Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-01-22

To Ae General assembly Of TIE State q
Illinois:


ing its acfioD, more properly belongs to tht
outgoing executive, whose intimate counec
ton with the administration, for period
Of years, affords him the benefit of tha
observation and experience necessary TO 4
true understanding Of the condition anc
wants OF the State and Of the character o.
legislation most needed to continue and
advance its prosperity.
In the providence Of God, the distin
guished occupant af the gubernatorial chail
who four years since was installed into
Office, was, on the 2lst of March, Of the last
year, called to his final account. The
ready prumptings Of my own heart and the
proprities of the occasion admonished me
not TO omit TO bear my testimony TO the
sgreatiitiility. unshsinkiBe 6ceIity, ard lofty
patriotism with which. under the seyerest
trials Of bodily stfliction. he discharged the
duties of his position. Indeed, NAV saw
that none can remember the iamented Bis
sci, excep. in association with the highest
and Modest traits Of our humanity, most
happily blending in his character ell the
shining qualities OF the christian citizen,
the gallant soldier auc the able statesman.
and rejecting the highest credit, 1T home
and abroad, upon the State to which, with
unselfish devotion, he gave his talents, his
energies and his life
Ii is gratifying to know, however, that
during the remnant of his term. the execu
tive duties have devClved upon one of her
distinguished citizens, who for manv wears
has enjoyed the entire confidence Of the
people OF the State, as possessing, In an
eminent degree, that enlarged experience,
practical knowledge and great integrity.
which entitle bis recommendation to the
highest weight. The able message he has
submitted to you, and in the suggestions Of
Of which | concur, relieve me from any
elaborate presentation Of the various meas
ures which he has submitted to your con
federation.
As a commonwealth, the favorable au.
spices under which her Legislators have
assembled, the health and prosperity which
surrounds Us on every hand all the bless
ings Of high civil. social and religious
cIuIIlZati0n. demand unieigneG tharks 70
Goc, who is the author Of every good and
perfect gift" and as one &c the State COM
posing our highly favored nation, now
threatened with dangers alarming 10 the
patriot, we should humbly recognize our
dependence upon that experimenting
Providence, which guided our fathers in
their struggle for national existence. and in
all our past illustrieus career: and with
whose continued favor we may ever remain
q groat and united people in the full enjoy
ment Of all the blessings of republican
liberty and national happiness and pros
perity.
The recent census of the United States
reveals degree Of advancement in the
population Of the State of the most erati{y
ing character. He. growth has not been
by any ordinary process, but setting all
example at defiance, has marched forward
with bound 20 the proud position of the
fourth State in the Union and now impe-
rini wealth, power and position, beyond the
possibility Of recall Of change. are hers
and hers forever! In the spaee of five
years only, our population has advanced
from 800 $40 to ,7l9, 1876. A common
wealth OF fewer years than he who now
addresses sou, now numbers q population
more than half as large as that of all the
cOionIes when they entered upon the rev.
oiutionary struggle with Great Britain
She counts her wealth by the hundred
millions she counts among her citizens Eour
hundred thousand who can bear arms. and
more than double that number of children
attend her free schools.
The State has had her embarrassments.
but they have only served to teach the use
ful lesson OF economy in the administration
OF the government, to demonstrate the stur.
dy integrity Of her people, and establish
her character for good faith and credi,
thr' ughout the world.
In 1872, one Of my predecessors, in view
ct the tmbarrassments which visionary
schemes of internal Improvement and recE
less private speculation had brought upoD
us, was forced 10 the humiliating admission
that the State was in debt seventeen mill
ions OF dollars; the domestic treasury in
arrears tor the ordinary expense It the
government, three hundred and thirteen
thousand dollars; auditors warra nts seIlin.
at nifty cents 20 the dollar; and that not
one dollar was IN the treasury, even TO nav
postage 20 and from public officers.
sadder picture could scarcely tie drawn
and yet to the honor Of the State. in these
darkest hour, when the dread alternative
OF taxation too intGlerable to be borne on
tue one hand, or disgraceful reputation
90 the other, stared them 10 the lace, her
people never faltered. The suggestions Of
nm'd connseis that increased taxatinn
would drive our citizens from tho State
and prevent Immigration to it. however
wen grounded they seemed to be. were
Intellectual to deter a high spirited peopIe
from the path Of integrity and the policy
OF true greatness. In 1913. the penpIe
by their Own vote impoeed upon themselves
tax Of two mills to pay the principat and
one and balf mills 10 paw the interest on
the public debt. With the resolution and
energy of young Hercules, she put the
load on her own shoulders; and how gal
iantIy she has borne it, let her bonds. com
handing premium, end her credit
throughout the world, answer. Instead of
expeiling our citizens from the State in
great numbers, as was anticipated, it only
riVeted them more strongly TO her fortunes,
and instead OF deterring the enigrant from
seeking home within her borders, it onIy
inspired him with desire and determine.
tion TO cast his lot among a people whom
no temptations could corrupt and no clouds
OF financial gloom discourage. It ia now n
most pleasant retrospect for the people of
the state, and signal example to attest
tue great truth that the public honor and
SiOetEoeo arg COHDatlOlo alone with
public justice and integrity
With regard to the railroads. for which
the State debt was principally incurred
individual enterprise and private can;tai
have been SO successfully applied that even
the dreams of 1887 have been more than
realized. In 1852, the State hsd onlv 95
miles OF railroad; now she has compIeted
and IN successful operation 1900 miles
more than twice she length of miles of that
system which, in 1886. was ridiculed as
% the mammoth system"
In the progress of railroad construction,
the State has been peculiarly favored by
her geographical position. 1t is a central
power in the Northwest, and the general
highway of national travel 1t has been
the crossing ground over which the grea.
commercial emporiums of the East, in send
ing out their iron arms 70 the four quarters
OF the continent have found their way TO
the Mississippi 90 Lake Michigan, and to
the heart of tt Northwest. New York
and Boston, establishing their pioneer
routes along the SHORES of the Lakes, found
tneir way across our northern borders