AUTOGRAPH LETTER, SIGNED ON 2 AUGUST 1861 AT CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO, FROM JOHN KEES, EDITOR OF THE CIRCLEVILLE WATCHMAN, "A WEEKLY POLITICAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER," TO HIS "FRIEND COX," "DENOUNCING ABOLITIONISM" AND SUPPORTING "THE UNION AS IT IS."
Circleville, Ohio: 1861. Single sheet folded to [4] pages, each page 6-1/2" x 7-3/4." Written in neat ink script on the first two pages, final two pages blank. Signed at the bottom of page [2], "Yours truly, John W. Kees." Accompanied by the envelope, with cancelled postal stamp and addressed to Hon. T. B. Cox, Jr. Verso of the envelope with printed information about the Circleville Watchman. Very Good.
Kees writes, "Let me assure you that you may rely upon the Democracy of Pickaway. We have our Convention tomorrow for the appointment of delegates to Columbus" They will surely oppose Lincoln's war policies, excepting a few "old soreheads" who "who have been snubbed and kicked off repeatedly." Circleville was the County Seat of Ohio's Pickaway County.
"We shall pass resolutions tomorrow in favor of the Union as it was- - denouncing abolitionism, Lincoln, and his usurpations- placing all the responsibility of our country's troubles upon the irrepressible niggerites." They "keep up a reign of terror, tyranny and despotism. I am the especial and particular object of their spleen and threats. It is absolutely necessary for me to carry a revolver in my hand whenever I walk the streets after dark."
The "liberty of white men in this country is to be crushed beneath the liberty of the negro, for the gratification of white hypocrites and devils incarnate. If there is a God of justice who rules the destinies of nations, He is sadly neglecting his business, or is determined upon an infamous destiny for this nation."
Kees [1825-1867], whose passionate sentiments against Lincoln and the War are obvious, "died, of softening of the brain, in the Central Ohio Lunatic Asylum, at Columbus" [WikiTree entry online about Kees]. "Friend Cox" held similar Copperhead views. Item #42107
Price: $1,250.00