The New York herald., 1868-04-27
SENATOR YATES. of ILLINOIS.
Address 20 the People Of His ssafe-A "., anIy
and AIoarnful" Apology.

WAsHiSGroS. d. C., April q, 1868.
To THE PEOPLE or ILLINOIS,
have ieen various articles In Illinois papers re-
necting on my conduct. Their criticisms are In some
respects Just and deserved. such exaggeraiions OF
my faults IA they contain, result, am sure not
wholly from III will toward me. but from Jusi1able
anxiety that our State shall be properly represented
In the United States senate.
could show 10y the records that have been alb
sent from the impeachment trial but small portion
OF the time. IL commenced on March, Just fifty
days ago to-day ! was absent from the trial only
six Of those nfty days. ! was present on
mitted 10 the senate. / could Show that /
have not been constant drnker and prove that my
periodical, and after long anu exhaustive labors.
could show hlt have never appeared In the Senate
except when sober, and that notwithstanding occa-
sonal departures since have been IN the Senate
have for the most Of the time performed my duty;
but ! waive all mere technical advantage which
might have In q controversy as To my conduct.
! write you not 70 justify, but TO waive all de-
fence and frankly confess. TO you the weakness
which, ut times, has borne me down. and which was
calculated to bring discredt on my state and my.
SELF II Is my nature 10 be frank, and especially DO
owe 1t to you who have showered favors and honors
upon me, 10 be so now. will not attempt justihca-
tion excuse especially when have so often pub
licly said that men holding public trusts should be
During twenty-seven years OF political service
with the exception OF ten OF those years when
ton, and as often have suffered the pangs Of unut-
terable remorse. can say that In certain sense
respect s might seem bu tse
scarce imagine how proud man feels when he has
TO dread the loss OF AL that renders his nature
Withdrawn Its favor from him on account Of self
! inflicted wrongs.
| II has been said with what seems 20 me unneces.
sary cruelty, 1T Is perfectly use ess TO exact
pledges from one who has broken 50 many old ones. |"
that viii compel - yoar confidence not by pledges
but by course OF conduct scrupulously correct.
I comprehend the situation perfectly; me happi.
OF my friends. the success Of my party, which TO
me Is the triumph Of liberty and good government;
fhQ M my fnp .f MI
my own life, and last and most Important the un.
tried future which approaches with startling rapid
ity-all these have been seriously considered.
To those whose affection for me has hitherto sur
vived the shock OF repeated disappolntnents say,
do not conceal from yourselves or longer attempt to
shield me from deserved censure. accept # IA
just punishment and shall not inurmur Those who
ind In my misiortunes occasion TO congratulate
OF evil concerning me and justification for having
opposed me may not finally realize the wish which
fathered their thoughts. AZ to my enemies and
those who desire myru in and consequent resignation
In order to the elevation Of else to the place
which hold at your hands--and hope they are
few-they have my pity for the ignobleness OF their
purpose and my defiance Of their schemes.
But to you fellow citizens, do apologize without
reserve or defence. do not ask the divine ruling
in of the oldest recorded trials, vz.-"Let him
tnat Is without sin cast the nrst stone" make
comparison between myself and other men I'm the
country VINO drink more than can or have DONE
and with less disturbance OF their nervous Organic a.
seem nvidious or in the attitude OF making special
plea In my own behalf ITO err Is human; TO for
give divine"
I crave only such an exercise OF the divine
attribute as the enlightened judgment OF my TEL
lowcitizens can permit them TO vouchsafe 20 me-
can truthfully aver tnat no man has keener appro
baton OF duty, live Ter pride In the honor or Illinois
or deeper sense OF gratitude toward those who have
hon0red him than have. was In my humble way
true to the country durg the late rebeons struggle
and throughout long public life against bitter
| prosecutions, and In fearful mnorities. notwith.
standing all my faults, have constantly unvaryngly
and always been TO the republican party and 10
| the principles OF human freedom. ] am not and
never have been the advOc3ts OF drinking: for,
although alcohol may be useful ~ medicine and In
some other respects yet II kills more than 10 cures
and Is much more productive of misery than OF
benefit TO mankind; and were IL IN my power
would at fell sweep blot II from the Ia OF the
earth and obiitcrate the knowledge Of making 10
| from the breasts OF mankind.
am aware that have many friends who VIII dis
| approve, perhaps denounce the seeming humiiia
ton OF writing this letter. ~ they did my Congres.
siOnal temperance speech year ago. While regret
their condemnation I must insist IL s always
manly to confess ones errors. ! am not 80
welded TO political IRE NE as 70 tp,o desire ITO 70
but have never abandoned any post OF duty assigned
me- and shall not leave my present enc before the
expiration Of my term while single stain rests upon
nv honor as a Senator Such an act would be COW.
ardly disgracefu 10 you and myself, reproach 70
INV Children who depend upon me for defence OF
their good name-an act which can only be compared
TO suicide Besides, feel that have not yet accom-
to cancel part OF the debt
Notwithstanding your justfablc distrust, looking
10 Cod my family my State and my nigh duty
shall not despair but look forward an unclouded
future. -. -
ness OF the chances OF misconcepton, doubt and
kind criticism to which am liable. care not. 10
is always manly and noble To reform error aud IL
generally good policy 10 speak ingenuousy. have
Tried to 90 both. Your obliged servant
RICHARD YATES.