USA > Illinois > Illinois in 1818, 2nd ed > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
With Bond out of the race, the congressional campaign became not only a contest between the rival factions but also one between the east and west. This was due not so much to antagonism between the two sections as to the propensity of the voters to cast their ballots for the man they knew personally. Neither candi- date was well known except on the side of the territory in which he resided.305
Earlier in the campaign the slavery question had played a considerable part. Cook's opposition to slavery as an institu- tion was made known by his communications in the Intelligencer
805On June 12, John Law of Vincennes wrote Kane: "Is there a prob- ability of McLeans election . . . he is considered as a popular candidate on this side of the Territory." Chicago Historical Society manuscripts, 54:57.
297
A STATE IN THE UNION
of February 4 and April I, over the recognized signature of "A republican," while McLean was at a later period an out and out proslavery man and doubtless favored the institution at this time. In the Intelligencer of June 24, however, "A citizen" expressed a desire to know the "candid and impartial sentiments" of the candidates for congress "as it respects the toleration of slavery." -
"On this important point," he continued, "it will be well for every man to inquire before he gives his vote-and to enquire of the candidate, in the presence of those of an opposite opinion to him- self, so that he may not flinch, and act the camelion, as, I fear, some of our candidates are doing." Late in July Cook issued a statement over his own name, which begins: "In pursuance of a wish expressed by many who are opposed to slavery, and who wish for an expression of the public sentiment on that sub- ject in the Congressional election, I beg leave to state through the medium of the Intelligencer, that I am decidedly opposed to the toleration of slavery in this territory." In his letter of August 3 from Golconda, already referred to, Cook wrote: "I made a speech and excited warm opposition from slavemen, but still warmer support from freemen.'
The action of the convention narrowed the slavery issue in the congressional campaign to the question of whether or not the candidates, if elected, would support the application for state- hood under the constitution as adopted. The antislavery men, in their address to the "friends of freedom" published just as the convention was assembling, appealed to them to elect a dele- gate opposed to slavery and to use every possible means to prevent the ratification by congress of a proslavery constitution. The more radical of these men undoubtedly considered the slavery article of the constitution unsatisfactory and would gladly have voted for a candidate who would oppose ratification. On the day after the constitution was signed, Cook prepared a statement in which he said: "It is questioned by some, whether I will
BBIntelligencer, June 24, July 29, 1818; Washburne, Edwards Papers, 145. Lippincott in his "Early Days in Madison County," no. 13, says: "All I knew or heard of the candidates in their first canvas was that Mr. McLean was in favor of slavery and Mr. Cook opposed to it." See also Churchill, "Annotations," no. 3.
298
ILLINOIS IN 1818
support the constitution of our state in congress if elected. When it is known that I was the first person in the state who urged the propriety of petitioning congress for leave to form a state government, by an address to the legislature thro' the public print; it can scarcely be supposed that I am unfriendly to a change of the government." He would, he declared, use his "best exertions to procure a ratification of the constitution."307
That the opposition of the Edwards men to the plan adopted by the convention for locating the state capital was being used against Cook is indicated by another part of the same statement. "It is insinuated," he wrote, "that I will not wish the seat of government to be fixed as the Convention has provided; to this insinuation I will remark that it can only have grown out of a wish to defeat my election .- I shall endeavor if elected, to pro- cure the grant which it is made the duty of the legislature to peti- tion for." In this connection it is interesting to note that when Edwards came up for reelection to the United States senate in 1819, he was charged with being opposed to the donation of land for a capital site.
When the election was over, it was found that McLean had carried two western counties, Randolph and Washington. In the eastern counties where Cook thought that McLean would beat Bond four to one, he beat Cook himself eight to one. Yet so large was Cook's vote in the populous counties of the northwest that McLean's total majority was only fourteen.308 The man who more than any other is entitled to the credit for the achieve- ment of statehood by Illinois in 1818 was obliged to content him- self for the time being with a minor state office.
In the election of state and county officers there was no general issue and there is no evidence that the political factions played any considerable part. The principal factor was doubtless the personal popularity of the respective candidates. An editorial in the Intelligencer of September 16, emphasized the importance of the election as "one which combines greater interest than any
BOT Intelligencer, August 5, September 2, 1818.
808 Ibid., September 23, October 7, 1818; Illinois Emigrant, October 17, 1818; Niles' Register, 15:192. The Intelligencer of October 14, gives McLean's majority as six. Compare Washburne, Edwards Papers, 155.
SHADRACH BOND [From original painting owned by Chicago Historical Society]
299
A STATE IN THE UNION
heretofore, or which may shortly follow . Seven differ- ent grades of civil officers are to be elected-In this election, we are all vitally interested. The convention has left much for the legislature to do, and independent of the selections they have to make, of other officers, to fill highly responsible stations, their task will be no easy one. It will be such a one as will require. the first talents in the state to perform; as it may be supposed, that they will not only go into the work of general legislation, but make a complete revision of our territorial laws. Who that possesses the smallest spark of public spirit can withhold his suffrage when so much is at stake?"
As has been seen, Shadrach Bond had a clear field for the important post of governor. Only in Madison county, so far as is known from the incomplete returns available, were any ballots cast against him. There nineteen voters indicated their preference for Henry Reavis, of whom nothing is known except that his name appears in the census schedule for Madison county. It would seem as though their only object must have been to show opposition to Bond. It may be significant also that in St. Clair county the ballots cast for governor numbered 117 less than the total vote for sheriff.309
For the office of lieutenant governor there were three candi- dates, Pierre Menard, William L. Reynolds, and Edward N. Cullom. Menard was a French-Canadian who had settled in Kaskaskia about 1791. Like Bond he had been popular with the voters. He had represented Randolph county in the legis- lature of Indiana territory, and in every session of the Illinois territorial legislature he had presided over the council. It was natural that he should be chosen to fill a similar position under the state government, and, as has been seen, a section had been inserted in the schedule of the constitution for the sole purpose of making that possible. Reynolds was a physician from Ken- tucky who located in Kaskaskia in 1809. In December, 1817, he gave up his practice on account of ill health, but the next July he announced his return to Kaskaskia and the resumption of his profession. He had never held any political office in the
80º Churchill, "Annotations," no. 7; History of St. Clair County (1881), 72.
300
ILLINOIS IN 1818
territory. Cullom was one of the foremost men of Crawford county. Coming from Kentucky, he had settled at Palestine in 1814 and had served in the territorial legislature and in the con- vention. Neither of these men had the slightest chance against Menard. Cullom carried his own county, Reynolds carried White and Pope, but both together received less than half the total vote. This result indicates what might have happened in the contest for representative to congress, had Bond remained in the race.
.
The number of candidates for seats in the legislature, judging from the counties for which returns are available, was generally about twice the number of positions to be filled.310 Conspicuous among these candidates were at least thirteen members of the convention, twelve of whom were elected, five to the senate and seven to the house. The thirteenth was Dr. Fisher of Randolph, who was defeated for the senatorship by McFerron, over whom he had been victorious in the convention election. Thomas Cox, an unsuccessful candidate for the convention in Union county, was elected to the senate, while the three representatives of the county in the convention were returned to the lower house. Similarly, in Madison county, George Cadwell, who had received only a light vote in the convention election, secured the senator- ship. Green B. Field, elected to the house of representatives in Pope county, had also been an unsuccessful candidate for a seat in the convention.
The most surprising thing about the personnel of the first state legislature is the fact that only two of its members had served in the legislature of Illinois territory, Willis Hargrave of White and Risdon Moore of St. Clair. Among the unsuccessful candi- dates who had been members of the territorial legislature was John Grammar of Union county. Two of the men elected, John Messinger of St. Clair and George Cadwell of Madison, had been members of the Indiana legislature before the division. Another
2ºFor Menard, Reynolds, and Cullom see Mason, Early Chicago and Illinois, 142-161 ; Reynolds, Pioneer History, 291, 368; Intelligencer, January I, July 15, 1818; Perrin, History of Crawford and Clark Counties, 32. For announcements of candidates and election returns, see Intelligencer, July 15, August 12, August 19, August 26, September 9, September 23, October 7, 1818; Churchill, "Annotations," no. 7; History of St. Clair County (1881), 72.
301
A STATE IN THE UNION
candidate who had served in the Indiana legislature was William Biggs of St. Clair county, who ran for the senate; he was defeated, however, by William Kinney, a Baptist minister, who had never held office in Illinois before.311 The election of Kin- ney and of another clergyman, Scott Riggs of Crawford county, is an interesting commentary on the action of the convention in rejecting the proposed section of the constitution which would have made ministers ineligible to seats in the legislature. Kinney was the only member of the senate who had not previously held some office of more or less importance, but there were eleven such inen in the house. On the whole it would seem that the first state legislature was made up largely of men with little or no experience which would tend to fit them for the important work to be done. Even Nathaniel Pope, who in spite of his announced determination to retire from public life had been a candidate for the house in Randolph county, was defeated by two men without political experience.312 It may be that the people believed in rotation in office, and this explanation would also serve to account for the fact that only eight of the twenty- eight members of this house of representatives were reelected during the next ten years.
The first general assembly of the state of Illinois convened at Kaskaskia on Monday, October 5, 1818. The governor and lieutenant governor were qualified the following day and the governor then delivered his message. Before outlining the work to be done by the legislature he pleaded for an abatement of party spirit. "If the minds of any of us," he said, "have here- tofore been infected with a spirit of division which had not its foundation in a difference of principle; if the conduct of any has been hitherto influenced by unmerited partially [sic] or unjust resentment, let it be remembered that the period has now arrived when the public good and public justice imperiously require the
"11Kinney took a prominent part in politics thereafter and was a candidate for governor against John Reynolds in 1830.
212Two months later, Pope was appointed by the president register of the land office at Edwardsville and in March, 1819, he was appointed United States judge for the district of Illinois, a position which he held until his death in 1850. Intelligencer, December 9, 1818; Moses, Illinois, I :237.
302
ILLINOIS IN 1818
extinguishment of that spirit, and the pursuance of a course of conduct that will do justice and do good."
On the same day, "the governor nominated and the senate confirmed the appointment of Elias Kent Kane, Esq. to the office of secretary of state."313 Although Kane was a leader of one of the political factions, his selection was probably due to a recognition of his qualifications for the office. In the con- vention Kane had demonstrated his ability to do the sort of work that would be required of him as secretary of state. He had been especially useful in proposing changes to bring the vari- ous sections of the constitution into harmony with each other
thong
GOVERNOR BOND'S HOME IN KASKASKIA [Drawing owned by Chicago Historical Society]
and to improve the English of the document. Just such a man was needed by Governor Bond, who was, to quote an early writer, "to a considerable degree, destitute of the advantages of education but, possessing a strong mind, and a popular address, was successful in the administration of the duties of his office. His State papers were usually attributed to his Secretary of State.''314 Whatever may have been Bond's motive in choosing Kane for secretary, there can be little doubt about the result from a political point of view. Kane was soon in a position to dominate the administration. Although "Shadrach Bond was our first State Governor," wrote a contemporary, "I believe it was conceded that Mr. Kane was chief ruler at the opening of
818 Intelligencer, October 7, 1818.
"14Brown, "Early History of Illinois," in Fergus Historical Series, no. 14:88.
303
A STATE IN THE UNION
our history." Party feeling, instead of subsiding, increased, and the governor found it impossible to maintain a neutral posi- tion. "You believe Gov. Bond to be your friend-" wrote Cook to Edwards the following February, "I do not. The nest which float around him are all against you."315
The third day of the session was spent in electing the two United States senators. The candidates were Ninian Edwards, Jesse B. Thomas, Leonard White, Michael Jones of Kaskaskia, Joseph M. Street, and Robert Morrison. The last-named was a Pennsylvanian who had lived in Kaskaskia since 1798 and who had been active in politics before the separation from Indiana. After 1809 he was clerk of the general or supreme court at Kaskaskia.316 Edwards was elected on the first ballot, having received the vote of thirty-two of the forty members present. White came second with seventeen votes, Thomas third with fifteen. Jones had ten while Street and Morrison received only three votes each and were dropped. On the second ballot White led with sixteen votes, Thomas had fourteen and Jones ten. Then the contest narrowed down to White and Thomas with the advantage with Thomas for he could hope to win over more of the Jones supporters than could White. On the third ballot White ha 1 eighteen votes and Thomas nineteen. On the fourth ballot Thomas received twenty-one votes, barely the num- ber necessary to elect. The difference in the attitude of the mem- bers of the legislature towards Edwards and towards the other candidates is especially significant, if contrasted with the vote of the same assembly in the following February, when Edwards, who had drawn the short term, was up for reelection. Then Edwards was selected over a single competitor, Michael Jones, by the narrow margin of 23 to 19,-a striking commentary on the height to which the events of four months had raised party
315Lippincott, "Early Days in Madison County," no. 13; Washburne, Ed- wards Papers, 150.
316Reynolds, Pioneer History, 165; James, Territorial Records, 7, 35. The following account of elections by the legislature is based on Senate Journal, I general assembly, I session, 17, 18, 28; House Journal, I general assembly, 2 session, 48; Intelligencer, October 14, 1818; Illinois Emigrant, October 17, 1818.
304
ILLINOIS IN 1818
feeling. The change was ascribed by Cook, in the letter already quoted, to the influence wielded by Kane.
On October 8, the legislature again met in joint session, this time for the election of justices of the supreme court. The Intelligencer of the preceding day contained an open letter to the general assembly from "A friend to an able judiciary" in which the importance of "the selection of proper Judges" was emphasized. Unfortunately, however, the salaries fixed by the constitution were not such as to attract "the best talents of the state" which this writer thought "should be called into the ser- vice." According to Reynolds, "the material for the bench was not as good as it might be. Human nature is easier persuaded to mount upwards than to remain on the common level." The can- didates for supreme judge were Joseph Phillips, secretary under the territorial government, Thomas Browne, a Shawneetown lawyer belonging to the Edwards party, and Henry S. Dodge, a Kaskaskia lawyer and real estate dealer. Phillips received thirty-four of the forty-one votes cast. The assembly then pro- ceeded to elect three associate judges. There were nine candi- dates. John Reynolds, at that time a young lawyer, gives this account of how he happened to become one of them: "At the time of the session of the first legislature I resided in Cahokia, and had not the least intention to visit the seat of Government at all. I cared very little who was elected to any office-one thing was certain, I courted nothing myself. My friends urged me to visit, with them, the General Assembly in session at Kas- kaskia, and I did so. When we reached the legislature, there was great excitement and turmoil in relation to the election of officers by the General Assembly. I had not been in Kaskaskia only a few days, when it was urged on me to know if I would accept of a judgeship, if I was elected. This broke in on me like a clap of thunder. I was in truth persuaded to become a candi- date for the office. I had a great many personal friends both in and out of the legislature who urged me much to consent to offer."
The other candidates were Thomas C. Browne; William P. Foster, a man "of winning, polished manners" who had been
305
A STATE IN THE UNION
in the state about two months;317 Henry S. Dodge; William Wilson, clerk and recorder of Jackson county; C. R. Matheny, the antislavery advocate of the last territorial legislature, and circuit attorney of the first district; Joseph Kitchell, senator from Crawford county; John Warnock, whom Edwards had appointed in June as judge of the western circuit in place of Cook; and J. W. Whitney, of whom nothing is known except that he lived in St. Clair county. Browne and Foster were elected on the first ballot, Reynolds on the third. The choice of Foster proved an unfortunate one. The following May, A. F. Hubbard wrote to Kane, "I have just been in the upper Country of Fosters Cir- cuit [White, Edwards, and Crawford counties]. He did not hold any Court. The people are much enranged [sic] at him in- deed and every man all most has made it his own case and have joined in complaint. I saw Judge Foster in Vincennes he told me the water was too high that he was too unwell to get to Palestine on time, and that his Son was to unwell to stay from him till after Edwards Court[?]." This confirms what Ford wrote of him: "he was no lawyer, never having either studied or practiced law; but .... withal a very gentlemanly swindler . He was believed to be a clever fellow, in the American sense of the phrase, and a good-hearted soul. He was assigned to hold courts in the circuit on the Wabash; but being fearful of exposing his utter incompetency, he never went near any of them. In the course of one year he resigned his high office, but took care first to pocket his salary, and then removed out of the State."318
On the following day, October 9, the general assembly com- pleted the elections by choosing Daniel P. Cook, attorney-general ; E. C. Berry, auditor; John Thomas, treasurer, and Blackwell and Berry, public printers. With the exception of Cook, it was but the reappointment of territorial officers and in no case were there more than five votes cast against the successful candidate.
$17Reynolds, My Own Times, 212; Ford, History of Illinois, 29. Ford states that he had been in Illinois about two weeks but he registered a slave in Randolph county on August 14, 1818.
818Chicago Historical Society manuscripts, 52:185; Ford, History of Illi- nois, 29.
306
ILLINOIS IN 1818
When, the elections over, the general assembly turned to law- making, there appeared to be some doubt as to its power to legis- late before congress had ratified the constitution. Was Illinois a state? The enabling act had conferred the power "to form a constitution and State government;" the people, through their representatives in the convention had adopted a constitution ; and by the election and installation of officers a state government had been formed. Congress, however, had not yet accepted the constitution and admitted the state to the union. There is every indication that, when the legislature assembled, an extensive program of legislation was contemplated. The governor's mes- sage recommended a thorough revision of the territorial code and the enactment of laws relating to education, the salines, the courts, and the militia. The house appointed committees on military affairs and on schools, both of which were directed to re- port "by bill." On October 9, however, the same day the elections were completed, the senate adopted a resolution "that a commit- tee of two be appointed by the senate to confer with such com- mittee as may be appointed by the house of representatives, to enquire into the expediency of an adjournment of the gen- eral assembly until a time sufficient for information to be re- ceived of the ratification of the constitution by the congress of the United States; and if an adjournment is expedient, to en- quire what particular important business is necessary for the general assembly to provide for before such an adjournment." In this resolution the house concurred after changing it to direct the committees to confer with the governor on the subject, an amendment which was accepted by the senate.
On the following day a report of "the committee appointed to confer with the governor on the expediency of an adjourn- ment" was adopted by the house in the form of a resolution that the general assembly "will not, at this present session, pro- ceed to the enaction of any laws of a public or private nature .- but it being in the opinion of this legislature, necessary that a special meeting thereof ought to be held as soon as possible after this state has been regularly admitted into the union.
"Be it therefore, and it is further resolved, that the governor
ACHSAH BOND, WIFE OF SHADRACH BOND [From original painting owned by Chicago Historical Society]
307
A STATE IN THE UNION
of the state be, and he is hereby requested, as soon as he shall ascertain that this state has been so admitted into the union, to issue his proclamation for calling a special meeting of the general assembly of the state, at a convenient time thereafter."
This resolution was at once sent in a message to the senate which amended it by inserting after the word "nature" the words "except such as may be recommended by the joint com- mittee appointed to confer with the governor." The house ac- cepted the amendment. Later in the day, however, when the joint committee presented its second report, a majority in both houses was found to be opposed to any legislation whatever. The report in question recommended the enactment of a law "to organize the supreme court" but considered it "advisable to fix the first terms of the courts at a period so far distant as to give time for the ratification of the constitution to be made known." A law to continue in force the territorial laws and another "to authorize the secretary of this state to receive into his posses- sion the books, papers and records appertaining to the office of the late secretary of the Illinois territory" were also consid- ered necessary. The senate refused to concur in this report, by a vote of six to eight, while in the house it was laid on the table. On Monday, October 12, the house adopted by a vote of six- teen to ten a resolution for immediate adjournment until the first Monday in January, 1819. Two unsuccessful attempts were made the next day to take the report of the joint com- mittee from the table, but the senate adopted the resolution for adjournment after amending it by striking out the date for reassembling. The house concurred in the amendment and on Tuesday, October 13, at 4 p. m. the first general assembly stood adjourned to await the call of the governor.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.