The other candidates elected with Lincoln were Ninian W. Edwards, John
Dawson, Andrew McCormick, “Dan” Stone, William F. Elkin, Robert L.
Wilson, “Joe” Fletcher, and Archer G. Herndon. These were known as the
“Long Nine.” Their average height was six feet, and average weight two
hundred pounds.
This Legislature was one of the most famous that ever convened in
Illinois. Bonds to the amount of $12,000,000 were voted to assist in
building thirteen hundred miles of railroad, to widen and deepen all the
streams in the State and to dig a canal from the Illinois river to Lake
Michigan. Lincoln favored all these plans, but in justice to him it must
be said that the people he represented were also in favor of them.
It was at this session that the State capital was changed from Vandalia
to Springfield. Lincoln, as the leader of the “Long Nine,” had charge of
the bill and after a long and bitter struggle succeeded in passing it.