Letter from Richard J. Oglesby to Joseph Medill, 1866-03-10

File — Box: 2A, Folder: B182

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

This collection consists chiefly of letters to Joseph Medill. It also includes a few of his own early writings, letters from Joseph Medill, and documents related to Joseph and Katharine Medill. These papers, along with those in collections III-9, IV-4, and VI-5, contain valuable source material for researchers interested in the genealogy of the Medill, Patterson and McCormick families, Chicago Tribune and Tribune Company history, Chicago history, the origins and early days of the Republican Party, 19th century political figures (both national and local) who corresponded with Joseph Medill, and other related subjects.

The collection includes a copy of James O'Donnell Bennett's analysis of the collection.

Dates

1866-03-10

Creator

From the Collection: Medill, Joseph, 1823-1899 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Box 336 of this collection is stored off-site and requires two business days advance notice for retrieval. Please contact the McCormick Library at specialcollections@northwestern.edu or 847-491-3635 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view the collection. There are no restrictions on the use of these materials for research. All patrons must comply with federal copyright regulations.

Extent

From the Collection: 5 Boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

General

Letterhead: State of Illinois, Executive Department

Includes envelope

Text includes the following: "I have very little patience with Mr. Johnson - never had any faith in him ... It is true as you say Congress must decide upon and adopt a plan of reconstruction and final settlement of all these embarrassing questions. ... I would not insist upon either reading or writing as a qualification for suffrage black or white - I am pretty much of the opinion that every American citizen has a natural right to vote. ... I am very sure we cannot trust any rebel again in or out of Congress ... I fear to leave Negro suffrage to the rebel states is a departure from a just policy. If it shall not be also fatal to our colored friends, I fear Congress may not be bold enough in doing right ... I would never yield an inch to this insolent demagogue - I feel that we are not entirely free from peril under such a man but the only way to defeat it is to frankly meet it."

Oglesby was Governor of Illinois