Abe Lincoln in Vandalia
Small Illinois Town Was Launch Pad for Lincoln's Political Career
Apr 30, 2009
In 1832, 23-year-old Abe Lincoln was a popular resident of New Salem, Illinois. Lincoln's friends and neighbors had heard him speak his mind on political matters and were very impressed. They encouraged Abe to run for the Illinois legislature. Abe began campaigning around town, but he decided to serve in the Black Hawk War. Then, two years later, Abe decided to give running for office another try. First, however, he would need a new venue through which to express his views.
Making It Big in the Old Illinois State Capital
At age 25, Abe decided that he had outgrown New Salem. He also needed more income, and holding public office would provide it. Abe was elected to state legislature in 1834. He achieved this goal by earning the votes of local farmers. At this time, Illinois' capital city was Vandalia, a smallish town in Fayette County with a population of about 850. Lincoln preferred to stay in the background while in Vandalia, and he even returned to his surveying career in New Salem for a short time after the 1835 legislative session ended. It was not long before politics beckoned the restless young man once again. Abe ran for a second term in the legislature in 1836 and won handily. More importantly, Abe became the Whig Party's House leader as well as the leader of the "Long Nine"-- a group of seven representatives and two senators in the Sangamon County delegation who were all of above-average height. Abe began showing a talent for oratory and a flair for political wheeling and dealing.
Making It Bigger in the New Illinois State CapitalDuring the 1837 session, the "Long Nine" pushed a successful initiative to move the state capital to the larger town of Springfield. Thanks largely to Lincoln's efforts, the Illinois legislature approved an ambitious plan to improve the state's infrastructure. Under this plan, the state borrowed $10 million to build a vast network of railroads, canals, and bridges. Unfortunately, the plan ended up being derailed by a nationwide financial panic. None of the public works projects were carried out, and the state was left deeply in debt. Despite these failures, Abe was on a roll careerwise. In 1837, he moved to Springfield, where he started a law practice, married, raised a family, completed his fourth and final term in the state legislature, and served a single term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Even though Springfield and Lincoln have become synonymous, Vandalia is where America's sixteenth president began his journey to the White House.
Source:
Various Authors. "Making a Name for Himself in Vandalia" & "The Springfield Years," excerpted from Abraham Lincoln: An Illustrated History of His Life and Times, p. 38-40. New York: TIME Books, Time Inc., 2009.
