Repository: UIHistories Project: Booklet - Illinois Day Celebration 1917 [PAGE 8]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

And organized with Thomas in the Chair. Most of us were farmers, settlers, men Of practical experience but not Of legal learning. But Elias Kane Though young was learned in the law, and he Did most to guide and codify our work. Thereunder was elected Shadrach Bond First Governor of the State of Illinois, And Pierre Menard Lieutenant Governor, While Jesse Thomas to the Senate went With me, and John McLean received the vote For Congress. There he put the measure through Admitting Illinois, and James Monroe, As President, affixed his signature To that foundation stone of Illinois The day the Senate voted to concur, December third, eighteen-eighteen. As Governor Edwards finishes his recounting of the early days, the President of the University again rises.

PRESIDENT :

Such the beginnings. Now our State maintains Imperial her position on the Lakes And on the prairies of the Middle West! , The second city of the Nation hers; The central market of the continent! The mighty Mississippi highway binds In mutual interest Northern wheat and corn With Southern cotton, sugar, lumber, rice; While long transcontinental railroad lines Unite Atlantic and Pacific coasts! Thus from her central vantage-point the State Of Illinois has still looked forth to find Her onward way. So has she specially Been favored as America has grown. To Illinois all her preeminence