Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-02-15

IdubcincHt Vi inc dppOhthiS Po"1i3 eAN
g." for such other purposes as may be I'M
peratively required by the public vel
fare" One important fact is disclosed
in this part of the Message: that the
offices in the gift of this Council are re-
Enumerated by salaries or fees to the
amount of a million dollars annually.
The whole Civil List of the general gov
eminent is estimated, for the ensuing
year, only at the same sum; and the fees
additionally received by the public Off
GERS will not greatly enlarge this item.
1t will be seen, therefore, that the Gov
ernor and Council of four persons dis
pense nearly as great an amount OF
emoluments, land even a greater extent
of patronage as the President and Sc
nate, and all the other officers of the gov
ernm ent of the Union.
On the further extension of slavery,
the Governor observes:
.sNorcan conceal on this occasion the deep
anxiety which feel in subject now under
the consideration of the general government;
and which is unfortunately calculated to pro-
duce geographical distinctions. Highly i'm
portant as it is to allay feelings inauspicious,
and to cultivate the most friendly communion
with every member of the confederacy, yet l
consider the Introduction of the extension of
slavery, a paramount consideration. Morally
and politically speaking, slavery is an evil OF
the first magnitude and whatever may be the
consequences it is our duty to prohibit its
progress in all cases where such prohibition
is allowed by the constitution. No evil can
result from its inhibition more pernicious than
its federation and earnestly recommend the
expression of your sense on this occasion, as
equally due to the character of the state and
prosperity of the empire. The people of the
United States are distinguished from all other
nations by the exercise of the right of self
government Every authority proceeds di-
rectly or indirectly from them. From the
primary assemblies of the people in town
meetings to the county conventions of the su-
pervisors or to the municipal authorities of
cities or villages and from their representa-
tives in the state legislatures to the delegates
of districts or states in the congress of the
United States, may be distinctly seen the le-
gitimate source of all sovereign authority, the
paramount ascendency of the people.-Seated
in country of vast extent, with fertile soil
and benign climate, adapted by nature for the
display of the faculties and energies of man,
and holding in their hands the destinics of free
government, they are called upon to present
great example for the imitation of posterity
and the benefit of the world, in the cultivation
of religion and morality and the diffusion Of
knowledge, in the advancement of the arts and
sciences, and in the promotion of all that can
confer honor and happiness on nations.
"But if they shall pursue different course !;
if they shall shut their ears against the warn
ing voice of truth, and their eyes against the
light of experience, and rush precipitately
upon the rocks and shoals which have hereto
fore shipwrecked the interests of the human
race; then indeed will the hopes of patriotism
and the prayers of benevolence be equally
unavailng, and the brightest prospects that
ever opened on the world be eytinguished in
darkness Let us remember that in proper
ton to the faculties with which we have been
endowed by providence, will We participate in
this responsibility and let it be deeply i'm
pressed on our minds that we can never trans
nit great example nor an illustrious reputa-
ton to future generations, without cultivating,
with unremitted attention and primary devo-
ton, those cardinal interests which constitute
the happiness of individuals, and the prospect
| ty of nations"