Commems Collection Classic: 1918 Illinois Statehood Centennial - Remarks After Senate Passage

The bill that ultimately authorized the 1918 Illinois Statehood Centennial Half Dollar was introduced in the House of Representatives by Edgar Wheeler (R-IL). It was passed in the House and then referred to the Senate. When it was brought up for consideration in the Senate, it was passed without debate/objection. Following the Senate approval, Senator James Hamilton Lewis (D-IL) took to the Senate floor and used the convenient opportunity to extol the importance of Illinois in the US' involvement in World War I:

Note: the "President" and "Sir" references below indicate the President of the Senate (i.e., the US Vice President - Thomas Riley Marshall) not the US President (Woodrow Wilson).

Mr. President, this act of legislation has for its object the striking off of an appropriate coin to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the admission of the State of Illinois into the Union. I tbink that I may be permitted at this time to invite the attention of the Senate to the propriety of this tribute to that illustrious State.

At this day, sir, more than a hundred thousand of her sons are moving to the fields of conflict in foreign lands. Thousands of others are encamping at home territory, preparatory to crossing the seas to offer all that they have for the cause which this Republic represents. Her women are yielding their hearts' love - their children - and giving the full of woman's sacrifice. It is history to every Senator sitting here that of all States in the Union that were torn in body and shattered in heart Illinois was not exceeded by any in her endurances at the time of the Civil War. The question of the day, misunderstood by all, over which we spent so much of blood and sacrificed so greatly of everything, finally culminated, sir, into the present concrete union of love and united loyalty. Sir. however much those who were led by Douglas or those who followed Lincoln might have severed State and home in their differences in that hour, the sons of those men, forgetful of the past, have now joined in one great union of every labor and of every offering to the common cause of our Republic for which we went to war.

1918 Illinois Statehood Centennial Half Dollar


Mr. President, we of Illinois now celebrate the admission of that State into the Union and its living for 100 years the renewed life of its history. The Senate has paid its tribute by allowing this bill io be passed. This act is a certification by the Congress of the United States, among other things, that Illinois has been loyal in every hour of every test. At this particular time I could not allow this measure to pass, carrying as it does the tribute of the Senate to the State, without also calling the attention of the Senate to the sacrifice the State has made, the credit it reflects upon the Union, the honor it is to the Republic, and the glory it is to the world.

Mr. President, we cast no reflection upon any State by comparisons; but I express my feeling that when the present cataclysm is ended and the world shall look into the new sky for some guiding star to light the course of those who will remold the future, the prophets of the coming day will turn their eyes to America and behold in the distance, among other planets, the great State of Illinois and, flaming by her side, the inspiring image of her immortal Lincoln.

I want to thank the Senate for the passing of this measure, and to express my appreciation of its tribute.

Sometimes a simple coin can arouse deeper, "bigger picture" sentiments!


For more of my stories about commemorative coins and medals, including more on the Illinois half dollar, see: Commems Collection.