Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-04-04

rs. radical Organ Calls tjpeu
i'm 10 Resign nna save n11fnois
from Easl,er Disgrace.
From The Chicago Tribune.

Nearly four years ago we opposed the
election Of Richard Yates as United States
senator flon. Illinois for reasons Which need
not be re-stated. We had 10 personal
hostility TO Mr.. Yates. Our columns bear
abundant testimony to the fact. Daring
the eventlul period Of the war, which en-
braced his gubernaiorial term, We support
ed him zsa.ously and effectively. Rap
resenting, as he did this military arm Of
Illinois In that grea, struggle, We could
have done no less. Upon the close Of his
term, however, We dsmurred to his fur
ther elevation. We desired, - much -
any body, that he should reform his nsterio-
usIy bad habits and lead useful life, but
" believed that Warrington city wss not
good Waahingtonian Home, for the trest-
msut Of insbristss, and ws % stated. We
remembered that the most reputable period
Of Mr.. Yates life vas that which intesvened
between HE sslirensnt from consrsss, in
1854. and bic slsssisn % governor in 1860.
In this interval. surrounded By the in6usn-
Gee Of happy hems and virtueus COM
munity, be acquired standing and popu-
lasity among his fellow citizens that made
him the choice Of his psrty and Of the state
for the gubesnatorial chair. The expert
msnt Of four years ofpower and patronage
ct Springfield overcame him, and We
thought il ought not to be renewed for six
years longer on larger scale At Washing
ton.
He Was elected, nevertheless, receiving
bis strongest support from the ultratsm-
perance men, and members Of religious de
nominations, in the legislature. We acquies-
eed not grudgingly nj the result. aud from
that time to this have studiously auoided
giving occasion to his friends TO say that
No have sbjectsd him to unfriendly crit
icism. We have been cognizant as others
have been Of his reporter forgsttulness Of
pledges solsmnly made Ito those whose
over-confdencs pleaced him in the highest
Office in the gift Of the state, yet for the re-
putation Of illinois among her sister states
and before the world, We have RETAINED
from saving that which Ne have been re-
psstsdly urged to say by those who have
supported him most ssalsusly in times past,
and which, in Wow Of recent events can no
longer be left unsaid.
We leave to journals Of the other side
the narration OF the circumstances which
account for ssnasot Yates absence from
his seat on numerous occasions for weeks
ct time du'ing the present ssssisn Of con-
grsss and during the impeachment trial Of
Andrew johnson. Let Us assume land We
think It 10 entirely Reasonable and justifable
to do SOY, that senstsr Yates IL the victim
Of diseases, or complication of diseases,
which render it physically impossible for
him to Withstand the ordinary temptations
Of public life. The question is, wheths
the dictates OF mercy TO himself, to say no
thing Of the important interests committed
to his charge. do not requir him 10 resign .
position which exposes him to such fire.
quent shocks and his immediate friends to
such pain and modification. Wssre infor-
med that two At least of the members Of the
Legislature Of 1856, residing in the northern
part Of the state, exaetsd from him . writ.
ten promise that he would resign bis seat
| il he should At any time come short OF the
pledges he that made. We call upon thsse
gentlemen to 20 TO Washing'on on. and, after
ascertaining the fact, TO exercise the moral
power which this promise gives them.
II is perfectly useless to exact new
pledges from oas who has broken so many
old ones. 1t is idle to suppose that any.
thing can be added to the solennity OF the
public demonstration which Mr.. Yates
made before the congressional temperance
society year ago. There Is nothing to be
done but to remove, if possible, the opprob-
rum which he is bringing upon his state,
and the injustice he is doing 10 himself, by
pcrsuading him to vacatc his seat and ena-
bic the governor to fill it with some person
| who can discharge lite duties