Whiteside County, Illinois - Chapter 26, 1877 (part 2 of 2)

At the election in August, 1834, Joseph Duncan was elected Governor, and Alexander M. Jenkins, Lieutenant Governor. During this administration the gigantic system of Internal Improvements was adopted, an account of which will be found in the general history of Whiteside in this work. In 1838,

Thomas Carlin was elected Governor, and S. H. Anderson, Lieutenant Governor. IHirinp; this administration, in 1839, the State Capital was moved to Springfield. In 1842 Thomas Ford became Governor, and John Moore, Lieutenant Governor. Gov. Ford entered at once upon the work of devising means to relieve the State from its financial embarrassment, and to restore its credit, both of which objects were fully completed during his term. He was one of the ablest Governors Illinois ever had. In 1846, Augustus C. French was elected Governor, and Joseph B. Wells, Lieutenant Governor. The Convention to revise the Codstitution of the State was held in 1847, and the organic law enacted by that body, and afterwards endorsed by the people, remained in force until the Convention of 1870. The Mexican war also broke out during Gov. French's administration, and Illinois sent her full quota of troops to the field. By the constitution of 1847 a new election for State officers was ordered in November, 1848, before Gov. French's term was half out, the result of which was, that he was re-elected for the term of four years, and was thus the only Governor of the State who has ever held the office for six consecutive years. William McMurtry was elected Lieutenant Governor. In 1852, Joel A. Matteson became Governor, and Gustavus Koerner, Lieutenant Govei-nor.

In 1856, the neV Republican party had gained such strength that it elected William H. Bissell, Governor. The contest was exceedingly aci'imonious. The Legislature, however, was pretty evenly divided, and stood as follows: Senate, 13 Democrats, 31 Republicans, and 1 American or Know Nothing; House, 37 Democrats, 31 Republicans, and 6 Americans. Gov. Bissell was Colonel of the 2d Illinois Regiment in the Mexican War, and on the bloody field of Buena Vista ac({uitted himself with intrepid and distinguished ability, contributing with his regiment in no small degree toward saving the wavering fortunes of the United States arms during that long and fiercely contested battle. On his return home he was elected to Congress, and served two terms.

In 1860 Richai-d Yates was elected Govornor, and Francis A. HoflFman, Lieutenant Governor. Gov. Yates received the appellation of the "Great War Governor of Illinois," for his devotedness to the interests of the Union during the war of the Rebellion, and for the zeal and energy he displayed in having every call of the government for troops fully answered in his own State. Almost simultaneously with the call for troops enlistments commenced in the State, favored by the Governor in every way possible within his power, and within ten days 10,000 volunteers offered their services, and the sum of nearly $1,000,000 was tendered by patriotic citizens to procure supplies, for which the State, in the sudden emergency, had no time to make provision. Of the volunteers who offered their services under the call of Gov. Yates, only six reginjents could be accepted under the quota of the State. These, in accordance with an act of the Legislature, which met on the 23d of April, 1861, were designated by the numbers commencing with 7, as a mark of respect for the six regiments which had served in the Mexican war, and the entire force styled the 1st Brigade of Illinois Volunteers. Following this came Regiments and Brigades faster even than the respective quotas of the State demanded, until the whole number of enlistments during the war aggregated 256,000. Of these 5,888 were killed in action; 3,032 died of wounds; 19,496 died of disease contracted while in the service; 967 died in rebel prison pens; and 205 were lost at sea. The two principal camps in the State were Camp Butler, at Springfield, and Camp Douglas, at Chicago. The immediate location of the former was near where the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad crosses the Sangamon river, and that of the latter near the last resting place of the great Statesman after whom it was named. Each of these camps was provided with commissary and ordnance warehouses, general prison and small pox hospitals, company and prison barracks, ofBcers' quarters, and other structures necessary for the outfit of an extensive encampment. Both places became principal points of rendezvous and instruction of volunteers, and mustering them out of service after the war. As the result of the battle of Fort Donelson about 10,000 prisoners were sent to these camps, and thereafter they became places of custody for other prisoners captured in the war. The site of Camp Butler is still preserved as a national cemetery, in which many of the gallant sons of Illinois sleep in honored graves. Other camps were formed in different parts of the State, but they served only temporary purposes. Illinois can feel proud of her war record, and to the honorable making of it much credit is due to her great war Governor.

The 23d General Assembly, which met on the 5th of January, 1863, contained a majority who were opposed to the prosecution of the war. They first refused to order printed the usual number of copies of Gov. Yates' long and able message. Their next movement was to introduce and pass resolutions declaring the war a failure, and that hostilities ought to be immediately suspended, and a national convention held to settle the unpleasantness. The most notorious of these resolutions were introduced by Mr. Wike, of Pike county, afterward Democratic member of Congress. The resolutions called forth long and acrimonious debate, delaying all other business. Another object of this majority was to defeat the appropriation bills, and every parlimentary expedient was resorted to to effect it. But while these dishonorable members of the Legislature were endeavoring to cripple the Union army, as far as possibly could be done by the State, the people were active in furnishing men and supplies.

In 1864 Richard J. Oglesby was elected Governor, and William Bross, Lieutenant Governor, and in 1868 John M. Palmer, Governor, and John Dougherty Lieutenant Governor. In 1872 Richard J. Oglesby was again elected Governor, and John L. Beveridge, Lieutenant Governor. Gov. Oglesby was soon afterwards chosen United States Senator, and Lieutenant Gov. Beveridge became Governor. In 1876, Shelby M. Cullom was elected Governor, and Andrew Shuman, Lieutenant Governor.

It became evident not long after the adoption of the Constitution of 1847 that many of its provisions were objectionable in their features, and would be entirely ignored. An attempt was made to compel an observance of these provisions, but it was found impossible, and for years they were openly and systematically violated. The matter was brought to the attention of the Legislature and the people at various times, and in 1861 an election ordered for delegates to a constitutional convention to revise and amend it. The election was held in November, 1861, and the Convention assembled at Springfield, January 7, 1862. The constitution framed by this body, however, was so distasteful to the people that they rejected it by an emphatic vote, when it came to be submitted to them, thus leaving the old constitution of 1847 still in force. lu 1868 Got. Palmer stated positively in his message, that "the history of American States presented no example of a government more defective than that of Illinois." The question of a revision of the constitution was soon afterwards again submitted to the people, and carried by a large majority. The succeeding Legislature authorized the election of delegates, the number corresponding with that of the Representatives in the Lower House of the General Assembly, who were to meet at Springfield, December 13, 1869. Of the 85 members returned, 44 were set down as Republicans, and 41 as Democrats. But, 15 were elected on independent tickets, all in Republican districts, of whom 8 were Republicans, and 7 Democrats. The members were composed of learned jurists, experienced statesmen, and thorough business men. Their work was prepared with much care, and the constitution as finally framed by them pronounced the best and in its limitations and restrictions that the Union affords.

The population of Illinois in 1870, was 2,539,638. Extending through more than five degrees of latitude, it has quite a variety of climate. The surface of the land is level, and the soil fertile, the agricultural capabilities being unsurpassed by any State in the Union, if indeed by any portion of earth's surface, of equal extent. The staple products are corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, hay, and products of the dairy, besides large quantities of fruit. A large portion of the lead producing region of the country is in the State, and bituminous coal is found in almost every county. Copper is found in the north part, and iron in both north and south parts. Lime, zinc, marble of excellent quality, freestone, gypsum, and other minerals are found in various localities.