of the following members: