Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-10-01
EXCITEMENT IN ILLINOIS.

Tue contest between the Republicans and the Copper
beads in Illinois, is beginning to assume physical
well as MORAL aspect. We make the following extracts
from the Springfield corresponds Cf the Democrat:
Accounts from all parts Of the State continue 10 rep
resent It's condition alarming The Union mem IN
many places at the mercy of armed and drilled
COpperheads, Who as 10 the case OF VAndaa, Fayene
county, often triumph over the authorities Ia that
CT the force Of the rebels consisted Of the three
of the service fuos horse and artillery. They were
provided With tEo pieces Of oHlOH which planted
in the Fair GROUND rake any force attempting
10 take possession Of it. II evident from the
ner in which the affair was mansgei that the nsugents
or rebels we're under tho command Of skliul officers
They we're well handled and appeared tohave arrived at
fair perfection in drill The Union men, finding they
were pow erecs against this ed mob, gave up the
prisoners claimed by its leGdefs who ten ordered
their J. gions 10 desteise. This Is an alarming
safe Of affairs in the State, which ia thus left &C the
mercy Of men opposed TO the existing National and
siae Governments. There is sket at this
meut in the possession Of the Governments of this Sae
while ON the other hand hear Of lis enemies arming
and preparing for evenua!ity which their speakers
assert is sure to come When members Of COngre's,
recently elected, encourage this armiDg aud drilling,
aud TEL the people that thsY will yet be compiled 10 do
a. their fathers did in the Revolution the public NAY
be sure there is something dangerous in the wind
The following letter from Government official will
State from which no writes:
"WIECHEsTER Sept I'd, 1868.
"Sir: have just returned from a tour (offci4D
through this no HI COngTe siOra! District fud the
public mind in an alarming concitOn. Nothing that
have seen in the newspapers comes sny where near
portrayinK She true ate OF the country. ] had no
idea OF the progress of the until saw
for myself In Shelby Montgomery, Christian aud
Bond, they are not only organized into regiments, but
are armed and equipped, and ready at minutes WEru-
ing las they showed in their expedition TO Mendoza
take the field They anger skulk in out of the way
picea aud in the night time, to drill but do so openly
a mid day and In tho public so OF county seats
encountered several c2ppanies Of cavalry myself IN
the public road, aud saw them march through towns
They we're armed with sabres, shot guns and revovers
therefore speak advisedly and reliably They have
only begun drilling publicly within ten days. When
went down they told Inc in Green county that there
was nothing Of il there. On my return, ten days attr
saw them drilling within a few yards Of the public
road III side OF Kane They were DR. Ling in several
other places in that county the day. From he
best info, ltion could obtain estimate the numbers
Of this armed mob, IN this district 10 ba not less ihAl
eight thousand"
Judge Dull 10 Franklin county, is organizing the mi
lil and proposes 10 them at the expense OF the
Slate ard doubtless command them himself. This Is
decidedly COOL considering the Judges course in the
war He ia opposed to the administration, the war,
~ coercioD n favor Of the 2Si resolution, and lie
of the leaders in the Democratic organ zatiOn
ich threatens this State with revolution. Not ouly
has it been decided in secret council to these i
but il has also been decided 70 order them to keep
themselves in readiness to act about the middle
If next month, when the word ls to be given Fl ON
Chicago.
Judge Duff may ganzsh his militia but he will most
probably have to arm them himself; and this IL the
course understsnl he proposes TO pursue knowing,
he does that be is traitor 10 the Of the country