Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1868-04-30
SENATOR YATES ADDRESS.
WASHINGTON. D G. April u. 1se

WASHINGTON, II. T.. April II, 1868.
To the People of Illinois:
i have seen various articles in the Hi
nois papers rejecting fon my conduct.
Their criticisms are in some respects Just
and deserved. Such eXaggerations of my
faults as they contain, result, am sure
not wholly from i'll will toward me. but
from justifiable anxiety that our State
shall be properly represented in the United
States Senate. ii0-tt '<lA
. could show by the records, that have
been absent, from the impeachment trial
but a small portion of the time 1t COM
menced in March, just fifty days ago to-
day. / was absent from the trial only six
of those fifty days. was present on ev-
cry other day, and voted on every ques-
lion submitted to, the Senate. 4 could
show that have not been constant
drinker; and prove that my yielding to
temptation to use stimulants has been peri
odical, and after long and exhaustive la
bOrs. L could show that / have never
appeared in the Senate except. when
Sober md that n6tMithstandin2 ocs
casional departures since have been
IN the Senate, 1 have for the most
of the time performed my duty
but l waive all mere technical ad-
vantage which l might have in a contro-
yersy rs tn nay oOnducf. 0o.-.o- -. q.
/ write yo1, MOTTO justify.sbut to waive
all defense, and frankly confess to you the
weakness which, at times, has borne me
down, and which was calculated to bring
discredit upon my State and myself 1t is
my nature TO be frank, and especially do I
owe it to you who have showered fayors
and honess upon me, to be so now. I
VIII not attempt justification or excuse, es-
pecially when / have so often publicly
said that men holding public trusts should
be sober men EE Pr ~
During twenty.seSHens years Of political
seryice-yith theexception Of ten of those
years Wien I totslly absainal j have
often Welded to Temptation, and ~ often
have suffered the pangs Of pnutten Sc re-
morse. L can say that, in certain sense,
my sin has been my puni ,hment. To lose
your respect might eem punishment
enough, but You can Ca zee imagine how
a proud man feels W ZEN We has reason to
dread the loss of ell that renders his
n nature noble;A and ghep it would seem
from him on account of self infticted
wrongs
1t has been said with what seems to me
unnecessary cruelty; {, It's perfectly use
less to exact new pledges from one who
has broken 50, many old ones To. this
allow me to reply that i hare reformed :.
and tbatl viii cospx your confdenee not
by pledges, but by a course Of Conduct
scrupulously correct L comprehend the
situation perfectly. The happiness of my,
family, the respect and confidence of my
friends, the success Of my party, which to
me Is the triumph of liberty and good
government, the honor of my State, the
good opinion of mankind, my own life,
and hast and most important, the untried
future which approaches with startling
rapidity; all these have been seriously
TsSbdss akosS sstctkn On ssmshss
hitherto survived the shock of repeated
tlisappo say edo not conceal
from yourselves, .sor longer attSfiipt to
shield me from deserved censure. i accept
it as a Just punishment, and shall OF muir
nliIr. Those. Yh D find in my mis- brturcs
occasion TO Congratulate themselves upon.
the Notifications of their prophet. of evil
concerning me, and a Justification for hav-
ing opposed me- nsy not1lf1IyreSlike the
wish which fathered their thoughts. As
to my enemies, Ind Hose xlIo desire nv
ruin and consequent, resignation in order.
TO theielcSat fDh 6fIsorne one ease 40 the
place which hold at your hands, and /
hope they are few, they have my pity for
tile ignobleness of their purpose, and my
defiance ffhek6hmkx k0aTI
But, to you, fellow-citizens, / do apologize
without reserve or defense 1 do not ask the
divine ruling in one of the Oldest recorded
trials, viz: let him that is without sin
cast the first stone''H 1pnake No COMPARE /,
son between myself and other men in the
country who drink more than / canor
have YfsAifMith Hes Nthfo s8e If
lheir nervous organization that have.
90 not wish in saying this, to seem inyid-
iouss or in the altitude OF making = special
plea in my own behalf. = stnil ]
csishmt s$m aaa = 's5gays s slSIas
attribute as the enlightened Judgment of
my frH6w 1itike4iSk can permit 7heri 10
vol Bafe 10 me-. lean. trythfully aver
lh4sq stfh lps4 1aetd al 4nHatbni 6f
1uty, liyelier pride in the honor Of ILL
npis, or a deeper sense Of Gratitude toward
bose who have honored him, than have.
was in my humble way true to the coun,
ny during the late rebellions 1t ruegle. and |
'hroughout q long pablic life, against bitter
Prosecutions, and in fearful minorities, not |
n Il Sfondtn0 gil mr. fau1fo Lawa 80,