Piatt County, Illinois - The whole text, 1917 (part 14 of 26)

War of 1812. - During the following year the second war with England began, but no serious outbreak occurred in Illinois imtil August, 1812, when the massacre at Fort Dearborn, where Chicago now stands, took place. This had long been a favorite trading post of the Indians, at first imder French occupation and afterward under the Americans. Sometime during 1803r04, a fort had been built near the mouth of Chicago River on the south side, on land acquired from the Indians by the treaty of Greenville in 1795. (See Fort Dearborn.) In the spring of 1812 some alarm had been caused by outrages committed by Indians in the vicinity, and in the early part of August, Capt. Nathan Heald, commanding the garrison of less than seventy-five men, received instructions from General Hull, in command at Detroit, to evacuate the fort, disposing of the public property as he might see fit. Friendly Indians advised Heald either to make preparations for a vigorous defense, or evacuate at once. Instead of this, he notified the Indians of his intention to retire and divide the stores among them, with the conditions subsequently agreed upon in council, that his garrison should be afforded an escort and safe passage to Fort Wayne. On the 14th of August he proceeded to distribute the bulk of the goods as promised, but the ammunition, guns and liquors were destroyed. This he justified on the ground that a bad use would be made of them, while the Indians construed it as a violation of the agreement. The tragedy which followed, is thus described in Moses' **History of Illinois:" appeared before Captain Heald and informed him plainly that his young men intended to imbrue their hands in the blood of the whites; that he was no longer able to restrain them, and, surrendering a medal he had worn in token of amity, closed by saying: *I will not wear a token of peace while I am compelled to act as an enemy. * In the meantime the Indians were rioting upon the provisions, and becoming so aggressive in their bearing that it was resolved to march out the next day. The fatal fifteenth arrived. To each soldier was distributed twenty-five rounds of reserved ammunition. The baggage and ambulance wa^ns were laden, and the garrison slowly wended its way outside the protecting walls of the fort - ^the Indian escort of 500 following in the rear. What next occurred in this disastrous movement is narrated by Captain Heald in his report, as follows: *The situation of the coimtry rendered it neceesanr for us to take the beach, with the lake on our left, and a high sand bank on our right at about three hundx^dd yards distance. We nad proceeded about a mile and a half, when it was discovered (by Captain Wells) that the Indians were prepared to attack us from behind the bank. I immediately marched up with the company to the top of the bank, when the action commenced: after firing one round, we charged, and the Indians gave way in front and joined those on our flanks. In about fifteen minutes they got possession of all our horses, provisions and baggage of every description, and finding the Miamis (who had come from Fort Wayne with Captain Wells to act as an escort) did not assist us, I drew off the few men I had left and took possession of a small elevation in the open praine out of shot of the bank, or any other cover. The Indians did not follow me but assembled in a body on top of the bank, and after some consultation among themselves, made signs for me to approach them. I advanced toward them alone, and was met by one of the Pottawatomie chiefs called Black Bird, with an interpreter. After shaking hands, he rec^uested me to surrender, promising to spare the lives of all the prisoners. On a few moments' consideration I concluded it would be most prudent to comply with this request, although I did not put entire confidence in his promise. The troops nad made a brave defense, but what could so small a force do against such overwhelming numbers? It was evident with over half their number dead upon the field, or woimded, further resistance would be. hopeless. Twenty-six reg^ulars and twelve militia, with two women and twelve children, were killed. Among the slain were Captain Wells, Dr. Van Voorhis and Ensigpi George Ronan. (Captain Wells, when youn^, had been captured by Indians and had married among them.) He (Wells) was familiar with all the wiles, stratagems, as well as the vindictiveness of the Indian character, and when the confiict began, he said tp his niece (Mrs. Heald), by whose side he was standing, *We have not the slightest chance for life; we must part to meet no more in this world. God bless you.* With these words he dashed forward into the thickest of the fight. He refused to be taken prisoner, knowing what his fate would be, when a young

''The prisoners taken were Captain Heald and wife, both wounded, Lieutenant Helm, also woimded, and wife, with twenty -five non-commissioned officers and privates, and eleven women and children. The loss of the Indians was fifteen killed. Mr. Kinzie's family had been entrusted to the care of some friendly Indians and were not with the retiring garrison. The Indians engaged in this outrage were principally Pottawatomies, with a few Chippewas, Ottawas, Winnebagoes. and Kickapoos. Fort Dearborn was plundered and burned on the next morning." (See Forf Dearborn; also War of 1812.)

Thus ended the most bloody tragedy that ever occurred on the soil of Iliinois with Americans as victims. The place where this affair occurred, as described by Captain Heald, was on the lake shore about the foot of Eighteenth Street in the present city of Chicago. After the destruction of the fort, the site of the present city of Chicago remained unoccupied until 1816, when the fort was rebuilt. At that time the bones of the victims of the massacre of 1812 still lay bleaching upon the sands near the lake shore, Lut they were gathered up a few years later and buried. The new fort continued to be occupied somewhat irregularly until 1837, when it was finally abandoned, there being no longer any reason for maintaining it as a defense against the Indians.

Other Events op the War. - The part played by Illinois in the War of 1812, consisted chiefly in looking after the large Indian population within and near its borders. Two expeditions were undertaken to Peoria Lake in the Fall of 1812; the first of these, under the direction of Qovemor Edwards, burned two Kickapoo villages, one of them being that of **Black Partridge," who had befriended the whites at Fort Dearborn. A few weeks later Capt. Thomas E. Craig, at the head of a company of militia, made a descent upon the ancient French village of Peoria, on the pretext that the inhabitants had harbored hostile Indians and fired on his boats. He burned a part of the town and, taking the people as prisoners down the river, put them ashore below Alton, in the beginning of winter. Both these affair:; were severely censured.

There were expeditions against the Indians on the Illinois and Upper Mississippi in 1813 and 1814. In the latter year, Illinois troops took part with credit in two engagements at Rock Island - the last of these being in co-operation with regulars, under command of Maj. Zachary Taylor, afterwards President, against a force of Indians supported by the British. Fort Clark at Peoria was erected in 1818, and Fort Edwards at Warsaw, opposite the mouth of the Des Moines, at the close of the campaign of 1814. A council with the Indians, conducted by Governors Edwards of Illinois and Clarke of Missomri, and Auguste Chouteau, a merchant of St. Louis, as Grovemment Commissioners, on the Mississippi just below Alton, in July, 1815, concluded a treaty of peace with the principal Northwestern tribes, thus ending the war.

First Territorial Legislature. - By act of Congress, adopted May 21, 1812, the Territory of Illinois was raised to the second grade - i. e., empowered to elect a Territorial Legislatiu-e. In September, three additional counties - Madison, Gallatin and Johnson - were organized, making five in all, and, in October, an election for the choice of five members of the Council and seven Representatives was held, resulting as follows: Councilmen - Pierre Menard of Randolph County; William Biggs of St. Clair; Samuel Judy of Madison; Thomas Ferguson of Johnson, an*' Benjamin Talbot of Gallatin. RepresentativGd - George Fisher of Randolph ; Joshua Oglesby and Jacob Short of St. Clair; William Jones of Madison; Philip Trammel and Alexander Wilson of Gallatin, and John Grammar of Johnson. The Legislature met at KaskasKa, Nov. 25, the Council organizing with Pierre Menard as President and John Thomas, Secretary; and the House, with George Fisher as Speaker and William C. Greenup, Clerk. Shadrach Bond was elected the first Delegate to Congress.

A second Legislature was elected in 1814, convening at Kaskaskia, Nov. 14. Menard was continued President of the Council during the whole Territorial period; while George Fisher was Speaker of each House, except the Second. The county of Edwards was organized in 1814, and White in 1815. Other counties organized under the Territorial Government were Jackson, Monroe, Crawford and Pope in 1816; Bond in 1817, and Franklin, Union and Washington in 1818, making fifteen in all. Of these all but the three last-named were organized previous to the passage by Congress of the enabling act authorizing the Territory of Illinois to organize a State government. In 1816 the Bank of Illinois was established at Shawneetown, with branches at Edwardsville and Kaskaskia.

Early Towns. - Besides the French villages in the American Bottom, there is said to have been a French and Indian village on the west bank of Peoria Lake, as early as 1711. This site appears to have been abandoned about 1775 and a ne^ village established on the present site of Peoria soon after, which was maintained until 1812, when it was broken up by Captain Craig. Other early towns were Shawneetown, laid out in 1808 ; Belleville, established as the county-seat of St. Clair County, in 1814; Edwardsville, founded in 1815; Upper Alton, in 1816. and Alton, in 1818. Carmi, Fairfield, Waterloo, Gk>lconda, Lawrenceville. Mount Carmel and Vienna also belonged to this period; while Jacksonville, Springfield and Gralena were settled a few years later. Chicago is mentioned in * 'Beck's Gazetteer'* of 1823, as "a village of Pike County."

ADHissipN AS A State. - The preliminary steps for the admission of Illinois as a State, were taken in the passage of an Enabling Act by Congress, April 18, 1818. An important incident in this connection was the amendment of the act, making the parallel of 42" 80' from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River the northern boundary, instead of a line extending fronn the fiouthern extremity of the Laka This was obtained through the infiuence of Hon. Nathaniel Pope, then Delegate from Illinois, and by it the State secured a strip of country fifty-one miles in width, from the Lake to the Mississippi, embracing what have since become fourteen of the most populous counties of the State, including the city of Chicago. The political, material and moral results which have followed this important act, have been the subject of much interesting discussion and cannot be easily over-estimated. (See Northern Boundary Question; also Pope, Nathaniel.)

Another measure of great importance, which Mr. Pope secured, was a modification of the provision of the Enabling Act requiring the appropriation of five per cent of the proceeds from the sale of public lands within the State; to the construction of roads and canals. The amendment which he secured authorizes the application of two-fifths of this fund to the making of roads leading to the State, but requires **the residue to be appropriated by the Legislature of the State for the encouragement of learning, of which one-sixth part shall be exclusively bestowed on a college or university." This was the beginning of that system of liberal encouragement of education by the Oeneral Gk>vernment, which has been attended with such beneficent results in the younger States, and has reflected so much honor upon the Nation. (See Education; Railroads, and Illinois & Michigan Canal.)

that year, should show a population of 40,000. Such a result was shown, but it is now confessed that the number was greatly exaggerated, the true population, as afterwards given, being 34,020. According to the decennial census of 1820, the population of the State at that time was 55,162. If there was any short-coitiing in this respect in 1818, the State has fully compensated for it by its unexampled growth in later years.

An election of Delegates to a Convention to frame a State Constitution was held July 6 to 8, 1818 (extending through three days), thirty-three Delegates being chosen from the fifteen counties of the State. The Convention met at Kaskaskia, August 8, and organized by the election of Jesse B. Thomas, President, and William C. Greenup, Secretary, closing its labors, August 26. The Constitution, which was modeled largely upon the Constitutions of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, was not submitted to a vote of the people. (See Constitutional Conventions, especially Convention of 1818.) Objection was made to its acceptance by Congress on the ground that the population of the Territory was insufficient and that the prohibition of slavery was not as explicit as required by the Ordinance of 1787; but these arguments were overcome and the document accepted by a vote of 117 yeas to 84 nays. The only officers whose election was provided for by popular vote, were the Governor,' Lieutenant- Gk)vemor, Sheriffs, Coroners and County Commissioners. The Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Auditor of Public Accounts, Public Printer and Supreme and Circuit Judges were all appointive either by the Governor or General Assembly. The elective franchise was granted to all white male inhabitants, above the age of 21 years, who had resided in the State six months.

The first State election was held Sept. 17, 1818, resulting in the choice of Shadrach Bond for Grovemor, and Pierre Menard, Lieutenant- Gk>vemor. The Legislature, chosen at the same time, consisted of thirteen Senators and twentyseven Representatives. It commenced its session at Kaskaskia, Oct. 5, 1818, and adjourned after a session of ten days, awaiting the formal admission of the State, which took place Dec 8. A second session of the same Legislature was held, extending from Jan. 4 to March 81, 1819. Risdon Moore was Speaker of the first House. The other State officers elected at the first session were Elijah C. Berry, Auditor; John Thomas, Treasurer, and Daniel P. Cook, Attomey-GeneraL Elias Kent Kane, having been appointed Secretary of State by the Governor, was confirmed by the Senate. Elx-Govemor Edwards and Jesse B. Thomas were elected United States Senators, the former drawing the short term and serving one year, when he was re-elected. Thomas served two terms, retiring in 1829. The first Supreme Court consisted of Joseph Phillips, Chief Justice, with Thomas C. Browne, William P. Foster and John Reynolds, Associate Justices. Foster, who was a mere adventurer without any legal knowledge, left the State in a few months and was succeeded by William Wilson. (See State Officers, United States Senators, and Judiciary.)

Menard, who served as Lieutenant-Oovemor four years, was a noteworthy man. A native of Canada and of French descent, he came to Kaskaskia in 1790, at the age of 24 years, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was hospitable, frank, liberal and enterprising. The following story related of him illustrates a pleasant feature of his character : '*At one time there was a scarcity of salt in the country, and Menard held the only supply outside of St. Louis. A ,. number of his neighbors called upon him for what they wanted ; he declined to let them kno^ . whether he could supply them or not, but told them to come to his store on a certain day, wheli he would inform them. They came at the time " appointed, and were seated. Menard passed around among them and inquired of each, *You got money?* Some said they had and some that they had not, but would pay as soon as they killed their hogs. Those who had money he directed to range themselves on one side of the room and those who had none, on the other. Of course, those who had the means expected to get the salt and the others looked very much distressed and crestfallen. Menard then spoke up in his brusque way, and said, 'You men who got de money, can go to St. Louis for your salt. Dese poor men who got no money shall have my salt, by gar.' Such was the man - noble-hearted and large-minded, if unpolished and uncouth." (See Menard, Pierre.)

Removal of the Capital to Vandalia. - At the second session of the Oeneral Assembly, five Commissioners were appointed to select a new site for the State Capital. What is now the city of Vandalia was selected, and, in December, 1820, the entire archives of the State were removed to the new capital, being transported in one small wagon, at a cost of $25.00, under the supervision of the late Sidney Breese, who afterwards became United States Senator and Justice of the Supreme Court. (See State Capitals. )

Assembly, which met at Vandalia, Dec. 4, 1820, a bill was passed establishing a State Bank at Vandalia, with branches at Shawneetown, Edwardsville and Brownsville. John McLean, who had been the first Representative in (ingress, was Speaker of the House at this session. He was twice elected to the United States Senate, though he served only about two years, dying in 1830. (See State Bank.)

Introduction op the Slavery Question. - The second State election, which occurred in August, 1822, proved the beginning of a turbulent period through the introduction of some exciting questions into State politics. There were four candidates for gubernatorial honors in the field: Chief -Justice Phillips, of the Supreme CJourt, supported by the friends of Governor Bond; Associate- Justice Browne, of the same court, supported by the friends of (Jovemor Edwards; Qen. James B. Moore, a noted Indian fighter and the candidate of the "Old Rangers,'* and^dward Cojes. The latter was a native of Xiirginia, .who had sw^ed as private secretary of 'P|esidQnt -^nroe^ and had been employed as a special messenger td Russia. He had made two ^dsitesto IllioQis, the first in 1815 and the second in 1818. Tlie Convention to form a State Constit u- {lon'Whg in^ssion at the date of the latter visit, he took a deep interest in the discussion of the slavery question and exerted his infiuence in securing the adoption of the prohibitory article in the organic law. On April 1, 1810, he started from his home in Virginia to remove to Ekiwardsville, IlL, taking with him his ten slaves. The journey from Brownsville, Pa., was made in two flat-boats to a point below Louisville, where he disembarked, traveling by land to Edwardsville. While descending the Ohio River he surprised his slaves by announcing that they were free. The scene, as described by himself, was most dramatic. Having declined to avail themselves of the privilege of leaving him, he took them with him to his destination, where he eventually gave each head of a family 160 acres of land. Arrived at Edwardsville, he assumed the position of Register of the lAud Office, to which he had been appointed by President Monroe, before leaving Virginia.

The act of Coles with reference to his slaves established his reputation as an opponent of slavery, and it was in this attitude that he stood as a candidate for Governor - both Phillips and Browne being friendly to *'the institution,'' which had had a virtual existence in the '^Illinois Country" from the time Reilault brought 500 slayes to the yicinity of Kaskaskia, one hundred years before. Although the Constitution declared that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall hereafter be introduced into the State," this had not been effectual in eliminating it. In fact, while this Isuiguage was construed, so long as it remained in the Constitution, as prohibiting legislation authorizing the admission of slaves from without, it was not regarded as inimical to the institution as it already existed; and, as the population came largely from the slave States, there had been a rapidly growing sentiment in favor of removing the inhibitory clause. Although the pro-slavery party was divided between two candidates for (Governor, it had hardly contemplated the possibility of defeat, and it was consequently a surprise when the returns showed that Coles was elected, receiving 2.854 votes to 2,687 for PhiUips, 2,448 for Browne and 622 for Moore - Coles' plurality being 167 in a total of 8,606. Coles thus became Qovemor on less than one-third of the popular vote. Daniel P. Cook, who had made the race for Congress at the same election against McLean, as an avowed opponent of slavery, was successful by a majority of 876. (See Coles, Edward; also Cook, Daniel Pope. )

The real struggle was now to occur in the Legislature, which met Dec. 2, 1822. The House organized with William M. Alexander as Speaker, while the Senate elected Thomas Lippincott (afterwards a prominent Presbyterian minister and the father of the late Gen. Charles K Lippincott), Secretary, and Henry S. Dodge, Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk. The other State officers appointed by the Covemor, or elected by the Legislature, were Samuel D. Lockwood, Secretary of State; Elijah C. Berry, Auditor; Abner Field, Treasurer, and James Tumey, Attorney General Lockwood had served nearly two years previously as Attorney-General, but remained in the office of Secretary of State only three months, when he resigned to accept the position of Receiver for the Land Office. (See Lockwood, Samuel Drake. )

The slavery question came up in the Legislature on the reference to a special committee of a portion of the Governor's message, calling attention to the continued existence of slavery in spite of the ordinance of 1787, and recommending that steps be taken for its extinction. Majority and minority reports were submitted, the former claiming the right of the State to amend its Constitution and thereby make such disposition of the slaves as it saw proper. Out of this grew a resolution submitting to the electors at the next election a proposition for a convention to revise the Constitution. This passed the Senate by the necessary two-thirds vote, and, having come up in the House (Feb. 11, 1823), it failed by a single vote - Nicholas Hansen, a Representative from Pike County, whose seat had been unsuccessfully contested by John Shaw at the beginning of the session, being one of those voting in the negative. The next day, without further investigation, the majority proceeded to reconsider its action in seating Hansen two and a half months previously, and Shaw was seated in his place; though, in order to do this, some crooked work was necessary to evade the rules. Shaw being seated, the submission resolution was then passed. No more exciting campaign was ever had in Illinois. Of five papers then published in the State, "The Edwardsville Spectator," edited by Hooper Warren, opposed the measure, being finally reinforced by 'The Illinois Intelligencer," which had been removed to Vandalia; ''The Illinois Gazette,** at Shawneetown, published articles on both sides of the question, though rather favoring the anti-slavery cause, whUe "The Republican Advocate,** at Kaskaskia. the organ of Senator Elias Kent Kane, and "The Republican,** at Edwardsville, under direction of Judge Theophilus W. Smith, Emanuel J. West and Judge Samuel McRoberts (afterwards United States Senator), favored the Convention. The latter paper was established for the especial purpose of supporting the Convention scheme and was promptly discontinued on the defeat of the measure. (See Newspapers, Early.) Among other supporters of the Convention proposition were Senator Jesse B. Thomas, John McLean, Richard M. Young, Judges Phillips, Browne and Reynolds, of the Supreme Court, and many more; while among the leading champions of the opposition, were Judge Lockwood, George Forquer (afterward Secretary of State), Morris Birkbeck, Greorge Chiu'chill, Thomas Mather and Rev. Thomas Lippincott. Daniel P. Cook, then Representative in Congress, was the leading champion of freedom on the stump, while Governor Coles contributed the salary of his entire term ($4,000). as well as his influence, to the support of the cause. Governor Edwards (then in the Senate) was the owner of slaves and occupied a non-committal position. The election was held August 2, 1824, resulting in 4.972 votes for a Convention, to 6,640 against it, defeating the proposition by a majority of 1,668. Considering the size of the aggregate vote (11,612), the result was a decisive one. By it Illinois escaped the greatest danger it ever en-

At the same election Cook was re-elected to Congress by 3,016 majority over Shadrach Bond. The vote for President was divided between John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay and William H. Crawford - Adams receiving a plurality, but much below a majority. The Electoral College failing to elect a President, the decision of the question passed into the hands of the Congressional House of Representatives, when Adams was elected, receiving the vote of Illinois through its only Representative, Mr. Cook.

During the remainder of his term. Governor Coles was made the victim of much vexatious litigation at the hands of his enemies, a verdict being rendered against him in the sum of $2,000 for bringing his emancipated negroes into the State, in violation of the law of 1819. The Legislature having passed an act releasing him from the penalty, it was declared unconstitutional by a malicious Circuit Judge, though his decision was promptly reversed by the Supreme Court. Having lived a few years on his farm near Edwardsville, in 1832 he removed to Philadelphia, where he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring there, July 7, 1868. In the face of opprobrium and defamation, and sometimes in danger of mob violence. Governor Coles performed a service to the State which has scarcely yet been fully recognized. (See Coles, Edward. )

A ridiculous incident of the closing year of CcHea' administration was the attempt of Lieut.- Gov. Frederick Adolphus Hubbard, after having tasted the sweets of executive power during the Governor's temporary absence from the State, to usurp the position after the Governor's return. The ambitious aspirations of the would-be usurper were suppressed by the Supreme Court.

An interesting event of the year 1825, was the visit of General La Fayette to £[askaskia. He was welcomed in an address by Governor Coles, and the event was made the occasion of much festivity by the French citizens of the ancient capitaL (See La Fayette, Visit of. )

The first State House at Vandalia having been destroyed by fire, Dec. 9, 1823, a new one was erected during the following year at a cost of 112,381.50, toward which the people of Vandalia contributed $5,000.

Edwards' Administration. - The State election of 1826 resulted in again calling Ninian Edwards to the gubernatorial chair, which he had filled during nearly the whole of the existence of Illinois as a Territory. Elected one of the first United States Senators, and re-elected for a second term in 1819, he had resigned this office in 1824 to accept the position of Minister to Mexico, by appointment of President Monroe. Having become involved in a controversy with William H. Crawford, Secretary of the Treasury, he resigned the Mexican mission, and, after a period of retirement to private life for the first time after he came to Illinois, he appealed to the people of the State for endorsement, with the result stated. His administration was uneventful except for the "Winnebago War," which caused considerable commotion on the frontier, without resulting in much bloodshed. Governor Edwards was a fine specimen of the "old school gentleman" of that period - dignified and polished in his manners, courtly and precise in his address, proud and ambitious, with a tendency to the despotic in his bearing in consequence of having been reared in a slave State and his long connection with the executive office. His early educa* tion had been und^r the direction of the celebrated William Wirt, between whom and himself a close friendsliip existed. He was wealthy for the time, being an extensive landowner as well as slave-holder and the proprietor of stores and mills, which were managed by agents, but he lost heavily by bad debts. He was for many years a close friend of Hooper Warren, the pioneer printer, furnishing the material with which the latter published his papers at Springfield and Galena. At the expiration of his term of office near the close of 1830, he retired to his home at Belleville, where, after making an unsuccessful campaign for Congress in 1832, in which he was defeated by Charles Slade, he died of cholera, July 20, 1833. (See Edwards^ Ninian. )

William Kinney, of Belleville, who was a candidate for Lieutenant-Governor on the ticket opposed to Edwards, was elected over Samuel M. Thompson. In 1830, Kinney became a candidate for Governor but was defeated by John Reynolds, known as the "Old Ranger." One of the arguments used against Kinney in this campaign was that, in the Legislature of 1823, he was one of three members who voted against the Illinois & Michigan Canal, on the ground that "it (the canal) would make an opening for the Yankees to come to the country."

During Edwards* administration the first steps were taken towards the erection of a State penitentiary at Alton, funds therefor being secured by the sale of a portion of the saline lands in Gallatin County. (See Alton Penitentiary.) The first

Commissioners haTing charge of its construction were Shadrach Bond, William P. McKee and Dr. Gershom Jayne - ^the last-named the father of Dr. William Jayne of Springfield, and father-inlaw of the late Senator Lyman Trmnbull.

Governor Reynolds - Black Hawk War. - The election of 1880 resulted in the choice of John Reynolds for Governor over William Kinney, by a majority of 8.899, in a total vote of 49,061, while Zadoo Casey, the candidate on the Kinney ticket, was elected Lieutenant-Governor. (See Reynolds, John.)

The most important event of Reynolds* administration was the **Black-Hawk War." Eight thousand militia were called out during this war to reinforce 1,500 regular troops, the final result being the driving of 400 Indians west of the Mississippi. Rock Island, which had been the favorite rallying point of the Indians for generations, was the central point at the beginning of this war. It is impossible to give the details of this complicated struggle, wliich was protracted through two campaigns (1881 and 1882), though there was no fighting worth speaking of except in the last, and no serious loss to the whites in that, except the surprise and defeat of Stillman's command. Beardstown was the base of operations in each of these campaigns, and that city has probably never witnessed such scenes of bustle and excitement since. The Indian village at Rock Island was destroyed, and the fugitives, after being pursued through Northern Illinois and Southwestern Wisconsin without being allowed to surrender, were driven beyond the Mississippi in a famishing condition and with spirits completely broken. Galena, at that time the emporium of the "Lead Mine Region,** and the largest town in the State north of Springfield, was the center of great excitement, as the war was waged in the region surrounding it. (See Black Hawk War.) Although cool judges have not regarded this campaign as reflecting honor upon either the prowess or the magnanimity of the whites, it was remarkable for the number of those connected with it whose names afterwards became famous in the history of the State and the Nation. Among them were two who afterwards became Presidents of the United States - Col. Zachary Taylor of the regular army, and Abraham Lincoln, a Captain in the State militia - besides Jefferson Davis, then a Lieutenant in the regular army and afterwards head of the Southern Confederacy; three subsequent Governors - Duncan, Carlin and Ford - besides Governor Reynolds, who at that time occupied the gubernatorial chair; James Semple, afterwards United States Senator ; John T. Stuart, Lincoln's law preceptor and partner, and later a Member of Congress, to say nothing of many others, who, in after years, occupied prominent positions as members of Congress, the Legislature or otherwise. Among the latter were Qen. John J. Hardin; the late Joseph Gillespie, of Edwardsville ; CoL John Dement ; William Thomas of Jacksonville; Lieut. -Col. Jacob Fry; Henry Dodge and others.

Under the census of 1880, Illinois became entitled to three Representatives in Congress instead of one, by whom it had been represented from the date of its admission as a State. Lieutenant-Governor Casey, having been elected to the Twenty-third Congress for the Second District under the new apportionment, on March 1, 1883, tendered his resignation of the Lieutenant- Governorship, and was succeeded by William L. D. Ewing, Temporary President of the Senate. (See Apportionment, Congressional; Casey, Zadoc, and Representatives in Congress.) Within two weeks of the close of his term (Nov. 17, 1834), Governor Reynolds followed the example of his associate in office by resigning the Gk)vemorship to accept the seat in Congress for the First (or Southern) District, which had been rendered vacant by the death of Hon. Charles Slade, the incumbent in office, in July previous. This opened the way for a new promotion of acting Lieutenant-Governor Ewing, who thus had the distinction of occupying the gubernatorial office for the brief space of .two weeks. (See Reynolds, John, and Slade, Charles. ) .

Ewing probably held a greater variety of offices under the State, than any other man who ever lived in it. Repeatedly elected to each branch of the General Assembly, he more than once filled the chair of Speaker of the House and President of the Senate; served as Acting Lieutenant-Governor and Governor by virtue of the resignation of his superiors; was United States Senator from 1885 to 1837; still later became Clerk of the House where he had presided as Speaker, finally, in 1843, being elected Auditor of Public Accounts, and dying in that office three years later. In less than twenty years, he held eight or ten different ofijces, including the highest in the State. (See Ewing, WUliam Lee Davidson.)

Duncan's Administration. - Joseph Duncan, who had served the State as its only Representative in three Congresses, was elected Governor, August, 1884, over foiu* competitors - William

His administration was made memorable by the large number of distinguished men who either entered public life at this period or gained additional prominence by their connection with public affairs. Among these were Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas; Col. £. D. Baker, who afterward and at different times represented Illinois and Oregon in the councils of the Nation, and who fell at Ball's Bluff in 1862; Orville H. Browning, a prospective United States Senator and future cabinet officer; Lieut. -Oo v. John Dougherty; G^n. James Shields, Col. John J. Hardin, Archibald Williams, Cyrus and Ninian W. Edwards; Dr. John Logan, father of Gen. John A. Logan; Stephen T. Logan, and many more.

During this administration was begun that gigantic scheme of '^internal improvements,'* which proved so disastrous to the financial interests of the State. The estimated cost of the various works undertaken, was over 111,000,000, and though little of substantial value was realized, yet, in 1852, the debt (principal and inter- - est) thereby incurred (including that of* th^ canal), aggregated nearly $17,000,000. Th0 col- * lapse of the scheme was. no doubt, hastened by the unexpected suspension of specie payments by the banks all over the country, which followed soon after its adoption. (See Internal Improvement Policy-, also State Debt.)

Capital Removed to SPRiNOPiELD. - At the session of the (General Assembly of 1886-87, an act was passed removing the State capital to Springfield, and an appropriation of $50,000 was made to erect a building ; to this amount the city of Springfield added a like sum, besides donating a site. In securing the passage of these acts, the famous "Long Nine," consisting of A. G. Hemdon and Job Fletcher, in the Senate ; and Abraham Lincoln, Ninian W. Edwards, John Dawson, Andrew McCormick, Dan Stone, William F. Elkin and Robert L. Wilson, in the House - all Representatives from Sangamon Coimty - ^played a leading part.

The Murder op Lovejoy. - An event occurred near the close of Governor Duncan's term, which left a stain upon the locality, but for which his administration had no direct responsibility; towit, the murder of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, by a pro-slavery mob at Alton. Lovejoy was a native of Maine, who, coming to St. Louis in 1827, had been employed upon various papers, the last being "The St. Louis Observer. " The outspoken hostility of this paper to slavery aroused a bitter local opposition which led to its removal to Alton, where the first nimiber of *^The Alton Observer" was issued, Sept. 8, 1886, though not until one press and a considerable portion of the material had been destroyed by a mob. On the night of August 21, 1887, there was a second destruction of. the material, when a third press having been procured, it was taken from the warehouse and thrown into the Mississippi. A fourth press was ordered, and, pending its arrival, Lovejoy appeared before a public meeting of his opponents and, in an impassioned address, maintained his right to freedom of speech, declaring in conclusion: *'If the civil authorities refuse to protect me, I must look to God; and if I die, I have determined to make my grave in Alton. " These words proved prophetic. The new press was stored in the warehouse of Godfrey, Gillman & Co., on the night of Nov. 6, 1837. A g^uard of sixty volunteers remained about the building the next day, but when night came all but nineteen retired to their homes. During the night a mob attacked the building, ""^ehlrsfaat^lromthe inside killed Lyman Bishop. JVlp ^t^mpt was then made by the rioters to fire tuef"wad3h(^use by sending a man to the roof. To pledge the incendiary, Lovejoy, with two others, emerged ^trom the building, when two or three men in concealment fired upon him, the shots taking effect in a vital part of his body, causing his death almost instantly. He was buried the following day without an inquest. Several of the attacking party and the defenders of the building were tried for riot and acquitted - ^the former probably on account of popular sympathy with the crime, and the latter because they were guiltless of any crime except that of defending private property and attempting to preserve the law. The act of firing the fatal shots has been charged upon two men - a Dr. Jennings and his comrade. Dr. BealL The former, it is said, was afterwards cut to pieces in a bar-room fight in Vicksburg, Miss., while the latter, having been captured by Comanche Indians in Texas, was burned alive. On the other hand, Lovejoy has been honored as a martyr and the sentiments for which he died have triumphed. (See Lcmejoy, Elijah Pariah; also Alton Riots.)

Carlin Succeeds to the Governorship. - Duncan was succeeded by Gov. Thomas Carlin, who was chosen at the election of 1888 over Cyrus Edwards (a younger brother of Gov. Ninian Edwards), who was the Whig candidate.

The successful candidate for Lieutenant-Governor was Stinson H. Anderson of Jefferson Ck>unty. (See Carlin, (Oov.) Thomas; Anderson, Stinson H.)

Among the members of the Legislature chosen at this time we find the names of Orville H. Browning, Robert Blackwell, Greorge Churchill, William G. Gatewood, Ebenezer Peck (of Ckx)k County), "William A. Richardson, Newton Cloud, J<Mse K. Dubois, O. B. Ficklin, Vital Jarrot, John Logan, William F. Thornton and Archibald Williams - all men of prominence in the subsequent history of the State. This was the last Legislature that assembled at Vandalia, Springfield becoming the capital, July 4, 1889. The comer-stone of the first State capitol at Springfield was laid with imposing ceremonies, July 4, 1837, Col. E. D. Baker delivering an eloquent address. Its estimated cost was $180,000, but $240,000 was expended upon it before its completion.

An incident of this campaign was the election to (Ik)ngre88, after a bitter struggle, of John T. Stuart over Stephen A. Douglas from the Third District, by a majority of fourteen votes. Stuart was re-elected in 18^, but in 1842 he was succeeded, under a new apportionment, by Col. John J. Hardin, while Douglas, elected from the Quincy District, then entered the National Coimcils for the first time.

Field-McClernand Contest. - An exciting event connected with Carlin's administration was the attempt to remove Alexander P. Field from the office of Secretary of State, which he had held since 1828. Under the <:k)nstitution of 1818, this office was filled by nomination by the Governor "with the advice and consent of the Senate." Carlin nominated John A. McClernand to supersede Field, but the Senate refused to confirm the nomination. After adjournment of the Legislature, McClernand attempted to obtain possession of the office by writ of quo warranto. The Judge of a Circuit Court decided the case in his favor, but this decision was overruled by the Supreme Court. A special session having been called, in November, 1840, Stephen A. Douglas, then of Morgan <Ik>unty, was nominated and confirmed Secretary of State, but held tlie position only a few months, when he resigned to accept a place on the Supreme bench, being succeeded as Secretary by Lyman Trumbull.

Supreme Court Revolutionized. - Certain decisions of some of the lower courts about this time, bearing upon the suffrage of aliens, excited the apprehension of the Democrats, who had heretofore been in political control of the State, and a movement was started in the Legislature to reorganize the Supreme Court, a majority of whom were Whigs. The Democrats were not imanimous in favor of the measure, but, after a bitter struggle, it was adopted, receiving a bare majority of one in the House. Under this act five additional Judges were elected, viz. : Thomas Ford, Sidney Breese, Walter B. Scates, Samuel H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas - all Democrats. Mr. Ford, one of the new Judges, and afterwards Governor, has characterized this step as *^a confessedly violent and somewhat revolutionary measure, which could never have succeeded except in times of great party excitement."

The great Whig mass-meeting at Springfield, in June, 1840, was an incident of the political campaign of that year. No such popular assemblage had ever been seen in the State before. It is estimated that 20,000 people - nearly five per cent of the entire population of the State - were present, including a large delegation from Chicago who marched overland, imder command of the late Ma j. -Gen. David Hunter, bearing with them many devices so popular in that memorable campaign.

Ford Elected Governor. - Judge Thomas Ford became the Democratic candidate for Grovemor in 1842, taking the place on the ticket of Col. Adam W. Snyder, who had died after nomination. Ford was elected by more than 8,000 majority over ex-Governor Duncan, the Whig candidate. John Moore, of McLean County (who had been a member of the Legislature for several terms and was afterwards State Treasurer), was elected Lieutenant-Governor. (See Ford, Thomas; Snyder, Adam W., and Moore, John.)

Embarrassing Questions. - The failure of the State and the Shawneetown banks, near the close of Carlin^s administration, had produced a condition of business depression that was felt all over the State. At the beginning of Ford's administration, the State debt was estimated at $15,657,- 950 - within about one million of the highest point it ever reached - while the total population was a little over half a million. In addition to these drawbacks, the Mormon question became a source of embarrassment. Thb people, after liaving been driven from Missouri, settled at Nauvoo, in Hancock County; they increased rapidly in numbers, and, by the arrogant course of their leaders and their odious doctrines - especially with reference to **celestial marriage," and their assumptions of authority - aroused the bitter hostility of neighboring communities not of their faith. The popular indignation became greatly intensified by the course of unscruptdous politicians and the granting to the Mormons, by the Legislature, of certain charters and special privileges. Various charges were made against the obnoxious sect, including rioting, kidnaping, robbery, counterfeiting, etc., and tliiB Qovemor called out the militia of the neighboring counties to preserve the peace. Joseph Smith - the founder of the sect - with his brother Hyrum and three others, were induced to surrender to the authorities at Carthage, on the 28d of June, 1844, under promise of protection of their persons. Then the charge was changed to treason and they were thrown into jail, a guard of eight men being placed about the building. A considerable portion of the militia had disbanded and returned home, while others were openly hostile to the prisoners. On June 27 a band of 150 disguised men attacked the jail, finding little opposition among those set to guard it. In the assault which followed both of the Smiths were killed, while John Taylor, another of the prisoners, was wounded. The trial of the murderers was a farce and they were acquitted. A state of virtual war continued for a year, in which Governor Ford's authority was openly defied or treated with contempt by those whom he had called upon to preserve the peace. In the fall of 1845 the Mormons agreed to leave the State, and the following spring the pilgrimage to Salt Lake began. G^n. John J. Hardin, who afterward fell at Buena Vista, was twice called on by Governor Ford to head parties of militia to restore order, while Gen. Mason Brayman conducted the negotiations which resulted in the promise of removal. The great body of the refugees spent the following winter at Council Bluffo, Iowa, arriving at Salt Lake in June following. Another considerable body entered the service of the Government to obtain safe conduct and sustenance across the plains. While the conduct of the Mormons during their stay at Nauvoo was, no doubt, very irritating and often lawless, it is eqiially true that the disordered condition of affairs was taken advantage of by unscrupulous demagogues for dishonest purposes, and this episode has left a stigma upon the name of more than one over-zealous anti- Mormon hero. (See Mormons; Smith, Joseph.)

Though Governor Ford's integrity and ability in certain directions have not been questioned, his administration was not a successful one, largely on account of the conditions which prevailed at the time and the embarrassments which he met from his own party. (See Ford, Thomas.) Mexican War. - A still more tragic chapter opened during the last year of Ford's administration, in the beginning of the war with Mexico. Three regiments of twelve months' volunteers, called for by the General Government from the State of Illinois, were furnished with alacrity, and many more men offered their services than cotdd be accepted. The names of their respective commanders - Cols. John J. Hardin, William H. Bissell and Ferris Forman - have been accorded a high place in the annals of the State and the Nation. Hardin was of an honorable Kentucky family ; he had achieved distinction at the bar and served in the State Legislature and in Congress, and his death on the battlefield of Buena Vista was universally deplored. (See Hardin, John J.) Bissell afterward served with distinction in Congress and was the first Republican Governor of Illinois, elected in 1856. Edward D. Baker, then a Whig member of Congress, received authority to raise an additional regiment, and laid the foundation of a reputation as broad as the Nation. Two other regiments were raised in the State **for the war" during the next year, led respectively by Col. Edward W. B. Newby and James Ck)llins, beside four independent companies of mounted volunteers. The whole number of volunteers furnished by Illinois in this conflict was 6.123, of whom 86 were killed, and 182 wounded, 12 dying of their wounds. Their loss in killed was greater than that of any other State, and the number of wounded only exceeded by those from South Carolina and Pennsylvania. Among other lllinoisans who participated in this struggle, were Thomas L. Harris, William A. Richardson, J. L. D. Morrison, Murray F. Tuley and Charles C. P. Holden, while still others, either in the ranks or in subordinate positions, received the * 'baptism of fire" which prepared them to win distinction as commanders of corps, divisions, brigades and regiments during the War of the Rebellion, including such names as John A. Logan, Richard J. Oglesby, Benjamin M. Prentiss, James D. Morgan, W. H. L. Wallace (who fell at Pittsburg Landing), Stephen G. Hicks, Michael K. Lawler, Leonard F. Ross, Isham N. Haynie, Theophilus Lyle Dickey, Dudley Wickersham, Isaac C. Pugh, Thomas H. Flynn, J. P. Post, Nathaniel Niles, W. R. Morrison, and others. (See Mexican War.)

French's Administration-Massac Rebellion. - Except for the Mexican War, which was still in progress, and acts of mob violence in certain portions of the State - especially bv a band of self* gtyled ''regulators" in Pope and Massac Counties - ^the administration of Augustus C. French, which began with the close of the year 1846, was a quiet one. French was elected at the previous August election by a vote of 68,700 to 86,775 for Thpmas M. Kilpatrick, the Whig candidate, and 5,112 for Richard Eels, the Free-Soil (or Abolition) candidate. The Whigs held their first State Convention this year for the nomination of a State ticket, meeting at Peoria. At the same election Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress, defeating Peter Cartwright, the famous pioneer Methodist preacher, who was the Democratic candidate. At the session of the Legislature which followed, Stephen A. Douglas was elected to the United States Senate as successor to James Semple.

New Ck>NVENTiON Movement. - Governor French was a native of New Hampshire, bom August 2, 1808; he had practiced his profession as a lawyer in Crawford County, had been a member of the Tenth and Eleventh General Assemblies and Receiver of the Land Office at Palestine. The State had now begun to recover from the depression caused by the reverses of 1837 and subsequent years, and for some time its growth in population had been satisfactory. The old Constitution, however, had been felt to be a hampering influence, especially in dealing with the State debt, and, as early as 1842, the question of a State Convention to frame a new Constitution had been submitted to popular vote, but was defeated by the narrow margin of 1,039 votes. The Legislature of 1844-45 adopted a resolution for resubmission, and at the election of 1846 it was approved by the people by a majority of 85,826 in a total vote of 81,352. The State then contained ninety-nine counties, with an aggregate population of 662,150. The assessed valuation of property one year later was $92,206,493, while the State debt was $16,661,795 - or more than eighteen per cent of the entire assessed value of the property of the State.

Constitutional Convention of 1847. - The election of members of a State Convention to form a second Constitution for the State of Illinois, was held April 19, 1847. Of one hundred and sixty-two members chosen, ninety-two were Democrats, leaving seventy members to all shades of the opposition. The Convention assembled at Springfield, Jime 7, 1847; it was organized by the election of Newton Cloud, Permanent President, and concluded its labors after a session of nearly three months, adjourning August 31. The Constitution was submitted to a vote of the people, March 6, 1848, and was rati fied by 59,887 votes in its favor to 15,859 against. A special article prohibiting free persons of color from settling in the State was adopted by 49,060 votes for, to 20,883 against it; and another, providing for a two-mill tax, by 41,017 for, to 80,586 against. The Constitution went into effect April 1, 1848. (See Constitutions; also Constitutional Convention of 1847.)

The provision imposing a special two-mill tax, to be applied to the payment of the State indebtedness, was the means of restoring the State credit, while that prohibiting the immigration of free persons of color, though in accordance with the spirit of the times, brought upon the State much opprobrium 4Uid was repudiated with emphasis during the War of the Rebellion. The demand for retrenchment, caused by the financial depression following the wild legislation of 1837, led to the adoption of many radical provisions in the new Constitution, some of which were afterward found to be serious errors opening the way for gp^ve abuses. Among these was the practical limitation of the biennial sessions of the General Assembly to forty-two days, while the per diem of members was fixed at two dollars. The salaries of State officers were also fixed at what would now be recognized as an absurdly low figure, that of Governor being 11,500; Supreme Court Judges, $1,200 each; Circuit Judges, $1,000; State Auditor, $1,000; Secretary of State, and State Treasurer, $800 each. Among less objectionable provisions were those restricting the right of suffrage to white male citizens above the age of 21 years, which excluded (except as to residents of the State at the time of the adoption of the Constitution) a class of unnaturalized foreigners who had exercised the privilege as '* inhabitants" under the Constitution of 1818; providing for the election of all State, judicial and county officers by popular vote; prohibiting the State from incurring indebtedness in excess of $50,000 without a special vote of the people, or granting the credit of the State in aid of any individual association or corporation; fixing the date of the State election on the Tuesday after the first Monday in Ndvember in every fourth year, instead of the firs*^ Monday in August, as had been the rule under the old Constitution. The tenure of office of all State officers was fixed at four years, except that of State Treasurer, which was made two years, and the Governor alone was made ineligible to immediate re-election. The number of members of the General Assembly was fixed at twenty-five

John M. Hamilton

As the Constitution of 1818 had been modeled upon the form then most popular in the Southern States - especially with reference to the large number of officers made appointive by the (Governor, or elective by the Legislature - so the new Constitution was, in some of its features, more in harmony with those of other Northern States, and indicated the growing influence of New England sentiment. This was especially the case with reference to the section providing for a system of township organization in the several counties of the State at the pleasure of a majority of the voters of each county.

Elections op 1848. - Besides the election for the ratification of the State Constitution, three other State elections were held in 1848, viz. : (1) for the election of State officers in August ; (2) an election of Judges in September, and -{%) 4be Presidential election in November. At the ioA ' of these. Governor French, whose first term»4A4- , been cut short two years by the adoption of the new Constitution, was re-elected for & seootM^. term, practically without opposition^ the. yoW against him being divided between Pierre Menard and Dr. C. V. Dyer. French thus became his own successor, being the first Illinois Governor to be reelected, and, though two years of his first term had been cut off by the adoption of the Constitution, he served in the gubernatorial office six years. The other State officers elected, were William McMurtry, of Knox, Lieutenant- GJovemor; Horace S. uooley, of Adams, Secretary of State; Thomas H. Campbell, of Randolph, Auditor; and Milton Carpenter, of EUimilton, State Treasurer - all Democrats, and all but McMurtry being their own successors. At the Presidential election ih November, the electoral vote was given to Lewis Cass, the, Democratic candidate, who received 56,300 votes, to 58,047 for Taylor, the Whig candidate, and 15,774 for Martin Van Buren, the candidate of the Free Democracy or Free-Soil party. Thus, for the first time in the history of the State after 1824, the Democratic candidate for President failed to receive an absolute majority of the popular vote, being in a minority of 12,521, while having a plurality over the Whig candidate of 8,253. The only noteworthy results in the election of Congressmen this year were the election of Col. E. D. Baker (Whig), from the Galena District, and that of Maj. Thomas L. Harris (Democrat), from the Springfield District. Both Baker and Harris had been soldiers in the Mexican War, which probably accounted for their election in Districts usually opposed to them politically. The other five Congressmen elected from the State at the same time - including John Wentworth, then chosen for a fourth term from the Chicago District - were Democrats. The Judges elected to the Supreme bench were Lyman Trumbull, from the Southern Division; Samuel H. Treat, from the Central, and John Dean Caton, from the Northern - all Democrats.

A leading event of this session was the election of a United States Senator in place of Sidney Breese. Gen. James Shields, who had been severely wounded on the battle-field of Cerro Gordo; Sidney Breese, who had been the United States Senator for six years, and John A. Mc- Clemand, then a member of Congress, were arrayed against each other before the Democratic caucus. After a bitter contest, Shields was <d^c}e^ed the choice of his party and was finally ' elected. Ha did not inmiediately obtain his seat, jhoireyer. (In presentation of his credentials, after a heated controversy in Congress and out of it, iQ/whiclj he injudiciously assailed his predecessor in very intemperate language, he was dedafed^ ineligible on the ground that, being of foreign birth, the nine years of citizenship required by the Constitution after naturalization had not elapsed previous to his election. In October, following, the Legislature was called together in special session, and, Shields* disability having now been removed by the expiration of the constitutional period, he was re-elected, though not without a renewal of the bitter contest of the regular session. Another noteworthy event of this special session was the adoption of a joint resolution favoring the principles of the '*Wilmot Proviso." Although this was rescinded at the next regular session, on the ground that che points at issue had been settled in the Compromise measures of 1850, it indicated the drift of sentiment in Illinois toward opposition to the spread of the institution of slavery, and this was still more strongly emphasized by the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

Illinois Central Railroad. - Two important measures which passed the General Assembly at the session of 1851, were the Free-Banking Law, and the act incorporating the Illinois Central Railroad Company. The credit of first suggesting this great thoroughfare has been claimed for William Smith Waite, a citizen of Bond County, 111., as early as 1835, although a special charter for a road over a part of this line had been passed by the Legislature in 1834. W. K. Ackerman, in his * 'Historical Sketch" of the Illinois Central Railroad, awards the credit of originating this enterprise to Lieut. -Gov. Alexander M. Jenkins, in the Legislature of 1832, of which he was a member, and Speaker of the House at the time. He afterwards became President of the first Illinois Central Railroad Company, organized under an act passed at the session of 1836, which provided for the construction of a line from Cairo to Peru, 111., but resigned the next year on the surrender by the road of its charter. The first step toward legislation in Congress on this subject was taken in the introduction, by Senator Breese, of a bill in March, 1843 ; but it was not until 1850 that the measure took the form of a direct grant of lands to the State, finally passing the Senate in May, and the House in September, following. The act ceded to the State of Illinois, for the purpose of aiding in the construction of a line of railroad from the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi, with branches to Chicago and Dubuque, Iowa, respectively, alternate sections of land on each side of said railroad, aggregating 2,595,000 acres, the length of the main line and branches exceeding seven himdred miles. An act incorporating the Illinois Central Railroad Company passed the Illinois Legislature in February, 1851. The company was thereupon promptly organized with a number of New York capitalists at its head, including Robert Schuyler, Qeorge Griswold and Gouvemeur Morris, and the grant was placed in the hands of trustees to be used for the purpose designated, under the pledge of the Company to build the road by July 4, 1854, and to pay seven per cent of its gross earnings into the State Treasury perpetually. A large proportion of the line was constructed through sections of country either sparsely settled or wholly unpopulated, but which have since become among the richest and most populous portions of the State. The fund already received by the State from the road exceeds the amount of the State debt incurred under the internal improvement scheme of 1837. (See Illinois Central Railroad.) Election of 1852. - Joel A. Matteson (Democrat) was elected Governor at the November election, in 1852, receiving 80,645 votes to 64,405 for Edwin B. Webb, Whig, and 8,809 for Dexter A. Knowlton, Free-Soil. The other State officers elected, were Gustavus Koemer, Lieutenant- Governor ; Alexander Stame, Secretary of State ; Thomas H. Campbell, Auditor ; and John Moore, Treasurer. The Whig candidates for these offices, respectively, were James L. D. Morrison, Buckner S. Morns, Charles A. Betts and Francis Arenz. John A. Logan appeared among the new members of the House chosen at this election as a Representative from Jackson County; while Henry W. Blodgett, since United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, and late Counsel of the American Arbitrators of the Behring Sea Commission, was the only Free-Soil member, being the Representative from Lake Coimty. John Reynolds, who had been Governor, a Justice of the Supreme Court and Member of Congress, was a member of the House and was elected Speaker. (See Webb, Edwin B.; Knotblton, Dexter A.; Koemer, Oustatms; Stame, Alexander; Moore, John; Morrison, James L. D.; Morris, Buckner S.; Arenz, Francis A. ; Blodgett Henry W,)

Reduction "of State Debt Begins. - The State debt reached its maximum at the beginning of Matteson's administration, amounting to 116,724,177, of which $7,259,822 was canal debt. The State had now entered upon a new and prosperous period, and, in the next four years, the debt was reduced by the sum of $4,564,840, leaving the amount outstanding, Jan. 1, 1857, $12,834,144. The three State institutions at Jacksonville - the Asylums for the Deaf and Dumb, the Blind and Insane - had been in successful operation several years, but now internal dissensions and dissatisfaction with their management seriously interfered with their prosperity and finally led to revolutions which, for a time, impaired their usefulness.

Kansas-Nebraska Excitement. - During Matteson's administration a period of political tpccitement began, caused by the introduction in the United States Senate, in January, 1854, by Senator Douglas, of Illinois, of the bill for the repeal of the Missouri Compromise - otherwise known as the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. Although this belongs rather to National history, the prominent part played in it by an Illinois statesman who had won applause three or four years before, by the service he had performed in securing the passage of the Illinois Central Railroad grant, and the effect which his course had in revolutionizing the politics of the State, justifies reference to it here. After a debate, almost unprecedented in bitterness, it became a law. May 80, 1854. The agitation in Illinois was intense. At Chicago, Douglas was practically denied a hearing. Going to Springfield, where the State Fair was in progress, during the first week of October, 1854, he made a speech in the

State Capitol in his defense. This was replied to by Abraham Lincoln, then a private citizen, to whom Douglas made a rejoinder. Speeches were also made in criticism of Douglas' position by Judges Breese and Trumbull (both of whom had been prominent Democrats), and other Democratic leaders were understood to be ready to assail the champion of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, though they afterwards reversed their position under partisan pressure and became supporters of the measure. The first State Convention of the opponents of the Nebraska Bill was held at the same time, but the attendance was small and the attempt to effect a permanent organization was not successful. At the session of the Nineteenth Cteneral Assembly, which met in January, following, Lyman Trumbull was chosen the first Republican United States Senator from Illinois, in place of General Shields, whose term was about to expire. Trumbull was elected on tne tenth ballot, receiving fifty-one votes to forty-seven for Governor Matteson, though Lincoln had led on the Republican side at every previous ballot, and on the first had come within six votes of an election. Although he was then the choice of a large majority of the opposition to the Democratic candidate, when Lincoln saw that the original supporters of Trumbull would not cast their votes for himself, he generously insisted that his friends should support his rival, thus determining the result. (See Matteson, Joel A,; Trumbull, Lyman, and Lincoln, AbraJiam.)

Decatur Editorial Convention. - On Feb. 22, 1856, occurred the convention of Anti-Nebraska (Republican) editors at Decatur, which proved the first effective step in consolidating the opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Bill into a compact political organization. The main business of this convention consisted in the adoption of a series of resolutions defining the position of their authors on National questions - especially with reference to the institution of slavery - ^and appointing a State Convention to be held at Bloomington, May 29, following. A State (Antral Committee to represent the new party was also appointed at this convention. With two or three exceptions the Ck>mmitteemen accepted and joined in the call for the State Convention, which was held at the time designated, when the first Republican State ticket was put in the field. Among the distinguished men who participated in this Convention were Abraham Lincoln, O. H. Browning, Richard Yates, Owen Love joy, John M. Palmer, Isaac N. Arnold and John Wentworth. Palmer presided, while Abraham Lincoln, who was one of the chief speakers, was one of the delegates appointed to the National Convention, held at Philadelphia on the 17th of June. The candidates put in nomination for State offices were: William H. Bissell for Governor; Francis A. Hoffman for Lieutenant-Governor (afterward replaced by John, Wood on account of Hoffman's ineligibility); Ozias M. Hatch for Secretary of State; Jesse K. Dubois for Auditor; James H. Miller for State Treasurer, and William H. Powell for Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Democratic ticket was composed of William A. Richardson for Governor; R. J. Hamilton, Lieutenant-Governor; W. H. Snyder, Secretary of State; S. K. Casey, Auditor; John Moore, Treasurer, and J. H. St. Matthew, Superintendent of Public Instruction. The American organization also nominated a ticket headed by Buckner S. Morris for Governor. Although the Democrats carried the State for Buchanan, their candidate for President, by a plurality of 9,159, the entire Republican State ticket was elected by pluralities ranging from 3,081 to 20,218 - the latter being the majority for Miller, candidate for State Treasurer, whose name was on both the Republican and American tickets. (See Anti-Nebraska Editorial Convention, and Bloomington Convention of 1866.)

Administration of Governor Bissell. - With the inauguration of Governor Bissell. the Republican party entered upon the control of the State Government, which was maintained without interruption imtil the close of the administration of Governor Fifer, in January, 1893 - ^a period of thirty-six years. On account of physical disability Bisseirs inauguration took place in the executive mansion, Jan. 12, 1857. He was immediately made the object of virulent personal abuse in the House, being charged with perjury in taking the oath of office in face of the fact that, while a member of Congress, he had accepted a challenge to fight a duel with Jefferson Davis. To this, the reply was made that the offense charged took place outside of the State and beyond the legal jurisdiction of the Constitution of Illinois. CQqq Bissell, William H.)

While the State continued to prosper under Bissell's administration, the most important events of this period related rather to general than to State policy. One of these was the delivery by Abraham Lincoln, in the Hall of Representatives, on the evening of June 17, 1858, of the celebrated speech in which he announced the doctrine that **a house divided against itself cannot stand." This was followed during the next few months by the series of memorable debates between those two great champions of their respective parties - Lincoln and Douglas - ^which attracted the attention of the whole land. The result was the re-election of Douglas to the United States Senate for a third term, but it also made Abraham Lincoln President of the United States. (See Lincoln and Douglas Debates.)

About the middle of Bissell's term (February, 1859), came the discovery of what has since been known as the celebrated '*C!anal Scrip Fraud." This consisted in the fraudulent funding in State bonds of a large amount of State scrip which had been issued for temporary purposes during the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, but which had been subsequently redeemed. A legislative investigation proved the amount illegally funded to have been $223,183, and that the bulk of the bonds issued therefor - so far as they could be traced - had been delivered to ex-Gov. Joel A. Matteson. For this amoimt, with accrued interest, he gave to the State an indemnity bond, secured by real-estate mortgages, from which the State eventually realized $238,000 out of $255,000 then due. Further investigation proved additional frauds of like character, aggregating $165,346, which the State never recovered. An attempt was made to prosecute Matteson criminally in the Sangamon County Circuit Court, but the grand jury failed, by a close vote, to find an indictment against him. (See Canal Scrip Fraud. )

An attempt was made during Bissell's administration to secure the refunding (at par and in violation of an existing law) of one hundred and fourteen $1,000 bonds hypothecated with Macalister & Stebbins of New York in 1841. and for which the State had received an insignificant consideration. The error was discovered when new bonds for the principal had been issued, but the process was immediately stopped and the new bonds surrendered - the claimants being limited by law to 28.64 cents on the dollar. This subject is treated at length elsewhere in this volume. (See Macalister & Stebbins Bonds. ) GJovemor Bisseirs administration was otherwise uneventful, although the State continued to prosper under it as it had not done since the * internal improvement craze" of 1837 had resulted in imposing such a burden of debt upon it. At the time of his election Governor Bisseil was an invalid in consequence of an injury to his spine, from which he never recovered. He died in office, March 18, 1860, a little over two months after having entered lipon the last year of his term of office, and was succeeded by Lieut. -Gov. John Wood, who served out the unexpired term. (See BisscK, William H.; also Wood, John.)

PouTiCAL Campaign op I860. - The political campaign of 1860 was one of unparalleled excitement throughout the nation, but especially in Illinois, which became, in a certain sense, the chief battle-ground, furnishing the successful candidate for the Presidency, as well as being the State in which the convention which nominated him met The Republican State Convention, held at Decatur, May 9, put in nomination Richard Yates of Morgan County, for Governor; Francis A. Hoffman for Lieutenant-Governor, O. M. Hatch for Secretary of State, Jesse K, Dubois for Auditor, William Butler for Treasurer, and Newton Bateman for Superintendent of Public Instruction. If this campaign was memorable for its excitement, it was also memorable for the large number of National and State tickets in the field. The National Republican Convention assembled at Chicago, May 16, and, on the third ballot, Abraham Lincoln was nominated for President amid a whirlwind of enthusiasm unsurpassed in the history of National Conventions, of which so many have been held in the "convention city** of the Northwest. The campaign was what might have been expected from such a beginning. Lincoln, though receiving consid^- ably less than one-half the popular vote, had a plurality over his highest competitor of nearly half a million votes, and a majority in the electoral colleges of fifty-seven. In Illinois he received 172,161 votes to 160,215 for Douglas, his leading opponent. The vote for Governor stood: Yates (Republican), 172,196; AUen (Douglas- Democrat), 159,253; Hope (Breckinridge-Democrat), 2,049; Stuart (American), 1,626.

Among the prominent men of different parties who appeared for the first time in the General Assembly chosen at this time, were William B. Ogden, Richard J. Oglesby , Washington Bushnell, and Henry E. Dummer, of the Senate, and William R. Archer, J. Russell Jones, Robert H. McClellan, J. Young Scammon, William H. Brown, Lawrence Weldon, N. M. Broadwell, and John Scholfield, in the House. Shelby M. Cullom, who had entered the Legislature at the previous session, was re-elected to this and was chosen Speaker of the House over J. W. Singleton. Lyman Trumbull was re-elected to the United States Senate by the votes of the Republicans over Samuel S. Marshall, the Democratic candidate.

Beginnino op the Rebeluon. - Almost simultaneously with the accession of the new State Government, and before the inauguration of the President at Washington, began that series of startling events which ultimately culminated in the attempted secession of eleven States of the Union - the first acts in the great drama of war which occupied the attention of the world for the next four years. On Jan. 14, 1861, the new State administration was inaugurated ; on Feb. 2, Commissioners to the futile Peace Convention held at Washing^n, were appointed from Illinois, consisting of Stephen T. Logan, John M. Palmer, ex-Gov. John Wood, B. C. Cook and T. J. Turner; and on Feb. 11, Abraham Lincoln took leave of his friends and neighbors at Springfield on his departure for Washington, in that simple, touching speech which has taken a place beeide his inaugural addresses and his Gettysburg speech, as an American classic. The events which followed; the firing on Fort Sumter on fhe twelfth of April and its surrender ; the call ^or 75,000 troops and the excitement which prevailed all over the country, are matters of National history. Illinoisans responded with promptness and enthusiasm to the call for six regiments of State militia for three months' service, and one week later (April 21), Gen. R. K. Swift, of Chicago, at the head of seven companies numbering 595 men, was en route for Cairo to execute the order of the Secretary of War for the occupation of that place. The offer of military organizations proceeded rapidly, and by the eighteenth of April, fifty companies had been tendered, while the public-spirited and patriotic bankers of the principal cities were offering to supply the State with money to arm and equip the hastily organized troops. Following in order the six regiments which Illinois had sent to the Mexican War, those called out for the three months' service in 1861 were numbered consecutively from seven to twelve, and were commanded by the following ofiicers, respectively: Cols. John Cook, Richard J. Oglesby, Eleazer A. Paine, James D. Morgan, W. H. L. Wallace and John McArthur, with Qen. Benjamin M. Prentiss as brigade commander. The rank and file numbered 4,680 men, of whom 2,000, at the end of their term of service, re-enlisted for three years. (See War of the RdMion.)

Among the many who visited the State Capitol in the early months of war to offer their services to the Government in suppressing the Rebellion, one of the most modest and unassuming was a gentleman from Galena who brought a letter of introduction to Governor Yates from Congressman E. B. Washbume. Though he had been a Captain in the regular army and had seen service in the war with Mexico, he set up no pretension on that account, but after days of patient waiting, was given temporary employment as a clerk in the oflSce of the Adjutant-General, Col. T. S. Mather. Finally, an emergency having arisen requiring the services of an oflScer of military experience as commandant at Camp Yates (a camp of rendezvous and instruction near Springfield), he was assigned to the place, rather as an experiment and from necessity than from conviction of any peculiar fitness for the position. Having acquitted himself creditably here, he was assigned, a few weeks later, to the command of a regiment (The Twenty-first Illinois Volunteers) which, from previous bad management, had nianifested a mutinous tendency. And thus Uly§ses S. Grant^ |he most successful leader of ihe Wat, th^ brg^mzer of final victory over the Rebellion, the Lieutenant-General of the armies of Vhe TJinQn an^ twice elected President of the United^-8ttt^,-^'^arted upon that career which won for him the plaudits of the Nation and the title of the grandest soldier of his time. (See Grant, Ulysses S.)

The responses of Illinois, under the leadership of its patriotic **War Gk>vernor," Richard Yates, to the repeated calls for volunteers through the four years of war, were cheerful and prompt. Illinois troops took part in nearly every important battle in the Mississippi Valley and in many of those in the East, besides accompanying Sherman in his triumphal ** March to the Sea." Illinois blood stained the field at Belmont, at Wilson's Creek, Lexington, Forts Donelson and Henry; atShiloh, Corinth, Nashville, Stone River and Chickamauga; at Jackson, during the siege of Vicksburg, at Allatoona Pass, Kenesaw Moimtain, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta, in the South and West; and at Chancellorsville, Antietam, Gettysburg, Petersbmrg and in the battles of *'the Wilderness" in Virginia. Of all the States of the Union, Illinois alone, up to Feb. 1, 1864, presented the proud record of having answered every call upon her for troops without a draft. The whole number of enlistments from the State under the various calls from 1861 to 1865, according to the records of the War Department, was 255,057 to meet quotas aggpregating 244,496. The ratio of troops furnished to population was 15.1 per cent, which was only exceeded by the District of Ck>lumbia (which had a large infiux from the States), and Kansas and Nevada, each of which had a much larger proportion of adult male population. The whole number of regimental organizations, according to the returns in the Adjutant General's office, was 151 regiments of infantry (numbered consecutively from the Sixth to the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh), 17 regiments of cavalry and 2 regiments of artillery, besides 9 independent batteries. The total losses of Illinois troops, officially reported by the War Department, were 84,834 (18.65 per cent), of which 5,874 were killed in battle, 4,020 died of wounds, 22,786 died of disease, and 2.154 from other causes. Besides the great Commander-in-Chief, Abraham Lincoln, and Lieut. -Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, Illinois furnished 11 full Major-Generals of volunteers, viz.: Generals John Pope. John A. McClemand, S. A. Hurlbut, B. M. Prentiss, John M. Palmer, R. J. Oglesby, John A. Logan, John M. Schofield, Giles A. Smith, Wesley Merritt and Benjamin H. Grierson ; 20 Brevet Major-Generals ; 24 Brigadier- Generals, and over 120 Brevet Brigadier-Generals. (See sketches of these officers under their respective names.) Among the long list of regimental officers who fell upon the field or died from wounds, appear the names of Col. J. R. Scott of the Nineteenth; CoL Thomas D. Williams of the Twenty-fifth, and CoL F. A. Harrington of the Twenty-seventh - all killed at Stone River; Col. John W. S. Alexander of the Twenty-first; Col. Daniel Gilmer of the Thirty-eighth; Lieut. -Col. Duncan J. Hall of the Eighty-ninth ; CoL Timothy O'Meara of the Ninetieth, and Col. Holden Putnam, at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge; Col. John B. Wyman of the Thirteenth, at Chickasaw Bayou; Lieut. -Col. Thomas W. Ross, of the Thirty-second, at Shiloh; CoL John A. Davis of the Forty-sixth, at Hatchie; CoL William A. Dickerman of the One Hundred and ' Third, at Resaca; Col. Oscar Harmon, at Kenesaw; CoL John A. Bross, at Petersburg, besides CoL Mihalotzy, CoL Silas Miller, Lieut. -CoL Melancthon Smith, Maj. Zenas Applington, Col. John J. Mudd, Col. Matthew H. Starr, Maj. Wm. H. Medill, Col. Warren Stewart and many more on other battle-fields. (Biographical sketches of many of these officers will be found under the proper heads elsewhere in this volume.) It would be a grateful task to record here the names of a host of others, who, after acquitting themselves bravely on the field, survived to enjoy the plaudits of a grateful people, were this within the design and scope of the present work. One of the most brilliant exploits of the War was the raid from La Grange, Tenn., to Baton Rouge,

La., in May, 1863, led by CoL B. H. Grierson, of the Sixth Illinob Cavalry, in co-operation with the Seventh under command of CoL Edward Prince.

Constitutional Convention of 1862. - An incident of a different character was the callin^^ of a convention to revise the State Constitution, which met at Springfield, Jan. 7, 1862. A majority of this body was composed of those opposed to the war policy of the Government, and a disposition to interfere with the affairs of the State administration and the General Government was soon manifested, which was resented by the executive and many of the soldiers in the field. The convention adjourned March 24, and its work was submitted to vote of the people, June 17, 1862, when it was rejected by a majority of more than 16,000, not counting the soldiers in the field, who were permitted, as a matter of policy, to vote upon it, but who were practically imanimous in opposition to it.

Death op Douglas. - A few days before this election (June 3, 1862), United States Senator Stephen A. Douglas died, at the Tremont House in Chicago, depriving the Democratic party of the State of its most sagacious and patriotic adviser. (See Douglas, St^hen A. )

Legislature op 1868. - Another political incident of this period grew out of the session of the General Assembly of 1863. This body having been elected on the tide of the political revulsion which followed the issuance of President Lin« coin's preliminary Proclamation of Emancipation, was Democratic in both branches. One of its first acts was the election of William A. Richardson United States Senator, in place of O. H. Browning, who had been appointed by Governor Tates to the vacancy caused by the death of Douglas. This Legislature early showed a tendency to follow in the footsteps of the Constitutional Convention of 1862, by attempting to cripple the State and General Governments in the prosecution of the war. Resolutions on the subject of the war, which the friends of the Union regarded as of a most mischievous character, were introduced and passed in the House, but owing to the death of a member on the majority side, they failed to pass the Senate. These denounced the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus; condemned *'the attempted enforcement of compensated emancipation'' and ** the transportation of negroes into the State;" accused the General Government of "usurpation," of "subverting the Constitution" and attempting to establish a "consolidated military despotism;'* charged that the war had been "diverted from its first avowed object to that of subjugation and the abolition of slavery;'' declared the belief of the authors that its * 'further prosecution .... cannot result in the restoration of the Union .... unless the President's Emancipation Proclamation be withdrawn;" appealed to Congress to secure an armistice with the rebel States, and closed by appointing six Commissioners (who were named) to confer with Congress, with a view to the holding of a National Convention to adjust the differences between the States. These measures occupied the attention of the Legislature to the exclusion of subjects of State interest, so that little legislation was accomplished - not even the ordinary appropriation bills being passed.

Legislature Probogubd. - At this juncture, the two Houses having disagreed as to the date of adjournment, GJovemor Yates exercised the constitutional prerogative of proroguing them, which he did in a message on June 10, declaring them adjourned to the last day of their constitutional term. The Republicans accepted the result and withdrew, but the Democratic majority in the House and a minority in the Senate continued in session for some days, without being able to transact any business except the filing of an empty protest, when they adjourned to the first Monday of January, 1864. The excitement produced by this affair, in the Liegislature and throughout the State, was intense; but the action of Governor Yates was sustained by the Supreme Court and the adjourned session was never held. The failure of the Legislature to make provision for the expenses of the State Government and the relief of the soldiers in the field, made it necessary for Governor Yates to accept that aid from the public-spirited bankers and capitialists of the State which was never wanting when needed during this critical period. (See Twenty-Third General Assembly.)

Peace Conventions. - Largely attended **peace conventions" were held during this year, at Springfield on June 17, and at Peoria in September, at which resolutions opposing the * 'further offensive prosecution of the war" were adopted. An immense Union mass-meeting was also held at Springfield on Sept. 8, which was addressed by distinguished speakers, including both Republicans and War-Democrats. An important incident of this meeting was the reading of the letter from President Lincoln to Hon. James C. Conkling. in which he defended his war policy, and especially his Emancipation Proclamation, in a cliaracteristically logical manner.

Political Campaign of 1864. - The year 1864 was full of exciting political and military events. Among the former was the nomination of George B. McClellan for President by the Democratic Convention held at Chicago, August 29, on a platform declaring the war a **failure'* as an "experiment" for restoring the Union, and demanding a * 'cessation of hostilities" with a view to a convention for the restoration of peace. Mr. Lincoln had been renominated by the Republicans at Philadelphia, in June previous, with Andrew Johnson as the candidate for Vice-President. The leaders of the respective State tickets were Gen. Richard J. Oglesby, on the part of the Republicans, for Governor, with William Bross, for Lieutenant-Governor, and James C. Robinson as the Democratic candidate for (Governor.

Camp Douglas Conspiracy. - For months rumors had been rife concerning a conspiracy of rebels from the South and their sympathizers in the North, to release the rebel prisoners confined in Camp Douglas, Chicago, and at Rock Island, Springfield and Alton - aggregating over 25,000 men. It was charged that the scheme was to be put into effect simultaneously with the November election, but the activity of the military authorities in arresting the leaders and seizing their arms, defeated it. The investigations of a military court before whom a number of the arrested parties were tried, proved the existence of an extensive organization, calling itself ** American Knights" or "Sons of Liberty," of which a number of well-known politicians in Illinois were members. (See Camp Douglas Conspiracy.)

At the November election Illinois gave a majority for Lincoln of 80,756, and for Oglesby, for Governor, of 33,675, with a proportionate majority for the rest of the ticket. Lincoln's total vote in the electoral college was 213, to 2 1 for McClellan.

Legislature op 1865. - The Republicans had a decided majority in both branches of the Legislature of 1805, and one of its earliest acts was the election of Governor Yates, United States Senator, in place of William A. Richardson, who had been elected two years before to the seat formerly held by Douglas. This was the last public position held by the popular Illinois **War Governor. ' ' During his official term no more popular public servant ever occupied the executive chair - a fact demonstrated by the promptness with which, on retiring from it, he was elected to the United States Senate. His personal and political integrity was never questioned by his most bitter political opponents, while those who bad known him longest and most intimately, trusted him most implicitly. The service which he performed in giving direction to the patriotic sentiment of the State and in marshaling its heroic soldiers for the defense of the Union can never be overestimated. (See Yates, Richard.)

Oglesby's Administration. - Governor Oglesby and the other State oflScers were inaugurated Jan. 17, 1865. Entering upon its duties with a Legislature in full sympathy with it, the new administration was confronted by no such difficulties as those with which its predecessor had to contend. Its head, who had been identified with the war from its beginning, was one of the first Illinoisans promoted to the rank of Major-General, was personally popular and enjoyed the confidence and respect of the people of the State. Allen C. Fuller, who had retired from a position on the Circuit bench to accept that of Adjutant-General, which he held during the last three years of the war, was Speaker of the House. This Legislature was the first among those of all the States to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment of the National Constitution, abolishing slavery, which it did in both Houses, on the evening of Feb. 1, 1866 - the same day the resolution had been finally acted on by Congress and received the sanction of the President. The odious '*black laws," which had disgraced the State for twelve years, were wiped from the statute-book at this session. The Legislature adjourned after a session of forty-six days, leaving a record as creditable in the disposal of business as that of its predecessor had been discreditable. (See Oglesby, Ricliard J.)

Assassination op Lincoln. - The war was now rapidly approaching a successful termination. Lee had surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, April 9, 1865, and the people were celebrating this event with joyful festivities through all the loyal States, but nowhere with more enthusiasm than in Illinois, the home of the two great leaders - Lincoln and Grant. In the midst of these jubilations came the assassination of President Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth, on the evening of April 14, 1865, in Ford's Theater, Washington. The appalling news was borne on the wings of the telegraph to every corner of the land, and instantly a nation in rejoicing was changed to a nation in mourning. A pall of gloom hung over every part of the land. Public buildings, business houses and dwellings in every city, village and hamlet throughout the loyal States were draped with the insignia of a universal sorrow. Millions of strong men, and tender, patriotic women who had given their husbands, sons and brothers for the defense of the Union, wept as. if overtaken by a great personal calamity. If the nation mourned, much more did Illinois, at the taking off of its chief citizen, the grandest character of the age, who had served both State and Nation Mrith such patriotic fidelity, and perished in the very zenith of his fame and in the hour of his country's triumph.

The Funeral. - Then came the sorrowful march of the funeral cortege from Washington to Springfield - the most impressive spectacle witnessed since the Day of the Crucifixion. In all this, Illinois bore a conspicuous part, as on the fourth day of May, 1865, amid the most solemn ceremonies and in the presence of sorrowing thousands, she received to her bosom, near his old home at the State Capital, the remains of the Great Liberator.

The part which Illinois played in the great struggle has already been dwelt upon as fully as the scope of this work will permit. It only remains to be said that the patriotic service of the men of the State was grandly supplemented by the equally patriotic service of its women in "Soldiers' Aid Societies," **Sisters of the Good Samaritan," "Needle Pickets," and in sanitary organizations for the purpose of contributing to the comfort and health of the soldiers in camp and in hospital, and in giving them generous receptions on their return to their homes. The work done by these organizations, and by individual nurses in the field, illustrates one of the brightest pages in the history of the war.

Election op 1866. - The administration of Governor Oglesby was as peaceful as it was prosperous. The chief political events of 1866 were the election of Newton Bateman, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Gen. Geo. W. Smith, Treasurer, while Gen. John A. Logan, as Representative from the State-at-large. re-entered Congress, from which he had retired in 1861 to enter the Union army. His majority was unprecedented, reaching 55,987. The Legislature of 1867 re-elected Judge Trumbull to the United States Senate for a third term, his chief competitor in the Republican caucus being Gen. John M. Palmer. The Fourteenth Amendment to the National Constitution, conferring citizenship upon persons of color, was ratified by this Legislature.

Election of 1868. - The Republican State Convention of 1868, held at Peoria, May 6, nominated the following ticket: For Governor, John M. Palmer, Lieutenant-Governor, John Dougherty;

Secretary of State, Edward Rummell; Auditor, Charles E: Lippinoott, State Treasurer, Erastus N. Bates; Attorney General. Washington BushnelL John R. Eden, afterward a member of Ck>ngress for three terms, headed the Democratic ticket as candidate for Governor, with William H. Van Epps for Lieutenant-Governor.

The Republican National Convention was held at Chicago, May 21, nominating Gen. U. S. Grant for President and Schuyler Colfax for Vice- President. They were opposed by Horatio Seymour for President, and F. P. Blair for Vice- President. The result in November was the election of Grant and Colfax, who received 214 electoral votes from 26 States, to 80 electoral votes for Seymour and Blair from 8 States - three States not voting. Grant's majority in Illinois was 51,160. Of course the Republican State ticket was elected. The Legislature elected at the same time consisted of eighteen Republicans to nine Democrats in the Senate and fifty-eight Republicans to twenty-seven Democrats in the House.

Palmer's Administration. - Governor Palmer*s administration began auspiciously, at a time when the passions aroused by the war were subsiding and the State was recovering its normal prosperity. (See Palmer, John M.) Leading events of the next four years were the adoption of a new State Constitution and the Chicago fire. The first steps in legislation looking to the control of railroads were taken at the session of

1869, although a stringent law on the subject passed both Houses, it was vetoed by the Governor. A milder measure was afterward enacted, and, although superseded by the Constitution of