, 1862-01-30
GOVERNOR YATES.

We have not at hand the act Of the Legis
lature which authorized the var expendi-
ture, or any part thereof by the State Coy
ernn,cnt hence we do not know whether
GOV. YATES has or has not exceeded the
powers with which tile Legislature clothed
him. Indeed, in this emergency, and in
view Of the fact that every dollar disbursed
by the State for war purposes will he re-
funded by the Federal Government at
Washington, we do not care to push our
inquiries further than this:
l. Was the expenditure that he las made
for the hea1th and comfort of our troops,
tor the honor Of the State, and for the per
rctuity Of the Union, demanded by the
public danger?
I'd. In making the expenditure, has be
exercised that prudence and economy
which would characterize the conduct Of
his own private affairs?
These, we say, are the only inquiries to
which our attention, the attention Of the
people and Of the Convention, need he di-
rected. # he has exceeded his authority,
pressed on by grest national necessity, by
reason OF any delay at Washington which
was calculated to impair the efficiency, en-
danger the health or tarnish the honor Of
the brave men who have gone out from
among us to peril their lives for the
safety Of the country, and if he
has, as we doubt not lie can show, done lis
utmost to insure wise and honest outlay
OF the millions that have been needed, we
maintain that the Convention should, and
that if it is truly, honestly, and zealously
loyal, it will approve his acts by solemn
vote Of thanks! And this is all the reply
which loyal men ought to make to the un-
just, unfair and malignant criticism-the
outcropring ofilly concealed treason-with
which certain journals of doubtful fidelity
to the cause OF ther Union choose to assail
him.
The testimony comes to us from all the
camps in which our Illinois boys are wear
ing out this tedious winter, thai the pru-
dcnce, good judgment, timely expenditure
and wise forethought Of the Governor and
lis military officers, have done more to save
the lives, secure the gratitude and promote
tlle comfort Of the Illinois troops, than has
been done by the Executive Of anv other
state-that, in nll respects, our troops are
| better provided for-that the mortality
among them is lcss-that the sickness is
less-and that their general condition.
whether considered in reference to their
usefulness in the field or TO se1f-respect and
personal comforts incomparably better
than those from any other State. We are
sure that the loyal people Of Illinois, whose
hearts are with their SONS and brothers
| IN the camp, will not, when they
learn the extent and character of the ser
vice that the Governor has performed, and
| the beneficial effects which have followed
his efforts, will, as VIC do, attribute the
| talsehcod and spite with which he is as
sailed, not 50 much to the fact that he has.
as is alleged, spent money without the au-
tloraty Of the law, as to the other fact that
lie has been most faithful and powerful
friend Of the Union, and that he has con-
uibuted as much as any man in the West
to cut this wicked rebellion down to the
earth, and with it the men with whom lis
assailants are in secret sympathyl This
is his offence, and for this he need expect
no justice, no fair treatment Of the men who
are on his track. Let the people under
stand il now