2021-05 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2021
A highly patriotic Union minister's letter, 1p. 4to., written by Rev. Tobias Finkbine, as president of the annual Methodist and Protestant Church Convention, Shelbyville, Illinois, March 12, 1861 to future Civil War Lt. Col. James Peckham concerning his opposition speech against receiving traitors to the United States at the Illinois State House in early 1861. Finkbine's letter, reads, in part: "In looking over the Missouri Democrat of March 9th I find your speech reported, in opposition to the reception of the Georgian commissioner, to address the Legislature of your stateàin your noble, manly and dignified defense of the institutions of our common country, the will of your constituents, and the solemnity of your oath; I am happy to know we have Men among us who have nerve and moral honestyàto Board the Lion in his den. Altho I live in the state of Ill[inois], I feel great anxiety that the state of Missouri may be preserved in the Union and the Republican principles which has been heretofore enjoyed by your state and fostered by the General Government may be continued; and the merciful interposition of the Providence of Godàmay still favor Gov'r. and state, until all shall be willing to live under the folds of the Stars and Stripes in the Union and are depressed and downtrodden brethren of Europe to come and shelter themselves in the Land of the free and the home of the Brave. Allow meàto wish you long lifeàin your public advocations in defending the Principles of the Republican Party & your constituentsàT. Finkbine, President of the IllinoisàMethodist Protestant Churchà". Also included is an original newspaper clipping outlining Peckham's speech, reading, in part: "Mr. Peckham then rose and delivered an able speechàhe denied the Republican party wished to carry fire and the sword into the Southern Statesàit was the object of Southern traitors toàplunge the country intoàcivil war. He went onà[to] expose the scandalous corruptions of the Democratic partyàthe Southern Democracy got restless under his speech andàspittooningàwas resorted to, but it did not have its desired effectàMr. Peckham without pausingàproved theàwrong of the Assembly in receiving in their sovereign capacity a man who wasàopenly a traitor to the United States Governmentàhis speech wasàlistened to with close attention by the members of the Conventionà". Light damp stains, else VG.
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