Springfield becomes State's Third Capital City

Panel picks site nearest state center



Sangamon Journal

April 19,1834 (Reprint in the State Journal-Register, ca1970's?)



RUSHVILLE CONVENTION



At a meeting of Delegates appointed by the several counties, in the northern part of the State; began and 

held in Rushville, on the 7th day of April, 1834. ...



Mr. Worthington from the select committee appointed to prepare an Address, to the people of this state, 

reported the following, which was adopted by the Convention, viz:



ADDRESS



The members of this Convention, assembled for the purpose of taking into consideration the important 

subject of the location of of the future seat of Government of the state of Illinois, as that great subject has 

been submitted to the action of the people, by a law of the last Legislature, providing for its permanent 

location for the future, would respectfully submit to their fellow citizens a few of the reasons which have 

influenced them in their deliberations, and respectfully invite their concurrence and co-operation therein, 

in order to secure harmony and concert upon this subject.



We are induced to the opinion, that none of our fellow citizens will doubt for one moment, that the location 

of the present seat of government of the state in the town Vandalia, is injurious and unjust to the interest 

and convenience of the great body of the people of the State. We are induced further to believe that no 

one will doubt that it should be removed. It may have been a wise and proper location at the time when 

made, selected as it was at a time when the state was in its infancy, and her most fertile territory 

unpeopled. But the rapid march of improvement since that time, the increase of population and wealth, 

in a region where then white man's foot seldom trod, renders it an act of justice, and of policy also, that 

the location should now be changed. ...



In order to effect this desirable result, this Convention has been called. We have conferred together. We 

have collected together the wishes and feelings, as they come warm from the people, whom we represent; 

and after conferring together, deliberating and comparing opinions, we have arrived at the conclusion 

which we now respectfully submit to our fellow citizens: We have arrived at the conclusion that we should 

act under the law, and that our action should be a united one.



In order to do this, it was necessary to select from the various points named in the north, the one which 

from its natural position and advantages, as well as from the expressed wishes of the people, had the 

greatest claims to be the permanent seat of Government and Capital of our young and rapidly growing 

State. We had but little difficulty in arriving at the conclusion upon this point. Springfield, in the county 

of Sangamon, in our opinion, had pre-eminent claims, and that place was selected by us with but little 

difference of opinion. And in this opinion and conclusion we would strongly and earnestly, though 

respectfully request our fellow citizens in every quarter of the State, and more particularly in the 

counties which we have the honor to represent, to concur and cooperate with us.



Time will not permit us to go at large into all the reasons why Springfield was thought by us to be the 

point, having paramount claims upon our support and suffrages; we would however, suggest a few of 

them to your consideration.



The first reason we would assign, is the fact that, from a free and frank intercourse and interchange of 

opinions with our fellow citizens before we assembled here, it seemed to be the general wish of the people 

we represent, that Springfield should be the point selected.



In the second place, we felt deeply convinced that the seat of Government should be located near the 

centre of the state, or at the most convenient and practicable point nearest the centre; that by this rule 

alone, equal justice could be done to the whole state; and that by pursuing this course alone can general 

satisfaction be given, and that if any other rule were pursued, the people would not be satisfied; but the 

question would continue to be unsettled and remain "a bone of contention" to vex, agitate and harrass 

the public mind. In this opinion we have been confirmed by the common opinion universally received and 

practiced on, that county seats, and seats of state Government should be at or near the centre. We were 

confirmed also, by a reference to the history of most of our neighboring states. We have seen many of 

their seats of Government, located for a time on the borders of the state, until at length by the voice 

of thepeople, they have been removed to the centre after having remained for years the bone of 

contention.



From every reason to which our minds could advert, we were deeply impressed with the opinion that a 

seat of Government of this or any other state, to be permanent and satisfactory, should be at or near, 

the centre. - We also thought that Springfield was as near the centre as it could be placed without actual 

survey, and near enough for all practical purposes. On this ground, then, we recommend that point to 

your warm and hearty 

support.



 We could assign other reasons which apply to Springfield in common with her sister towns. Located 

in a region of country as lovely and as fertile as any in the world, surrounded by dense, thriving and 

and enterprising population, blessed with health, plenty and growing prospects, Springfield has every 

thing that could be desired to recommend her as the capital of our state, destined as we believe, and 

fondly hope to be one of the brightest stars in our constellation.



These, fellow citizens, have been our conclusions, and it only rmains for us to urge upon you, by every 

motive you hold dear - by your hopes of good to yourselves and to your prosperity, and as you would 

wish to promote the interest and advance the destiny of that lovely and fertile region of country which, 

by your own choice has become your adopted home, to unite in one connected effort upon this 

important subject....- from the Beardstown Chronicle



Legislature makes pick  official



Sangamo Journal

March 4,1837



On Tuesday last, the Legislature selected Springfield as the future seat of Government of the State;

 - a result, which, as a matter of course, was hailed by our citizens with universal acclamation. Mingled 

with the natural rejoicing which was felt and manifested by our citizens, is a feeling of gratitude to the 

members of the Legislature, and renewed and increased confidence in those who have made this 

selection, with exclusive reference to the interests of the State, and the convenience of its citizens.



It is no slight ground for our confidence to have seen the Legislators deciding a question so exciting, 

and involving so many adverse interests, with a ... disregard of all party considerations; and we cannot 

but exult that the Representatives of the people have been just enough to determine the question on its 

merits, wise enough to perceive the propriety of the choice they have made, and firm enough to act 

on their convictions promptly and effectually.



The following are the results of the balloting:



	         		Ist.  	2d. 	3d. 	4th. 

Springfield,     		35    	43  	53   	73

Vandalia,         		16    	15  	16   	15

Jacksonville   		14    	15    	 9   	10

Alton,	         		15   	16   	14     	 6

Peoria,	         		16   	12   	11     	 6

Illiopolis,        		10     	 3

Scattering,     		25     	7    	15    	 7



We shall be excused for the lack of editorials this week - though we are not at a loss for subjects or matter.

The passage of the Internal Improvements bill by our State Legislature; - the passage of the Land Bill in 

the Senate of the United States; - the passage of Rives' money Bill in the same body by an almost 

unanimous vote - the roaring of the bullheaded Expunger on the occasion, in which he declared an 

exterminating war against the bill and the party supporting it; - the attempt to overawe a Senator of 

the United States in the free expression of opinion in the Senate; - the recommendation by the President 

of reprisals upon the Mexican property for spoilations upon the commerce of our citizens; - the election 

of the amalgamator, R.M. Johnson, to the Vice Presidency of the United States; - the threatened and 

almost certain invasion of Texas, by a large Mexican force; - the arraignment of the "perjured traitor,

" R.M. Whitney, before the House of Representatives, by a large majority of that body, for his repeated 

insults to the Examining Committee, and particularly Messrs. Wise and Peyton, and for contempt of the 

authority of Congress; - the regulations - important to our citizens - communicated to us for publication 

by Hon. Wm. L. May, for the payment of horses and other property lost in the service of the U.S. 

- report of the committee appointed to examine the State Bank; ...of all which accounts will be found 

in this paper - furnishing an amount of matter highly interesting and important to our fellow citizens 

and worthy of editorial comment. But, dear readers, you must pardon us. We cannot perpetrate 

editorials this week. Our head aches! Excuse us - we were as good as forced to it!