The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-01-12
NJ IE - - \ q Il
GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS.
Twenty-aec0nd General Assembly.
CONVENED JANUARY :, 1861.

Gentlemen of tie G,1,eraI assembly Of the
State Of Illinois:
1t is matter Of personal regret to me,
and deprivation to the State, that the
gifted statesman and gallant solder, whom
four wears ago you placed In the executive
chair. no longer guides your councils.
Had he iived-from his long association
With public affairs, his intimate knowledge
f our political history, his personal expe-
fence during an almost complete term of
ervice aided by that clear, prompt, practi-
al intellect for which he was distinguished
we might now derive much more valua
lie suggestion and advice. But although
re has gone, stricken from his high place,
4 the noon of manhood, and in the midst
# his labors. he has impressed his strong
haract2r upon the most Motel periods OF
ur State history and his name, and fame,
nd services, will long retain cur regard
nd Notwithstanding as they do, the
are union Of high civil capacity with bril-
liant military renown.
We have just passed through a political
contest, which, owing to local causes.
Toused higher excitement and evoked
more ardent personal feeling among our
selves, than any previous struggle OF "blch
our State has been the theater.
1t is gratifying evidence Of the law
abiding character Of cur people, oil their
trust in the Justice of our institutions, that,
throughout this long and stirring canvass,
peace prevailed in our borders-frecdoIno OF
discussion was everywhere alowed-the
right of every man to his own opinions
and action was unQuestioned-aEd when
the contest closed, all deferred to the re-
suit. conscious, as the intelligent Ameri-
can must always be, that a patriotic obedi-
ence to the law, forms the only safeguard
for public prosperity and private happi-
ness.
Providence has given us other and many
causes for tkankfuiHcss, during the past
wear. Health has been our fortunate por-
tion-the various fcrmB CT labor have rea-
lied a fitting -erTard-the generous soil
has WELDED An abundant haFvcst-our
schools have prosPeIed, and scattered
abroad the seeds offutuce u>eiulness-our
cities shov. a steady advance IN wealth and
STRENGTH vast pTaI.Jes, 90 late g waste,
are benz oycHspraad with the fruits o. IN
dustrv-our numbers have more that dou-
bled diir!a- the last ten years; with
q rapidity, hardly cTsdiLable, we have
risen to tie fourth rank among our sister
States. and we! may hope, Will: oar mighty
energies as vet scarcely started into action,
no distant dav viii see Us challenging COM
petition with the proudest OF this Comic
deracv. \ State so blessed so vigorous IN
its youth. only needs, at the hands Of its
rulers, q liberal vet prudent guidance. to
achieve the highest influence and distiEc-
ton.
Our public debt, once pressing so heavi-
ly upon Us, parelyzinE oar energies, turn
ing desired immigration away, by appre-
hensicns which Cur genial climate and in
wiling sell conli rcs dissipate, has ceased
to be : burden, and Is in the process Of a
rapid removal.
During the four years prior to December
1.t, 1860, beside paying the accruing inte-
rest, IS called for, semiannUally, the fol
lowing amount OF State Indebtedness,
principal and Interest, has been liqu:dated;
Amount paid en- PRINCIPAL OF the public debt
JanISTy- iS.-.----------. ---------- 9r2SI 900 Il
Amonsi paid on principal .. the pubic debt, -
JANUARY, oIJJO! u
With 81 Sc deb. 599,.l9 ::
with tie sat: and fsrd.. . $3.50 CT
N' with :ss / . l. II s.... 2l5.ooo Z
wiz, ti,s 5 pr cent ss5a f,td 7.oas q
Amount interest stock paid 81,
under proclamation Of G0T.-sis-
sen, jan. 70, i-;a--...-..- ..:5:5.C-5 c.
/, lse6... -......,.,....... 1916 90
Amount interest stock paid of,
10, 1860 -. s27. i25 90
10 Sent i-tt 1917