P. 219 ILLINOIS FROM 1838 TO 1846
THOMAS CARLIN ELECTED GOVERNOR—”TIPPECANOE AND TYLER Too”—
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES COLLAPSE—
GOVERNOR THOMAS FORD—ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL PROGRESSES—
SOME SOCIAL PROBLEMS
THOMAS CARLIN ELECTED GOVERNOR
The election for governor and other offices was held in August, 1838. There were two leading candidates for governor. Cyrus W. Edwards, a Whig, announced his candidacy and allied himself with the improvement system. His opponent was Thomas Carlin, of Carrollton, Greene county. Mr. Carlin was a “Democrat of the straightest sect.” Notwithstanding the important local interest of the state, the campaign managers apparently recognized the national interest as paramount. The Whig ticket in Morgan county was headed “Anti-Sub-treasury Ticket. For a sound specie-paying National Bank, and for curtailing the Internal Improvement System.” To meet this array of political principles the opposing ticket read “For the Sub-treasury. Against a National Bank, and for a vigorous prosecution and final completion of the Internal Improvement System.” The canvass was a strenuous one and was participated in by the leading Whigs and Democrats. The Democrats were victorious by a majority of less than one thousand votes. The legislature met in December and Governor Carlin was inducted into office. - He unfortunately encouraged the improvement people and, as has been said, nearly a million dollars additional appropriations were added to the improvement schemes. In addition some measures of general interest were passed; one to establish the library for the supreme court; one to establish the P 220 Illinois Asylum for the education of the deaf and dumb; one requiring the governor to reside at the seat of government of the state. We have already spoken of the removal of the capital from Vandalia to Springfield, The constitution of 1818 provided that the capital should remain in Kaskaskia until removed by action of the general assembly. It also provided that when so removed it must remain where located for twenty years. The legislature of 1836-7, by a vote of the senate and house, located the capital at Springfield, In the session of the legislature of 1838-9, steps were taken for the transfer of the records and other belongings of the state. A state house was under construction, but not complete, and at the convening of the legislature in special session on December 9, 1839, the use of the Second Presbyterian church was secured for the sittings of the house; the Methodist church, for the senate; and the Episcopal church for the supreme court. The capitol which was undergoing construction was to be a very elegant and commodious building. It was located in the center of the square, and was 123 feet long, 89 feet wide, and 44 feet high. It was constructed from native stone quarried only a few miles from the town. At the north and south ends very large round pillars supported a projecting portico, and the whole was surmounted by a dome of proper proportion. It is still standing and has been extensively repaired, and enlarged by putting an extra story between the basement and what was formerly the first story. It is now the courthouse for Sangamon county. The special session of the legislature which met in Springfield December 9, 1839, was chiefly concerned about the winding up of the affairs of the collapsed improvement scheme. The session was adjourned February 3, 1840.“TIPPECANOE AND TYLER TOO”
The great “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too” campaign of 1840 was warmly contested in Illinois. It was in this campaign that the wonderful powers of Lincoln and Douglas as public orators became known through the state and the nation. Illinois was divided into three congressional districts, the third being made of the thirty-four northern counties. Stephen A. Douglas and Mr. John T. Stuart, Lincoln’s law partner, were candidates for congress in this district in 1838, and Stuart was elected by fourteen votes, In the canvass of 1840 this district was therefore fighting ground. The Whigs planned a large meeting in Springfield in June, 1840. Lincoln was one of the five presidential electors and he was very anxious not to be defeated. To this meeting came twenty thousand, some said fifty thousand people. They came from as far north as Chicago. It took fourteen teams to bring the Chicago delegation and they were three weeks on the journey. They brought a two-masted ship with a band of music and a six pound cannon. Delegations came from all directions. A log cabin was drawn in the procession by thirty yoke of oxen, and in a hickory tree planted by the side of this cabin live coons were playing; a barrel of hard cider stood near the door. Lincoln made a great speech, possibly several during the day, from a wagon. Thousands of people crowded around him. He was then only thirty-one years old, but was rapidly coming into public favor. The Democrats held enthusiastic gatherings throughout the state at P. 221 which eloquent speakers praised the virtues of “little Van.” The Democrats carried Illinois by a majority of 1,939. This is accounted for by noting the vote along the canal and in Cook and St. Clair counties. Here the foreign vote was large, and they are supposed to have voted with the Democrats. The questions over which these two parties fought their campaign were: Internal improvements by the general government, United States Bank, Protective Tariff, National Economy. There was also elected in the fall of 1840 a legislature. And instead of selecting men who were especially fitted to solve the problems arising in the state, men were selected largely by reason of their affiliation with national parties. There was a lack of sympathy between these strong partisans when they came together in the state legislature, and often the interests of the state suffered by reason thereof. There was some talk in the years of 1839-40-41, of repudiating the state’s great debt. This is usually considered a ·very unpatriotic proceeding. A state may, however, repudiate its debt and there were those who were favorable to such action. Of course few public men talked of repudiation openly, but privately many were favorable to it Governor Ford, in his history, says: “It is my solemn belief that when I came into office, I had the power to make Illinois a repudiating state.” Governor Ford means that all the people needed was a bold leader. But no legislative action was ever taken which looked toward repudiation. The state's indebtedness was eventually paid and the honor of the state saved.INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES COLLAPSE
By 1840 it was seen that the state could not carry out its improvement plans and steps were taken to abandon the work. And while there was an effort to continue certain phases of the work the general feeling was that the safest and sanest thing to do was to reverse completely the policy. Laws were passed abolishing the board of fund commissioners and the board of public works. One fund commissioner was then authorized to act but without power to sell bonds or to borrow money on the credit of the state. A board of public works, consisting of three members was created. This fund commissioner and this board of public works were to wind up all business without delay, pay off all contractors in orders on the treasury, and discharge all employees except such as were absolutely necessary to wind up the business. All bonds unsold were to be returned and burned. The new board of public works was to take charge and operate any roads which were near completion. The work on the Illinois and Michigan canal was not checked. The “Great Northern Cross Railroad,” which was being constructed from Springfield to Quincy was completed from Meredosia to Jacksonville, a distance of about twenty-five miles. The total cost of the road between these points was $1,000,000. An engine was put on in 1842. The income was not as large as the expenses and in the course of a year or so the engine was taken off and the road was leased and run by mule power for several years. It was eventually sold for $100,000. which was paid for in state stock which was worth twenty-one cents on the dollar. In 1840 our indebtedness was more than $14,000,000. This large debt should, however, be credited by the following items: P 222 Forty-two thousand acres of land bought by the state, unsold. Two hundred thirty thousand four hundred sixty seven acres of canal donation unsold. Three thousand four hundred ninety-one town lots in Chicago, OP tawa, etc. Two hundred ten thousand acres of land donated by congress in 1841. A large consignment of railroad iron. Large pieces of unfinished railroad in the state. Illinois and Michigan canal. Thus stood the debit and credit sides of the state’s account in 1840 when the internal improvement schemes collapsed.GOVERNOR THOMAS FORD
Conventions for the nomination of candidates were a part of the party machinery by 1842. It appears also that people in those days believed in long drawn out campaigns, for as early as December, 1841, the Democratic state convention was held in Springfield for the nomination of candidates for state offices. The honors fell upon Adam W. Snyder, of St. Clair county, for governor, and upon John Moore, of McLean county, for lieutenant governor, In the spring of 1842 ex-Governor Duncan became the Whig candidate for governor, and W. H. Henderson, for lieutenant governor. The campaign promised to be a very interesting one because of the Mormon problem which was just then attracting attention. The Mormons had made liberal requests upon the legislature and it appears that Mr. Snyder, who was a member of that body, had been quite active in assisting them to secure what they desired. This fact was used against him and would probably have seriously hindered him in his canvass. But in the early summer Mr. Snyder died and it was necessary for the party to put forward another standard bearer. A Democratic caucus was called at Springfield in June, and Thomas Ford, a judge on the supreme bench, was selected as the candidate. Judge Ford was an ideal candidate for office—he was not an office seeker. He had come to Illinois as early as 1808. He was a poor boy whose father had been massacred by the Indians in Pennsylvania. He had been fortunate to have for his friend Daniel P. Cook, who assisted young Ford in many ways. Judge Ford had held the office of state’s attorney, and also Various judgeships. He in no way could be charged with interest in, or sympathy for the Mormons. The times were indeed in need of a wise counselor and a courageous leader and no one was better fitted to save the state from the impending dishonor of repudiation. The canvass was spirited, the chief topic being the Mormons, the canal, the banks, and the claims of Wisconsin to the fourteen counties in the northern part of the state. Duncan had the advantage of previous campaigning and was, besides, a strong candidate. Judge Ford no doubt thought it wise not to express too freely his views upon the troublesome questions—for they were all troublesome—and so was accused by Duncan of keeping from the people his real position on the questions of the day. When the ballots were counted Ford had beaten Duncan by over eight thousand votes. The legislature was very largely Democratic. Many prominent in the later history of the state and the P 223 nation were present as members of the legislature when it met in December, 1842. Two future governors, Matteson and Yates, were members. Governor Ford’s inaugural message was full of vigorous suggestions for the legislature. He was in favor of paying every dollar of the state’s indebtedness, he favored finishing the canal, and declared the banks should resume specie payment or suffer their business to be wound up by the state. He found the annual expense of carrying on the state government was $170,000 per year, while the receipts were only $140,000, leaving a deficit of $30,000 each year. In this way a floating debt had grown to $313,000. Auditor’s warrants on the treasury were selling for 50 cents on the dollar, while the internal improvement bonds were worth but 14 cents on the dollar. No one seemed to know just what to do; all were appalled by a bonded indebtedness of something near $15,000,000. Many were in favor of public repudiation though not generally openly announcing their views. The fact is that very few of the members of the legislature had had enough experience in handling large financial ventures to have any conception of the problem before them.ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL PROGRESSES
While the internal improvement schemes were absorbing the interests of the people, the Illinois and Michigan canal, which was in a measure an independent matter, was making very good progress. A large amount of money had been spent upon this project and there was yet quite a sum needed to finish it. Many plans had been suggested for its completion, but none were accepted until Mr. Justin Butterfield, of Chicago, a lawyer of eminent ability, and withal a patriotic man, brought forward a scheme for its completion. This was a proposition to the holders of the canal bonds to advance $160,000, the amount thought necessary to finish the canal, and to take a lien on the canal and all its property together with its income. This loan and all bonds held by those who would advance this money were to become a sort of preferred claim against the canal and its interests. This, after considerable investigation and consideration was agreed to and the completion of the canal assured. The next thing in which the governor was interested was the State Bank, for he knew that rash measures toward the banks would be looked upon with suspicion by those upon whom we were depending to finish the canal. His idea was a compromise. He drew the bill himself and it was passed by the house by one hundred and seven to four. A similar bill also passed relative to the Shawneetown bank. This bill provided that the banks which held more than $3,000,000 worth of bonds, auditor’s warrants, etc., against the state should turn them over to the state, while the state should surrender a like amount of bank stock, dollar for dollar. This arrangement with the two banks reduced the state’s indebtedness over $3,000,000. The bills also provided that the banks should go into liquidation.A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK
Another law was passed which made the governor the fund commissioner. He and the auditor were to have charge of all the property P 224 connected with the improvement scheme. They were to collect all this material and turn it into cash. A resolution was passed which pledged the state to the payment of every dollar of indebtedness which had been contracted in the internal improvement venture. All that was done by this legislature under the guidance of Governor Ford seems to have been safe and sane. At least it was so regarded at the time, for auditor’s warrants rose from 50 cents on the dollar, at the beginning of Ford‘s term, to 90 cents and above. State bonds were 14 cents on the dollar at the beginning of the administration, and before Ford went out of office they were 50 cents. It is also said that as much as $5,000,000 of the debt was wiped out by the increase in the value of the lands and appurtenances of the canal and railroad. Again, at the close of Governor Ford’s term, the floating debt was $31,212 instead of $313,000 as at the beginning. In many ways there was a restoration of confidence. Immigration was renewed and the population reached three-quarters of a million.SOME SOCIAL PROBLEMS
In the administration of Governor Ford there were two serious problems, both of which were social in their nature, though one was somewhat religious. These were the Mormon problem, and the Flathead and Regulator war in the counties bordering on the Ohio river. The Mormon problem was not in any way directly connected with Southern Illinois and for that reason only a passing notice can be taken of it. Joseph Smith was born in Vermont December 23, 1805. When a young man he claimed to have had a vision in which a book was seen which revealed a new religion. Smith organized a church April 6, 1830. Later his followers established themselves at Kirtland, Ohio, Independence, Missouri, and later at Nauvoo, Illinois. They began coming into Illinois in the fall of 1839. In two years there were as many as sixteen thousand people in Nauvoo. They soon took an active part in politics and could by holding the balance of power exercise great influence in legislation. The city of Nauvoo received a charter from the legislature of such a nature that the state laws were superseded by the city charter. The city courts were of the same rank as state courts, and the city could organize a military force. Friction between these people and the “Gentiles” of the surrounding country soon produced civil strife. The governor and the courts stood by helpless. Finally by a diplomatic move the state authorities secured the leader, Joseph Smith, and put him in the Hancock county jail where he was killed by a mob. The death of Smith was a great blow to the Mormon cause and soon thereafter they abandoned Nauvoo and moved west, eventually to Salt Lake. The other matter which engaged Governor Ford’s attention was known in after years as the Flathead and Regulator war. Governor Ford in his history of Illinois devotes a chapter to an account of the troubles when it was fresh in his mind. Hon. James A. Rose has also given considerable attention to the event and has made quite a collection of facts which has been filed in the State Historical library. The period from 1830 to 1850 was one of great disturbance and unrest in Illinois. Within these two decades history records the Black Hawk war, the assassination of Lovejoy, internal improvement, the P 225 Mormon difficulties, the Flathead and Regulator war, the Mexican war, besides many minor disturbances. The war between the Flatheads and the Regulators was confined to the southeast part of the state, and chiefly to the counties of Hardin, Pope, and Massac, though other counties shared in the confusion and crimes resulting therefrom. This part of the state was settled chiefly by immigrants from Tennessee, the Carolinas, Virginia, and Kentucky. As early as 1800, and possibly much earlier, there was a ferry at the present little city of Golconda, and as the rough settlers from the above named states came to Illinois, they entered through the counties above mentioned. This region is located in the eastern end of the Ozarks and does not differ greatly from the Cumberland regions. It was rich in timber of all kinds which furnished mast for the hogs; cattle could live through the year on the grass and cane; the purest of water bubbled from scores of springs; and take it altogether, it was an ideal place for rugged pioneers. The people were not all bad, but many unprincipled men eventually settled in that locality. As early as 1831, a man named Sturdevant located in the upper part of Pope county, built a fort, and began to manufacture counterfeit money. There was with him a number of people and for a while they appeared to be law-abiding citizens, but their business was soon revealed. Their spurious bills and coins were scattered broadcast. It is said that Sturdevant received $16 of good money for $100 of his counterfeit money. At first some of his confederates were arrested, but upon the trial of the case the jury would hang or in some way he would escape punishment. At last the community became so exasperated that a number of the best people entered into an organization for the purpose of driving these undesirable citizens out of the country. Among those who are named as belonging to this law and order committee were: Joseph Pryor, Dr. William Sim, Rev. William Rondeau, Hugh McNulty, Maj. John Raum, and others. It was the plan to raid the house in which Sturdevant had his tools, plates, etc. In some way the counterfeiter found out about the contemplated raid and was prepared with “shot and shell.” A battle ensued in which it is said that three of the counterfeiters were killed. The siege lasted till night when the outlaws made their escape. For a while the community was orderly, and there seemed to be no signs of outlawry. But soon the locality was disturbed by horse stealing and the presence of counterfeit money. The road leading west from Golconda was the one used by travelers and immigrants from Kentucky. There was a ferry at Golconda and travel naturally centered at the ferry. Whenever any of the better citizens would complain about these irregularities, they were sure to pay the penalty for their complaints in the loss of stock, the burning of their barns, or some form of personal harm. In fact there were instances of assassination as the penalty for freely expressing one’s opinion as to who was guilty of horse stealing or passing counterfeit money. Another form of lawlessness practiced by the reckless element of the region of these river counties was kidnapping. The “Black Laws” were very severe on negroes who came into the state without freedom papers. Nor were negroes who were free, safe from kidnappers. These counties were the homes of a number of negroes and mulattoes who had P 226 been given their freedom. A case is given in which three colored children were kidnapped by prominent citizens in Pope and Massac and sold in St. Louis, and eventually restored to their parents. The one responsible for revealing the names of the kidnappers died shortly after from “apoplexy.” A revolting story is told of the murderous attack upon an old man and his wife for being interested in some money sent into Pope county for some free negroes. The records of some of the Ohio river counties are yet burdened with some of the indictments and trials of those who were concerned in this shameful business. Public order was so disturbed and life and property so insecure that an organization was effected whose purpose was to safeguard life and property and restore the quiet and order in the community. This organization was known as the Regulators. Some of the good men who supported the law-and-order committee were: Dr. William Sum, Judge Wesley Sloan, Sheriff William Finley, James McCoy, Thomas Campbell, John Raum, father of General Raum, and others. The persons who were accused of the violation of the laws were called Flatheads. The Regulators arrested several men accused of the attempted murder of Mr. and Mrs. Sides, spoken of above. In this case there were indictments and confinement in jail but never any regular trials in Pope county. Several of the accused were unmercifully whipped and others ordered to leave the county. Some were taken to Vienna on a change of venue and sentenced to the penitentiary. While this struggle between the Regulators and the Flatheads was going on, the legislature created Massac county. It is said this action was secured through the influence of the Flatheads with the thought that this element might control in that county and thus furnish a sort of place of refuge for outlaws. The two elements—Regulators and Flatlleads—were no longer so fully differentiated as they were at first. Not all bad people belonged to the Flatheads nor all good people to the Regulators. “The cruelties perpetrated by some of the so-called Regulators were such that good men began to revolt.” Flatheads were taken into the woods, strapped to a log and their backs beaten with hickory withes. Some were tied up to trees with weights fastened to their hands and left till they were all but dead. Judge Scates, who came to Metropolis to hold court in 1846, was virtually defied by the Regulators. So unbearable had become the conduct of the Regulators that the Flatheads joined with the civil authorities for the preservation of order. These disorders were at their height about the time of the trouble with the Mormons. Governor Ford was giving most of his attention to the problem of the Mormons, and apparently neglected the troubles along the Ohio. The governor did, however, appoint Dr. William I. Gibbs of Johnson county, to make an investigation into the matters in Massac county, which he did. He and others secured what they supposed was a sort of compromise, which worked out to the disadvantage of the Flatheads. Governor Augustus C. French succeeded Governor Ford in December, 1846, and without delay gave attention to the affairs of the Ohio river counties. He commissioned Capt. W. S. Akin, A. D. Duff, and Samuel K. Casey, all of Franklin county, to go into Massac county and make full investigation and report. This they did, saying that there were good and bad men on both sides, and that the conditions were unbearable. The legislature created an extra court, which should P 227 try these cases out of the county in which the offence was committed, but this was held invalid and no relief came from that source. The war continued. A regular pitched battle between armed bodies was fought near Metropolis in 1849, in which about one hundred and fifty armed men engaged. These disturbances occupied the attention of the governor, the courts, and the legislature during the years of 1848 and 1849. Finally, when it was seen that the state government was in earnest in its purpose to suppress the disorders, quiet was soon restored. It should be said of these people today that they are a law-abiding, industrious, kind-hearted people, who would make any sacrifices necessary in maintaining the good name of their counties. This war between the Flatheads and the Regulators became so noted that accounts of the disturbances were regularly published in the New Orleans Picayune, Louisville Journal, the New York Saturday Evening Post, the Courier of Philadelphia, and the St. Louis Republican. There are yet to be seen in these counties and adjacent counties remains of old forts usually constructed of rock, and enclosing considerable areas of ground. The people living here do not seem to have any explanation of these forts, but it is conjectured that they may have been built by the two factions in the early days of this unfortunate strife. However, this is only conjecture.
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