Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-07-25

know that Mr.. Jefferson, MIR. Madison
and Mr.. Monroe will bear me company.
Mr.. Jefferson appointed him Minister
Plenipotentiary to Russia. Mr.. Madi-
son continued him in the same station
until his services were wanted in our ne
gotiation for peace with Great Britain.
He was then called by Mr.. Madison to
Client, where his services will be long
remembered by this nation. From
Client Mr.. Madison sent him to London,
with Messrs. Clay and Gallatin to make
commercial treaty with Great Britain.
That done, he was appointed Minister
Plenipotentiary to the court of Great Bril-
tain. Such are the marks of confidence
reposed in this man by Mr.. Jefferson
and Mr.. Madison. When Col. Monroe
came into the office of President of the
United States, he called Mr.. Adams
home, and made him Secretary of State,
the most. important and confidential
Office in his gift. If after all these evil
dences in Mr.. Adams favor, have
sinned in thinking well of him, l have
been led into it by following the foot
steps of those illustrious men, who have
thus marked his character with their
confidence. And if that be sufficient
proof of my federalism, it is still stronger
against them. Every rejecting man
must see that this is an insidious attack
upon those three distinguished patriots,
and is in fact intended more for the in
jury of Mr.. Monroe than myself. full.
ly understand this business. Ever since
Mr.. Monroe came into power he has
been assailed by party of would-be-
greatmen, who have left no stone un-
turned to rob him Of the confidence of
the nation. The attack upon me ema-
mates from that source, and it has been
determined to put me down because I
will not join in the hue and C.y against
him. This is the true state of the case.
The plan originated out ofthe state, and
the puppets 7vithin, of whom this " Vo-
ter" is one, though of the dregs, are
very industriously playing the parts as
signed to them. After the next election
Mr.. Monroe will have four years to
serve, and until that time is near expiring
it cannot be expected that any man pos
sessed of ordinary understanding will
pledge himselfto support any particular
successor. The man who does SO, cam
not fail to expose himself to contempt,
and the danger also of having to violate
! that pledge; for who can underwrite
that the most meritorious man now will
deserve the confidence of the people four
years hence?
While am thus forced to buffet the
opposition of few at home, am also
summoned to the charge by writer in
the St. Louis Enquirer, who calls him.
self ga Mlssourian." This writer
with as little candor as any of my as
sailants, imputes to me feelings and
opinions that l have neither felt nor en-
tertained. And to give color to his at
| tack, he publishes garbled statement
from my speech on the Missouri Ques~
| ton. That question / consider as set
tied, and have no disposition to see it
revived. Whether 6 A Missourian,' is
an understrapper of that faction, whose
object is to direct the policy of Illinois or
not, shall leave to be determined by
the public; as also shall the reflections
of that writer to prey upon his own
abused and insulted conscience. Nor
shall / here occupy the time of my rea-
ders on the subject of my being slave
holder in kentucky and Missouri. The
fact that I emancipated the only one I
have had more than FIVE years ago, which
is we'll known to many in this neighbour
hood, / suppose will be sufficient
answer to this story. have no slaves,
nor have l desire to have them.
Fellow citizens, l have been dragged
into this controversy. l hoped the cleo
ton would pass by without any agitation.
hoped the divisions which the contests
of the last two years had produced in the
state, would no longer be kept alive. |
hoped like brothers of the same family
whose aggregate happiness is promoted
in proportion to that of each individual
we should strive to unite-to work for
our common good, regardless Of the
petty consideration of individual aggran-
dizement. Unwilling to rise upon the
ruins of my competitors reputation, if
such work could be effected, ! told
my friends that I was anxious for
temperate and honorable canvass; and
did hope the people would be left to de-
eide between us without making politi-
cal opposition dwindle down to personal
alteration. In this am disappointed.
But while regret that am compelled
to defend my own conduct against the
cold -blooded attacks Of interested men: