USA > Illinois > The centennial of the state of Illinois. Report of the Centennial Commission > Part 26
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If the Centennial celebration serves no other useful purpose, it will result in good in bringing before the people of the State a somewhat more vivid realization of the life and work of Governor Coles. I understand that under the auspices of the Centennial Commission there will soon be republished the biography of Gov- ernor Coles written by former Congressman Elihu B. Washburne, who, during the Civil War, stood as the backer and sponsor of General Grant and who afterwards served in Paris during the Franco-Prussian War, as our Minister to France. When this book is reprinted, I hope every student and lover of liberty will read it with care and every one who does so, will be well repaid .*
It is interesting in this connection to recall that Governor Coles had as one of his aides, Col. William S. Hamilton, a son of Gen. Alexander Hamilton ; that Governor Coles sent Hamilton as his special messenger to meet General LaFayette at St. Louis, at the time LaFayette made his visit to this country in 1825. Colonel Hamilton met LaFayette at St. Louis and arranged with him for a reception in his honor at Kaskaskia, where Governor Coles made the address of welcome-the reception being attended and participated in by practically all the men prominent in the
* Published as the Centennial volume of the Illinois State Historical S>- ciety as Volume No. 15 Illinois Historical Coll. etions.
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west at that time. Former Governor Reynolds states in his biog- raphy, entitled "My Own Times," that General LaFayette was escorted from Kaskaskia to Vandalia and from thence to Shawnee- town where the party embarked for Nashville in a boat chartered by the State and that LaFayette returned from Nashville up the Ohio where he had a reception at Shawneetown on his second visit. A history of Fayette County is to the same effect. I am of the opinion that Governor Reynolds is incorrect in his statement that LaFayette came to Vandalia. So far as I can verify from the records after the reception in Kaskaskia, LaFayette accompanied by Governor Coles, returned down the Mississippi to Nashville and then went from Nashville up the Ohio, stopping for a reception at Shawneetown, where I think Governor Coles left him, returning across the State to Vandalia. La Fayette's private secretary ( Levas- senr) writing an account of this visit to America, states that they went down the Mississippi River from Kaskaskia. The files of the Illinois Intelligencer, published in this city in 1825, owned by the Illinois State Historical Society, made no mention of La Fayette's visiting Vandalia, so it seems quite certain from that lack of men- tion and from the other authorities available, that Governor Reynolds in his recollection was wrong in saying that LaFayette came to Vandalia. Fayette County was named after La Fayette.
In investigating the early history of Illinois with reference to this city while it was the capital of the State, I have run on to many things of interest to me, that I am sure might interest most of you, but time will permit only a brief reference to some of the most striking of these things. Earlier I referred, briefly, to the fact that probably one of the reasons for the agitation as to remor- ing the capital from Vandalia, grew out of the lack and difficulties of proper transportation to and from this city. In one of the historical reviews of the first years of Illinois I find a statement that in 1822 it cost $151.8? to make a trip from Vandalia to Shawneetown and return, the round trip requiring fourteen days. (Boggess, Settlement of Illinois, p. 150.) The same author says in the same work (p. 161). that in 1820 the charge for carrying either baggage or persons from Baltimore to Wheeling was $5 to $? per hundred weight and that persons wishing to travel cheaply
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had their luggage transported, while they walked. In 1831 stage lines were used to convey passengers from the principal points in this State to other localities. Once a week a stage went to Van- dalia from St. Louis by way of Edwardsville and Greenville. (Pooley on Settlement of Illinois, p. 357.) Vandalia in those days seems to have been the diverging point from which mails were sent out in nearly every direction, southeast to Vincennes, Ind .; south to Mount Vernon in this State; southwest to Carlyle; northwest to Hillsboro, Taylorville, Jacksonville and Beardstown; northeast to Shelbyville. (Ross' Souvenir, p. 33.) Another writer says that the stage fare in the carly 30's in this State was ordinarily 6 cents a mile. It must also be remembered that a dollar meant much more then than at present. The want of good roads at this time across the country was very great. Much costly work, under the patronage of the United States Congress, had been done in the early 30's upon the national road extending in Illinois from oppo- site Terre Haute, Ind., to Vandalia. This was as far as the national road was constructed. Aside from this, while a number of State roads were established connecting the principal towns-which were used for mail and stage routes-but little labor or money was ex- pended upon them, none of the smaller, and only a few of the larger, streams being bridged. (1 Moses, JI. History, p. 388.) On one occasion, Judges Wilson and Lockwood of the Supreme Court of the State and Attorney Henry Eddy, were traveling by horseback from Carmi to Vandalia -- a distance of sixty miles- when they were overtaken by a storm of wind, sleet and snow, and after traveling all day they became so fatigued that they were un- able to proceed farther; so they tied their horses and spread a blanket on the ground near a fallen tree and sat down close together to obtain as much warmth as possible by contact with each other and thus spent the rest of the dismal night ; then they proceeded in the morning half frozen and on reaching the Kaskaskia River, opposite Vandalia, about noon, they found its banks full to over- flowing. There being no other alternative, they plunged in and swam their horses over, riding into town about "used up." Judge Lockwood, who had long been in delicate health, feared that the exposures of this trip might be fatal, but strange to relate,
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he suffered no evil consequences, thereafter enjoying better health than he had for years. (1 Moses Ill. Note, p. 389.) Mani- festly, as costly as we think travel is in these war times, it is much less costly and far more comfortable and more rapid than in those days when Vandalia was the State Capital.
Many of the earlier settlers in the southern part of this State came by the water route down the Ohio River and up the Missis- sippi, and, so far as possible, up the rivers in this State. I have no doubt that one of the reasons why the first Constitutional Con- vention attempted to locate the permanent eapital on the Kaskaskia River was because they thought it would be more easily reached by the water route than any other way. I have found in a copy of one of the first magazines published in this State, called the "Illinois Magazine," edited and conducted by James Hall, at one time one of the circuit judges of this State, (this magazine being published at one time. I understand, in Vandalia), an article in the January 1832 number, on Vandalia, in which there is discussed at some length the location of Vandalia and its advantages. It states that the city is about 100 miles by land from the junction of the Kaskaskia River with the Mississippi and 314 miles by the river route: that this stream was destined to be one of the most useful in the State; that it was navigable for steamboats for six months in the year : that in high water, there was not a single obstruction in its whole course, exeept such as are created by logs and trees falling accidentally into the river; that these at that time had all been removed as far up as 23 miles north of Carlyle. and that the river might be navigated to that point ; that at a small expense the river could be made navigable to Shelbyville, forty miles by land north of Vandalia. Certain points other than Van- dalia that sought the location of the State Capital at the time Vandalia was chosen, urged as one of their advantages the navi- gability of this river at such points. (See Ill. Centennial Ilistory, Preliminary Vol. Ill. in 1818. pp. 282, 288.) We think this glow- ing account of the navigability of the Kaskaskia River was some- what overdrawn. Ross in his history of this eity refers to an ac- count of one Lee taking two flat hoats on the Kaskaskia River loaded with produce down the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers
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to New Orleans as if it was an uncommon occurrence, and while I have no doubt that in the early history of this State it was sup- posed that the Kaskaskia was going to be made a navigable river by the improvements that would be made by public authorities, I question whether the Kaskaskia was ever really navigable for steam- boats up to this point, as indicated in the magazine edited by Judge Hall.
Quite a prominent feature of the legislation of this State while the capital was located at Vandalia. was the attempt to make the people rich by legislation. In 1821 the Illinois State Bank was created with a capital of a half a million dollars. The principal bank was located here at Vandalia, with branches well distributed at Edwardsville. Brownsville, Shawneetown and the county seat of Edwards County. Each county in the State was entitled to a director, who, with the bank officers, were to be elected by the Legis- lature. Three hundred thousand dollars in paper money was issued by this bank. The result of the creation of this bank and the issuing of this money upon the prosperity of the State was very damaging ; the community as a whole suffered greatly by this un- wise legislation. Perhaps even more unwise than the attempt to make the State rich by issuing bank paper, so as to increase busi- ness by the circulation of paper money, was the attempt to make public improvements through lottery schemes ; thus, the navigation of the Wabash River at the Grand Rapids, near Palmyra, by the digging of a canal, was attempted to be promoted and brought about by a lottery. Other like schemes with similar objects were undertaken with reference to draining ponds, building levees and the reclamation of lands on the American buttoms. All of those schemes failed miserably because they were not based upon sound business principles. (Davidson & Stuve's History of Ill. pp. 304. 302.)
One of the most interesting things that has come to my atten- tion concerning Vandalia in reading on Illinois history, is in refer- ence to the first church bell that was hung in a Protestant Church in Illinois. This bell was presented to the Presbyterian Church of this city in 1830 by Romulus Riggs-a wealthy merchant of Philadelphia. ITe had extensive Imsiness dealings in Illinois and
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became the owner of a large quantity of farm land in the so-called Military Tract in this State. In 1830, on the birth of a daughter, to whom he gave the name "Illinois," he presented this bell to the Presbyterian Church of Vandalia and it bore the inscription : "Illinois Riggs to the Presbyterian Congregation of Vandalia, 1830." Illinois Riggs was the youngest daughter of a large family. Her father left her by his will a large interest in much of his land in this State, and the lawyers here and those who study curious events in our history, will be interested in learning that there is now considerable litigation going on in various counties in the Military Tract with reference to the ownership of some of this land left by the will of Romulus Riggs to his daughter, Illinois. Mr. Riggs, unwisely, as many other wealthy men have done, attempted to put certain minute restrictions in his will as to where the title to this land should go after his death and this has resulted in leaving the title to much valuable land in several counties in this State in an uncertain condition. This litigation, I am told, will continue for some years before it is finally settled.
During the early settlement of this State attempts were made in certain. sections to locate colonies. In this State, under the leadership of Birkbeck and Flower, an English colony was located in Edwards County near Albion. Several other colonies were located at different points in the State by the Germans and English. In 1819. Ferdinand Ernst, a gentleman of wealth and literary ability, came from Hanover, Germany, to this country leading a colony of thirty families. They settled in or near Vandalia, soon after this city was chosen as the capital. It appears that they pur- chased some of the first lots that were sold after Vandalia was sub- divided, and some of the members of this colony were leading citi- zens of this city for years. Their leader, Mr. Ernst, died within a short time after he settled here and his heirs decided to return to their former home. Ernst and his wife, in 1821. had purchased certain lots in this city and had given their notes, secured by mort- gage, for the unpaid purchase price. The notes and mortgage were not paid when due and the mortgage was forcelosed in accordance with the procedure in vogue at that time. In 1823 the Legislature passed an act relieving the estate of Ernst from the payment of
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this obligation. (Session Laws of 1823. p. 17 .. ) The trial court held that this act did not release the Ernst estate from the payment of the obligation. The Supreme Court, Judge John Reynolds writ- ing the opinion, reversed the trial court's decision and held that the legislative act was valid and that the Einst cstate was relieved from the payment of the obligation due the State of Illinois. (Ernst Administration v. State Bank, 1 Ill. p. S6.)
Illinois, as one of the five states created out of the Northwest Territory, has had a great luistory. Some of its citizens have been foremost leaders in national affaire. Never in its history did it have meu more worthy of confidence and respect than during the time that Vandalia was the State Capital. The Tenth General Assembly, which convened here in Vandalia, December 5, 1836, was one of the most remarkable bodies of law makers ever assembled in this or any other State; so far as I am aware, no roll of any other legislative body ever included so many names destined to become leaders of this nation. Among its members were included Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, six future United States Senators, eight members of the National House of Representatives, a secretary of the interior, three judges of the State Supreme Court, and seven State officers. Among them were not only Lin- coln and Douglas, but Edward D. Baker, who, thereafter, repre- sented Illinois and then Oregon in Congress and fell, mortally wounded, while leading his regiment at Ball's Bluff ; O. IT. Brown- ing. afterwards U. S. Senator and a member of President Johnson's cabinet : William L. D. Ewing, who had just completed his service in the U. S. Senate; John Logan, father of the late Gen. Jolin A. Logan: Richard N. Cullom, father of the late Senator Cullom; John A. M.Clernand, afterward member of Congress and a noted general in the Civil War; Gen. James Shields, Col. John J. Hardin, James Semple, who was elected Speaker of that House and after- wards served as judge of the State Supreme Court and United States Senator : Augustus C. French, afterwards Governor of Illi- nois : Usher F. Linder. at one time Attorney General of the State, and others. (1 Moses History of Ill. p. 10 ;. ) Other leaders in State affairs during the time Vandalia was the capital were also prominent in national affairs. Ninian Edwards, the first and only
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Territorial Governor, before he was appointed to that office, was Chief Justice of the highest court of review of Kentucky. Edwards was one of the first United States Senators from this State and the third Governor of the State and his correspondence, published after his death by his son, Ninian Wirt Edwards-(who was one of the members of the Legislature from Springfield at the time the Capital was removed from Vandalia to Springfield) shows that Governor Edwards was well acquainted with many of the leading men of the country, who sought his advice on the public questions of the day.
In studying the early history of Illinois, I have been impressed more and more with the fact that then, as now, in a State like ours, public opinion has greit influence in guiding and controlling officials in their duties. Lincoln was right when he said at the Ottawa Debate with Douglas, that in a popular government like ours, publie opinion is the most powerful weapon; that it is more influential than the legislatures or the courts: that it can make and unmake the legislative acis or the decisions of the courts. A great English writer has stated that the legislature in their enact- ments represent the public opinion of yesterday, while the decisions of the courts represent the public opinion of day before yesterday. I am disposedl to think that in the long run public opinion will influence, directly or indirectly. not only the legislature but the courts. on great publie questions. The historian Von Holst. in writing the con ritutional history of this country, stated, in regard to the course of the Federal Supreme Court with reference to the slavery question. that it was found that that court did not stand on that question like the rock of Gibraltar, resisting all influence. or change as public opinion changed, but rather its actions were fairly representel by the action of a great glacier moving slowly down a valley formed by public opinion and conforming to the shape of the valley as it moved.
In this great world-struggle in which our nation is engaged. it is therefore important that public opinion should be right on the great questions that caused this world war.
-- 19 C C
THE OBSERVANCE OF THE CENTENARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT, OCTOBER 5-6, 1918
The official Centennial Celebration held at the State Capital on October 4th, 5th and 6th, was one of the most impressive obser- vances of the entire Centennial Year.
On Friday evening, October 4th, "The Masque of Illinois," by Wallace Rice, was given in the Coliseum, at the State Fair Grounds, under the auspices of the Illinois Centennial Commission, in co- operation with the Sangamon County Centennial Committee. The production was given under the immediate direction of Frederick Bruegger, Pageant Master of the Illinois Centennial Commission. The cast ineluded more than one thousand characters. The story of Illinois was portrayed in a most artistic and beautiful manner, culminating in a thrilling, patriotic appeal. The production was repeated on Saturday evening, October 5th, and on both evenings the capacity of the Coliseum was taxed to the utmost. There was a nominal charge for seats, the entire proceeds being turned over to the Red Cross.
At 10:30 Saturday morning, October 5th, the cornerstone of the Centennial Memorial Building was formally laid by Governor Lowden, Lieutenant Governor John G. Oglesby presiding. A copper box was placed in the cornerstone. Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber, Sceretary of the Centennial Commission read a list of the articles and papers which the box contained. The ceremonies were brief but very impressive. Among those present at this ceremony, and at the dedicatory services following, were Lord Charnwood of England, Honorable Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy of the United States, and Mrs. Daniels, the State Executive Officers. Justices of the Supreme Court. members of the Legislature, mem- bers of the Illinois Centennial Commission, and many other persons prominent in publie life.
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Governor Lowden, in his address urged preparation for a great future in the new century of the State. He said :
"Mr. Daniels, Lord Charmwood, Ladies and Gentlemen: We have just laid the cornerstone of the Centennial Memorial Building of the State of Illinois. Tois building when it is completed will contain the archives and the memorials of the first century of our existenee as a State. That century is full of inspiration and en- couragement for the future, and today the sons of Illinois, on a score of battlefields are writing new chapters in devotion and patriotism, and are proving themselves in every way worthy of the mighty past.
"This building, therefore, while it will enshrine the past, will also be a shelter for the present, and an inspiration to the future, and as our fathers disdained no task, however humble, as they, in their creation of a great commonwealth out of nothing, met the simplest and homliest duties of the hour, so we today must not refrain from doing some of the prosaie things which we must do, if we are to build another century of greatness for Illinois.
"I presume to say on this occasion to the people of Illinois, that in my judgment, we shall not begin the new century fittingly unless we shall embrace the opportunity presented to us, and make. as the beginning of the new century, a new Constitution for Illi- nois, a comprehensive system of permanent highways for Illinois, and shall remove the reproach of harboring financial institutions within, our borders that have been built up by preying upon the weak and helpless of our State.
"And so I might say that we shall have a task-a task greater than I can define-if we are to live up to the traditions of these past hundred years, and let us look upon this cornerstone which we lay today, not simply as a cornerstone of this Memorial Build- ing, but also as a cornerstone of a century of freedom and progress and greatness, such as made the century which we are elosing today."
At 11:00 a. m., the statue of Stephen A. Douglas, by Gilbert P. Riswold, erected on the Capitol Grounds, was dedicated. Dr. Otto L. Schmidt, Chairman of the Illinois Centennial Commission acted as chairman, and introduced Governor Frank O. Lowden as
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the presiding officer. The principal address was given by Honor- able Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the United States Navy.
In introducing Secretary Daniels, Governor Lowden said :
"Today is indeed a historic one. We are closing the doors of our first century, and opening those of our second, and it is ex- ceedingly appropriate that on this day we dedicoite two statues, in memory of the two men. who, political rivals for more than a quarter of a century, always remained friends, and who, in the last years of their lives became wanted in one patriotic passion for the preservation of their country.
"And whoever speaks the name of Lincoln must always think of his great political antagonist, Stephen A. Douglas. We should teach our children that when they have visited the monument to Lincoln's memory in Springfield -- and I want to remind you that pilgrimages to that sacred tomb are being made oftener and oftener all the time from all the world -- he should turn from that and visit the tomb of Stephen A. Douglas, upon the borders of our in- land lake, and read above his dust his last words: 'Tell my chil- dren to obey the laws and nphold the Constitution.'
"But today my duty is simply to present to you one who will adequately speak of that great man of our first century, and it seems to me fitting, before I introduce this distinguished gentle- man, that I should say one werd of what our navy, and the navies of the world, are doing in this great crisis of our nation's life, because we are all familiar with the heroic exploits of our soldiers by land; we know that they have been winning anew for Illinois, and for the United States, new glory ; we know that whatever the doubts of the pessimists have been, that the young manhood of America is proving itself worthy of the best traditions of the past.
"But we do not hear so much of the navy. They are obscured in the mists of the sea, guarding silently and effectively our country, and the countries of the Allies, and though they are less in the publie view, they are none the less efficient, they are none the less entitled to the love and gratitude, than our soldiers of the battle front.
"Let it be remembered that the navies of the Allies dominate the waters of the earth. I think I learned that three quarters of
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the surface of the globe consists of water. They are guarding those waters that the skies above them may be free for the flags of liberty and civilization during all this time.
"Only a day or two ago I read in a book of our torpedo de- : stroyers this interesting incident. It appeared that Secretary Daniels, some month ago-many months ago-had sent a particular fleet of destroyers across the sea. The voyage for little ships of that kind was a great voyage, bringing a great strain, as was supposed, upon these little vessels, and when their commander reported at the naval base to the British Admiral who was in charge, he graciously said to their commander, You may have two days, or three days, or four days to get ready for action,' because he knew of the strain which they had withstood, and he asked the commander of the flotilla how long a time he required to be ready, and his answer was: 'we are ready now, sir.'
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