Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-05-30
Yo the EAectors
corporation"
May 9.-t12Jy.
OF THE COUNTY OF MADISON

OF The COONIf Or .H.3OfoON.
FELLOW CITIZENS,
At the solicitation of many respecta-
BILE citizens, have become a candidate
for your suffrages, at the approaching
election, as one of the representatives
of this county in the General Assembly
of this state.
In making this annunciation, respect
for the public opinion, and a just sense
Of propriety, require from me frank
avowal of my political principles, and
candid delineation of the course which
| intend to pursue, if honored with a ma
jority of your votes.
A republican by birth, by principle,
and by practice, l have never adopted
the opinion, that, in order to constitute a
freeman, he should have liberty to rob
his fellow man of his freedom. Consi-
dering slavery as derogatory to our ma
tional character-as inconsistent with the
political principles which we all profess
to believe--as curse not only to the
slape, but to the stakeholder also-and as
highly dangerous to the public tranquil
lily, have deemed it my duty, whenever
occasion has required, to exert my best
abilities in opposition to the progress and
extension of system of injustice so de-
grading to the character Of our country,
and portending the most baleful conse-
quences.
The most difficult task to be per-
formed by the next legislature, is the
correction Of the errors of their prede-
cessors. These are SO numerous that
only small proportion of them can be
glanced at in the limits of an address.
The Tax Law / consider extremely
unjust and oppressive in its operation, as
it lays as high tax on the poor mans
uncultivated land for which only one
instalment has been paid, as upon the
rich mans improved farm for which the
payment has been completed. The re-
pugnance of this law to the constitution
and to the compact between the United
States and this state, is too palpable TO re-
quire calculation.
The injustice of the Road Law is, per-
haps, still more glazing. That a mocha
mic or laborerwho possesses no interest in
the soil, should be required to pay road
tax of FIVE dollars per annum, while the
wealthy owner of extensive domains is
exempted, on account of being fifty years
of age, from paying any road tax whate-
yer, is, in my opinion, equally contrary
to the constitution, to justice, and to
sound policy. The power of impress
ment, given to the supervisors of high
ways, though perhaps never carried into
execution, ought not to be suffered to
disgrace the statute book.
Sheriffs are not, by our present laws,
allowed any compensation forthe Hercu-
lean task of collecting the taxes. This
and many other circumstances of ST.
milar nature, call loudly for reform.
Another question is likely to be agitat-
ed, of great local importance, and which
in its consequences will deeply affect the
interests ofthe state. AS my sentiments
on this subject differ from those of many
for whom have the highest respect, !
q EN- it necessary to make them known
together with the reasons on which they
are founded.
1t will be recollected that, at the las,
session of the General Assembly, peti
ton was presented for the erection Of Q
narrow strip of land from the western
edge of this county into a separate coun-
ty,with the view of locating acounty seat
at some one of the towns on the Missis.
sippi, and ofthus accelerating the growth
ofsuch town; and with the further view
Of removing the seat of justice from Ed
wardsville, and Of locating it at some
town now laid off, or hereafter to be laid
off, in the eastern part of the county
AS it is expected that an attempt will be
made, at the next session, to effect the
same Objects deem it proper to state