Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-09-11

tlllS Impair 1t IS not lHSTClOIC3 tdklDR
away any right which the people of Mis-
souri, have by the treaty--it affects no
property which then existed-to prevent
the purchase of slaves in that territory,
(or state) hereafter, or to prevent the en-
shaving those who are yetnotin existence.
1t takes away nothing. 1t prevents the
requirement OF no property recognized
by the laws of God, or the mild precepts
of a freedom preaching gospel. Whom
then have l offended ?"-Or who can
complain, if nc is only prevented from
robbing his neighbor by the authority OF
law.
l wished to shew that it would not be-
wrong to adhere to the restriction. If it
is not wrong, there is no middle course
Neutrality here is enmity. I" He that is
not for me is against me" and he who
will not exert himself in defence of the
oppressed and powerless, helps to rivet
the chains which bind them. The best
policy is ever on the side of Justice. II
slavery is an evil, it must be good policy
to check it. lift is unjust, it must be good
policy to preventit from prevailing, wher-
ever it is possible to stay it. And it can
not be impolitic to direct those whom
we entrust with the execution of our de-
sires, to do that which it would be right
and just, as well as sound policy, to do
ourselves.
Citizens Of Winois-Free, and giving
freedom-you have shewn yourselves
above the contracted policy which acts
only for the present. You have looked
down the vista Of time" to that day
when our state shall be one of the fore
most in wealth and prosperity in the
union. You have pursued the measures
which will ensure this high destiny TO
your children. Let me call on you with
earnestne$s, to act the same wise and ge-
nervous part towards your brethren. Let
not false and superficial sophistry blind
you to the truth. You are now called
npon to stand forth and declare your ad-
hercncc to the measures you have recent
ly adopted for your own advantage, by
mstructing your representatives with re-
gard to your wishes. Let them have 10
chance of pleading ambiguity in the ex-
preston of your viii. In this you will
be most cordially, and in proper person,
Joined by A PRIVATE CITIZEN.
FOR THE SPECTATOR.
Mr.. EDITOR,
A neighboring paper edited by
Col. Benton, seems to have interested
itself much in giving an account of Col.
Johnson's steam boats, since they made
their appearance in this country. The
expeditions up the Missouri and Missis-
sippi certainly are subjects of great III.
terest to the American people; as we'll
as the practicabilty of navigating these
waters with large steam boats. To give
correct information on these subjects, is
laudable, and comes within the duty Of
an American newspaper. But to mis-
| represent, and to throw out discourage
ments, are too contemplate for an Anne
| rican citizen. Such character, however,
| fear the Enquirer bears. 1t may arise
from one OF two causes, or both : per-
sonal enlnity or i'll will to Col Johnson,
or an opposition to the noble enterprise
of our government. The Colonel and
his paper no doubt would cautiously
conceal either of these motives. But
his numerous, little, petty publications,
carry with them their certain interpre-
ter. His paper of the I4th July states
thatC Johnson had prepared five steam
boats for the expedition to the uppcs.
Missouri +! This statement is not true.
Col. Johnson's contract with governments
was to furnish two steam boats. He
has done SO and two are now progress.
ing, from last accounts, several hundred
miles distance up the Missouri. Evcre
human excrtion is now using to ensure
success; and, should they or either os
them fail to arrive at the highest point
wished, it will not arise, as Col. Bentoa
states, from the insutiiciency or bad ma
nagement of the boats, but want of
depth of water--a circumstance over
which Col. Johnson, his steam boats, or
any human power, has no control.
pronounce that nothing else will prevent
success. The boats are already proved
to be OF superior quality, and none arr:
superior in the west. The Exchange,
which the Enquirer named as one, never
intended going farther than st. Louis OF
Belle Fontaine. The owner of the boat,
Mr.. ID. L. Ward, Of Louisville, will state
the fact, if denied. 1t is true that Col.
Johnson prepared two extra steam boats
which he intended for government, is
needed when they arrived at head quar-
tiers, viz. the Calhoun and the Jefferson.