Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-07-31
FOR THE SPECTATOR.
TO THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS
No. ",
FELLOW CITIZENS,

That clause in the federal consti-
tuition which grants a representation in
congress on account of the slave popu-
lation, is both unreasonable and unjust.
1t was the result of compromise; and
was acceded to by the free states, who
were then a majority, without any antici-
patton that slavery In the United States
was to be farther extended. The wri-
tings of Mr.. JEFFERSON and other dis
tinguished citizens of the slave states,
and the celebrated ordinance passed by
the congress 1857, had induced gene
raj belief that even the slave states were
determined to reduce the empire of des-
potism, instead of extending it. With
these prospects in view, the free states
were less tenacious of their rights than
they would have been, if they could have
anticipated the temper and disposition
recently manifested by the slave states.
They gave their assent to provision
which grants holiticak hozper to physical
z0eaknea8, and rewards with additional
political influence the most fragrant vio-
lations of republican principles. And
yet no rational man will declare, that the
state which, by introducing into its bosom
a domestic enemy, has become incapable
of defending itself against an invading
foe, ought to possess additional influence
in our national councils on that account
When Alabama shall have been ad-
rnitted, the union will consist of III free
states and II slave states. The future
political character CT the United States,
will then depend upon the complexion
of the state which shall next become a
member of the union. Admit Missouri
as a slave state, and you resign to the
slave-mongers the control of every de-
partment of the general government
Having once obtainedthe preponderance,
will they not make every effort to retain
1t VIII they notrepeal the laws against
the foreign slave trade, and make large
nnportations of human flesh from Africa,
III order to produce a ceunterpoise for
the rapidly increasing population of the
free states Remember that for every
1854 human beings that they import
from Africa, they are allowed an addi-
tional member In the house of reprcseB-
tatives. Will they not raise and main
tain, at the national expense, large stand
ing armies TO keep their discontinued
slaves in Subsection? Will not the blood
and the treasure of the free states be
wasted in fruitless attempts to uphold the
empire OF tyranny in the slave states
Will not the slave-mongers act upon the
principles which they have already pro-
fessed, and spread the evil Of slavery
over the present free states Necessity
will compel them to adopt this measure.
Let none say that the constitution will
prevent them. They have already begun
to twist to their purpose the I'd section of
the 4th article, which declares, g The
citizens of each state shall be entitled to
all the privileges and inmunities of citi-
zens in the several states" Once admit
the monstrous absurdity, for which the
siave-mongers so strenuously contend,
that Slavery is Privilege or an imnu-
nity, and no state government will have
a right to exclude slavery. Give the
slaye-mongers, therefore, the control OF
the general government, and we shall
soon see decree declaring that slavery
its local laws and regulations. Are
these apprchensions chimerical? Will
not these results naturally follow, if the
siave-mongers obtain preponderance
in our national councils? Alas! we
have seen too many of the effects Of
avarice when clothed with power, and
too much of the naughty, dictatorial
spirit of the slave-mongers, to entertain
a doubt on this subject.
Fellow citizens, are you prepared to
submit to these things Do you wish tc
reduce your national character to a level
with that CT Spain and of Portugal! Are
you prepared to acknowledge that none
are fit to conduct our national affairs ex-
eept those who, as MIR. Jefferson says
have been nursed, educated, and eXer
cised in tyranny ;" Do you wish to per
petuate in your national councils the
x salutary influence" of slave-mongers
Of which they have insultingly boosted
Are You willing to rivet the chains which
will bind you for ever to the car o
SLAVERY? n
The principle of slave representation
is Incorporated into the federal constltu
lion. II cannot be expunged without thu
consent of two thirds of the states. Th'
day when this foul stain shall be remov
ed from the constitution, is therefore YER
distant. But, in the mean time, the ire
81. states are bound by every principle Q
;ust;ce. of sound policy, and OF SELF