With the growing wealth and power of the North, of Illinois, it is necessary that the rights of the individual and local communities and of the small states as well as the large states should have the effectual counterbalance of state sovereignty to protect them against the ambition of centralists, who are money grabbers wrapping themselves about with the folds of the flag and with the garments of superior holiness." He wished to see Illinois crossed by two railroads, from north to south, and from east to west.

He would see the Illinois and Michigan canal completed, so that the great lake at the north of the state would be connected with the Mississippi River and with the Gulf of Mexico.

What did it mean?
The state would fill up with earners of wealth.

Lands would increase in value.

Cities would be built.