Overflow library crowd hears how Illinois became a state
An overflow crowd at the Chester Public Library took a few steps back into time Sept. 23 as they got some insight behind Illinois' statehood in 1818 and, in particular, Kaskaskia's role in that push.
Dr. David A. Joens, director of the Illinois State Archives and author of three books and several articles on Illinois history and government, spoke about "Kaskaskia and the Road to Statehood" to the packed house, taking them on the path that Illinois took to become a state in 1818.
Joens said Illinois was settled by southerners who came down the Ohio River through the Cumberland Gap. Many of these settlers were from slave states, such as Virginia, and slavery became quite an issue on the road to Illinois statehood.
Joens discussed various individuals who he felt were relevant in moving Illinois toward statehood: Ninian Edwards, the only governor of the Illinois territory from 1809 to 1818; Nathaniel W. Pope, a politician and jurist from the early Illinois territory; and Daniel Pope Cook, politician, lawyer and newspaper publisher, the state's first Attorney General, then congressman. Cook County is named for Daniel Pope Cook. Joens stated that, whereas in his opinion, Nathaniel Pope was "the perfect Illinoisan," Cook was the greatest advocate for Illinois statehood.
Joens traced the history of the early Illinois territory through the year of 1818, when statehood was established. He spoke, often in humorous terms, about the various ways in which nepotism and "creativity" were used by these men in order to assure that statehood would be achieved. A territory was required to have a census of 60,000 in order to be considered for statehood, but Joens said Pope managed to get that number lowered to 40,000 and then set out to 'creatively' find 40,000 residents within the territory.
He also took advantage of an "Enabling Act" that had been put into place, to alter various parts of the bill for statehood, such as managing to add 8,500 miles of territory to include what is now Chicago. He said Pope was very interested in Illinois being an educated state and managed to add to the bill for statehood, areas in all regions for schools to be established.
Joens stated that he feels that Nathaniel Pope is an "absolute hero of the state of Illinois."
Joens also talked about Elias Kent Kane, Illinois' first Secretary of State; Shadrach Bond, the first Governor of Illinois; and Lt. Governor Pierre Menard, whose historic home sits just north of Chester. Elias Kent Kane and Shadrach Bond are both buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Chester.
"Bond was a good guy and very competent," Joens said. He was unopposed in his campaign as Illinois' first governor.
The state's first General Assembly was held at Bennetts Tavern at Kaskaskia on Oct. 5, 1818. Discussion at that Assembly focused on a need to move the state capital from Kaskaskia "up the Kaskaskia River."
Shadrach Bond was sworn in as governor on Oct. 6, 1818, at Kaskaskia, along with Kane and Menard, but Illinois actually became a state in December 1818. Joens stated that when statehood was achieved, making Illinois the 21st state in the Union, there was a 21-gun salute and a "huge celebration at Kaskaskia." By 1820, the capital had been moved to Vandalia, where the second General Assembly was held.
In Joens' opinion, "moving the capital from Kaskaskia was a huge mistake."
Joens stated that at the point of becoming a state, Illinois chose the motto: "State Sovereignty - National Union." Illinois still has the same motto two hundred years later.