Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-08-01
To the Editors Of the Illinois mtelligencer
MEssns. BLACKWELL & BERRY,

To the Editors Of the Illinois Intelligencer.
MEssns. BLACKWELL & BEnRY,
Conference.-The. Kane having public
ly insinuated, if not explicitly dec Jared,
that had some agency in the editorial
remarks which appeared in the Edwards
vile Spectator of the l lth inst upon the
subject of real or supposed plan to in
troduce slavery into this state-and
having also declared himself "well con-
vinced" that no such measure was ever
{" thought of" l beg leave to assure the
public that all, and every suggestion,
that | advised, or even wished the publ
cation of those romarks--or that ever
saw line, or letter of them, till they
were published-or that any of the state
ments contained therein originated with
me-are utterly destitute of even the
shadow OF truth to support them And
in repelling such foul and malicious inn
putations, l am happy to have it in my
power to afford MIR. Kane himself ample
proof of their injustice, and to place him
in situation to fell compelled, if he is
disposed to preserve even the semblance
of regard for truth, or honor, to acquit
me--or otherwise by failing to retract
his own gross SANDER, when deprived of
every pretext for perseveripg in it, to
give public manifestation of that dsin-
genuousness which for years past, has
characterised his conduct towards me.
And TOR that purpose, besides other
gentlemen of this place, and st. Louis,
to whose testimony might appeal, | re-
fer him to DIR. Todd, Edward Coles, ESQ
Maj. Theophilus w. Smith, Joseph
Conway, Esq. Mr.. M'Kenney, Mai.
Winchester, Mr.. May, and Mr.. Wat
kins Of this place, and to MIR Hart, and
Col. Riddick of St. Louis, for proof
That statements had been made, and
were believed weeks before my return
from Congress, that new hress was to
be established at this place with the
avozved object and design ofadvocating
the Introduction ofslapery into this state,
and that it was to be edited by the gentle
man who is mentioned in the editorial
article above referred to, as having been
selected for that purpose.
Various as are the sources of these re-
ports, it can be most satisfactorily pro-
ven, and no one will deny, that they did
not originate with any person friendly to
Mr.. Cook, or disposed to support his
election.
Some of the gentlemen referred to,
can testify that change of our constitu-
ton in regard to slavery has at least
been +" thought of" pretty seriously--and
knowing as much as do upon the SUBJ
ject, in relation to certain individuals
who are intimate with, and support Mr..
Kane, | am truly surprized that he
should know so little, as to believe that
the change spoken of had never been
thought Of"
have however, written testimony in
my possession which at present do not
feel at liberty to publish, but which
will cheerfully show to Mr.. Kane, that
will prove to his satisfaction that "a
change or modification Of our constitu.
ton in relation to slavery" has recently
been contemplated-and that there are
some men of intelligence, and we'll &C.
quainted with our situation, who g think
the period not remote when the slave
side OF the question will be the most
popular ir this state" But for further
eXculpation Of myself / refer 70 the an.