ILLINOIS IN THE COUNCILS OF THE NATION.

(Mrs. John A. Logan.)

When Illinois was a part of the great Northwest Territory she had her intellectual giants who made themselves heard at the capital. It is not the purpose of this paper to go into a minute history of Illinois or to attempt to give sketches of all her illustrious men. Though long familiar with the history of the most conspicuous characters, there are many whom I have not known personally, for you must remember that Illinois was admitted as a State in 1818. Long before admission, however, Illinoisans had made profound impressions in the councils of the Nation by their superior abilities, acumen and political wisdom.

Among the early settlers in the great Northwest Territory, who cast their lot in that part subsequently included in the boundaries of Illinois, there came from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and North Carolina some remarkable men of collegiate education and rare mentality. These, together with the large number of French colonists, followers of LaSalle, who first settled in Southwest Illinois were without question, in advance in intelligence and erudition of any of the pioneers who had ventured beyond the Alleghanies. Among them we find such conspicuous names as Shadrack Bond, Sr. and Jr.; John Rice Jones; Pierre Menard; William, James and Samuel Morrison; Israel Dodge; John Hay; James McRoberts; Robert Reynolds; Dr. Geo. Fisher; the Andersons, Thompsons, Erwins, McDonalds, McBrides, Clarks, Edgars, Popes, Jenkins, Logans, Marshalls, Beggs, Thomas, and a score of others who have in one way and another contributed to the glory and prosperity of Illi. nois and made their own names immortal.

The scandals that had been brought upon the Northwest Territory through the dishonest speculations and frauds perpetrated on the Indians and earliest settlers by the connivance of St. Clair, the first governor of the Northwest Territory, and his friends, were very grave; his action being so flagrantly wrong that both Washington and Jefferson severely rebuked him. Consequently the movers of the proposition to organize the Territory of Illinois were seriously embarrassed. It required much sagacity, consummate diplomacy, indubitable evidence of sterling integrity and public spirit to secure favorable action by Congress and the government.

It was intended to make not less than three, or more than five states out of the great Northwest Territory, therefore it was a matter

of no small moment that all prejudice should be removed from the movers of the proposition so that the various interests of the new territory should be properly protected.

Shadrach Bond, Sr., the delegate sent to Washington to secure the passage of the bill authorizing the organization of the territory had to exercise much skill in every move he made. He proved himself equal to the commission. He was a farmer originally from Maryland, was a man of unusual ability without much education, but in the matter of managing difficult problems remarkably skillful. He was genial and affable and made a most favorable impression, accomplishing much more than was expected and quite as much as could be done today by the most astute representative from any of the territories that have recently been admitted as states. His only desire was to secure a government that would protect the pioneers and original settlers of the rich territory that was only waiting to be colonized to make it one of the most productive of the Union. The people rewarded him by making him the first Governor after the admission of Illinois as a State in 1818.

The advancement of the Territory from the first to the second grade was naturally rather slow, notwithstanding the activity of the people and marked ability of the delegates in Congress. However, in January, 1818, Nathaniel Pope, the delegate in Congress at that time, introduced a bill providing for the admission of Illinois as a state. Few territories have been so fortunate as Illinois was in their delegates in Congress at the time of their petition, for admission as states. To his far-seeing statesmanship we are indebted for the present prowess of Illinois, commercially, politically and geographically. He appreciated that in all republics there was ever danger of dissolution, should one member of the confederated states have advantages independent of the others. He understood the importance of the commanding position Illinois would occupy through her geographical situation if the proper boundaries were established and maintained. No petitions were placed in his hands setting forth the important points to be incorporated in the bill establishing boundaries and fixing the status of the State and her relations to other states.

In the fertile brain of Nathaniel Pope was conceived the wonderful provisions of the bill under which Illinois was admitted. The clause extending the boundaries "north of the southern bend of the lake" giving extensive coast line on Lake Michigan; extending the western boundary 50 miles west to the Mississippi river, establishing the boundaries on the east and southeast along the Ohio river to the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, giving us 150 miles coast on the Ohio river, was a masterful stand evermore as silent barriers against any movement for the dissolution of the Union.

The area included within its boundaries is of such a character that it will continue to furnish support for a population of millions and will also provide channels for the commerce of the world. Nathaniel Pope watched with jealous care, vigilance and fidelity every interest

of the new State so favorably launched through his wise statesmanship. His son, Maj. Gen. John Pope, rendered conspicuous service to his country in the Civil war and thereby added laurels to the name of Pope so prominently identified with Illinois.

Ninian Edwards and Jesse B. Thomas were elected United States Senators by the first Legislature. Two more dissimilar men could not possibly have been found. Senator Edwards was a lawyer by profession. He had been on the bench in Kentucky before he came to Illinois. He brought with him to his new home where he was destined to be so fortunate, all the dignity of the judiciary which well befitted him for the Senate. He was a man of imposing appearance, always well dressed, tactful and intelligent, he soon became an important member of the Senate acquiring a national reputation. Mr. Monroe appointed him, on the expiration of his term in the Senate, Minister to Mexico. He became, however, involved in trouble through partisanship in the presidential campaign of 1824, on account of charges of corruption he made against W. H. Crawford, then Secretary of the Treasury. He was called before an investigating committee and failing to prove his charges, feeling ran high against him, and he resigned his mission to Mexico; returning to Illinois to continue his warfare on dishonesty in public affairs by attacking the banking system which had wrought such financial disaster to the new State. Albeit the banking influence was against Mr. Edwards he was elected Governor of the State and was inaugurated with much pomp and ceremony, appearing before the General Assembly, wearing a gold lace cloak over a suit of fine broadcloth, short breeches, long stockings, top boots, he delivered his inaugural address with much dignity and eloquence.

With the prejudice then existing against dress and display it was curious that Governor Edwards should have always succeeded in his campaigns notwithstanding he invariably canvassed, decked out as above described, and was driven from place to place in one of the finest carriages of the times, drawn by four magnificent horses with two colored servants on the box. He would not descend to the low electioneering arts of the times or cater to the mob by providing free whiskey on every occasion as many good men did. In Congress and as Chief Executive of Illinois, Governor Edwards was a potent influence in all that was done for the advancement and development of his State and country.

Senator Jesse B. Thomas was also a large and liberal minded, good natured man, in no sense cultured or a good speaker, but a most adroit and winning man. It was a maxim with him that "no man could be talked down with loud and bold words, but any one might be whispered to death," which is indicative of the frank and honest man that he was. He had no secrets, but won the support of Congress for the measures he desired to pass by his honesty of purpose and sincerity of manner.

Daniel P. Cook, member of the House of Representatives from 1819 to 1826, was one of the most talented representatives Illinois

has ever had. He was accomplished, consistent, morally courageous, a fine speaker, astute in judgment, gracious and sincere in manner, his personality gave him great power in the house. He rose to the chairmanship of the ways and means committee. He secured the donation of 300,000 acres of land for the construction of the Illinois and Michigan canal. His name has been perpetuated by naming the county of Cook for him.

Almost all the counties in the State are named for men who have distinguished themselves in the service of the State and it is to be regretted that there are not more counties to be named for other illustrious Illinoisans.

Daniel P. Cook was succeeded by Governor Duncan, who was an honest, agreeable man of sound convictions, but little education, and from annals consulted does not seem to have equalled Mr. Cook in ability, statesmanship or effectivness in securing legislation in the interest of his State.

John McLean, of Shawneetown, was also a prominent figure from Illinois. He served one term in the House, and was twice elected to the Senate, but did not live to serve out his last term. He died in 1830. He was one of the leaders in both Houses. The county of McLean was named in his honor.

Elias K. Kane, originally from New York, one of the ablest lawyers of his time, was also twice elected to the United States Senate, but died in Washington during his second term.

Brilliant, finely educated and endowed by nature with all the qualities of head and heart that go to make a manly man, he was enabled to render important service to his State in the Senate as he had in the Constitutional Convention.

Judge Sidney Breese, a college graduate, fine logician and a man of genuine qualities, was also a United States Senator from Illinois. To him belonged the credit of having first agitated the question of railroads. He was not so brilliant or eloquent as some others, but was a prodigious worker and gained many points in Congress for Illinois.

In 1837, Stephen A. Douglas was elected to Congress from the Peoria district. "The Little Giant," as you remember he was called, had occupied his seat but a brief time when he attracted universal attention by his brilliancy and readiness in debate. He knew nothing of reticence, but was a dashing, daring, aggressive man, who would have accomplished more if he had been less impulsive. He was an intense partisan and would probably have followed the Democratic party in its advocacy of slavery but from the fact that he represented a free state and it would have cost him his position. The joint discussions between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln will ever stand as the most remarkable exposition of political questions and principles that has ever occurred, developing abilities in both men previously unknown to their most ardent partisans.

Mr. Douglas won the prize of election to the United States Senate, but Mr. Lincoln won the popular vote. Douglas' victory did not stay the swelling tide that was carrying the Nation to the conflict of the "impending crisis." In the Senate Mr. Douglas quickly attained the leadership of his party. It is doubtful if the records of Congress have preserved more eloquent speeches than those of Mr. Douglas on the questions he espoused. "The Missouri Compromise," "Kansas Nebraska Bill," "Popular Sovereignty" and other questions of vital national importance, he advocated with all the vehemence of his intense nature. His appeal for the adoption of the Crittenden Compromise as the last hope of averting the Civil War is still ringing in my ears, though 43 years have come and gone since I listened to his burning words as he stood in the Senate pleading for peace at any cost save the dissolution of the Union. His personal magnetism and the earnest words were of no avail, and he had to bow his head in submission to another disappointment, having been defeated for the Presidency in 1860. He was loyal to his country and when he could hold his party no longer, he arrayed himself on the side of the Union and was among the most sincere patriots who hailed Mr. Lincoln's coming to Washington with unfeigned joy, believing that he would save the Union from dismemberment.

Many of the southern Senators, personal friends of Senator Dougglas, had left Washington before the 4th of March, 1861, to join the secession movement. I can never forget his deep grief over the state of affairs. Night after night he came to the house where John A. McClernand, P. B. Fouke and John A. Logan and their families lived, to talk over the approaching conflict; or how during the struggle over the Crittenden Compromise he would send for the above named to come to his residence on "I" street, where they met many other loyal democrats who could not follow their party to the destruction of their country and the dissolution of the Union. No man could have done more than Douglas to undo the mistakes he had unwittingly made. Could he have lived a few months longer he would have been a great power in support of Mr. Lincoln and the war measures that had to be adopted. Illinois is indebted to him for much that marked her advancement and gave her power and influence in the Nation, not the least of which was securing legislation that resulted in the building of the Illinois Central railroad.

Lyman Trumbull, that patient, astute, faithful Senator was the antipode of Douglas, in every respect. He was always deliberate, cool and calculating, a good lawyer, able debator. He labored incessantly in the interest of Illinois but within much narrower lines than Douglas. He served his State, however, for 18 years in the United States Senate with great credit and fidelity.

O. H. Browning, his colleague, appointed by Governor Yates to succeed Senator Douglas, was a ponderous sort of a man but one who wielded great influence. After his term expired he was secretary of the interior and for a brief time secretary of the treasury.