INFLUENCE OF LAWYERS.

399

The merchant, with his large stocks of goods, groceries and manufactured articles, including not only what might be termed necessaries, but even luxuries, tempted the pioneer to add very greatly to his hitherto meagre supplies, and extend his relations with trade.*

No recital of the plastic influence at work in Illinois at this time would be complete, however, which failed to accord a position in the foreground to the lawyer. He was as ubiquitous as the "circuit-rider," whom he emulated in the mode and extent. of his travels; except that the preacher went alone, while the lawyers went together. He followed the judge around the circuit, and like his clerical prototype carried with him all that he had in the way of physical and intellectual outfit. As the number of circuits was multiplied, popular interest in courts of justice widened and deepened; the court-room was filled, not only with suitors, their witnessess and friends, but with a gaping crowd of onlookers attracted by their interest in local quarrels, who never tired of the exciting proceedings.

A jury-trial of this period not only supplied the place of theatres, the lecture and concert room, but formed a valuableagency in the education of the people, as well in regard to legal knowledge as in the broad fundamental principles which underlie the framework of civil government. The wit and eloquence of the advocate delighted, while the dignified bearing of the judge impressed them. The lawyers, appreciating the fact that success in their forensic tilts led to professional preferments, no less than to political advancement-and few of them were not politicians were stimulated to put forth their best efforts.

Such at this time were the forces at work to evolve from the social chaos, incident to a new community, the civic order which characterizes that mighty aggregation of wealth, power,. and influence which constitutes the Illinois of today.

did'nt have a respectable pony, nine dollars in money, and the identical calf he started with in the morning."

* It often happened that the useful and improved articles brought in and purchased were as strange as they were new. A farmer having seen for the first time in the Black Hawk War a team driven abreast in harness sent for a set, but when it arrived he found himself totally unable to adjust it to the horses, and had to send ten miles for a man who knew how to put the harness, the horses and wagon properly together.-"Gabriel Jones' autograph letters. Vol. 19, Chicago Historical Society's Collections."

CHAPTER XXVII.

Administration of Gov. Duncan-Ninth General Assembly -Election of United-States Senator-Abraham Lincoln Laws-Tenth General Assembly-InternalImprovement System-Illinois - and - Michigan Canal - Removal of the Capital-Lincoln and DouglasNational Politics-Killing of Lovejoy-1834-1838.

IN

N 1834, there were four candidates for governor, namely, Joseph Duncan, James Adams, William Kinney, for the second time, and Robert K. McLaughlin, an uncle of Duncan, who had served four years as State treasurer, and six years in the legislature. Gov. Duncan remained at Washington attending to his duties as a member of congress during the entire campaign, reaching his constituents solely through newspapers and by circulars-the only instance in this State of the election of a governor who had not been personally present, and actively engaged in making speeches or otherwise conducting the canvass. Although formerly an ardent admirer of Andrew Jackson and a strong supporter of his administration, he had become convinced that the policy which his adherents must endorse, was neither wise nor safe, and had accordingly allied himself with the opposition. Had the change in his views been certainly known to the electors, the result might have been different; but although his defection was suspected and was charged against him, such was the confidence of the people in his fitness for the position, that he was elected by a flattering majority, the vote standing for Duncan 17,349, Kinney 10,229, McLaughlin 4,315, Adams 887.

At the same election there were three candidates for lieutenant-governor-Alexander M. Jenkins, who received 13,795 votes, James Evans 8609, and William B. Archer 7573.

Joseph Duncan removed to Illinois in 1818, from Paris, Ky., where he was born February 22, 1794. His father Maj. Joseph Duncan, of the regular army, had emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky in 1790, and had five sons, all of whom received a