Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-08-01
EXTRACT.
Z" 81. Louis, June 81, 1920.

engaging your side of the river in a contest at
home, which would prevent them from so par
ticulariy interesting Themselves in our concerns;
and that to effect this, itwould only be neces-
sary to establish pres at Edwardsville that
would admit and favor afree discussion Of the
advantages that would result to the state by
admitting slavery" believing that a large pro-
portion ofthe state was Inhabited by cmigrants
from the southern states, who would be favor
able to such state of things.
also understood that gentleman highly
distinguished on former occasions for bis edi-
torial talents, might be prevailed on to establish
a press in Edwardsville, and if so, from his
sentiments on the subject of slavery, (Which
was then debating at large in Congress,) he
would mos certainly advocate such course.
1 afterwards understood that the gentleman
alluded oidid intend to visit Edwardsville
preparatory to such a step, bttt / neuer under
stoodthat yas had any knorlec.ye Of or in any
way coua,te7x,nced H."
1t will be perceived that in the repub-
LEGATION ofthis address, my reference to
the gentlemen therein mentioned, is more
precise and definite than in the first publ
cation, which correction has been cheer
fully and promptly made, upon the sug-
gestion of MIR. Coles, and some of the
other gentlemen of this place who were
referred to, that they could not testify to
any other than the statements in relation
to the establishment Of new press at
this place, as set forth in the reference
now made to them. This being amply
sufficient for my purpose, all other re-
ference to any gentleman is withdrawn.
| am, however, able to prove satisfacto-
rily, and have in my possession evidence
to establish that statements concerning
an intended purchase of an interest in
the press at Shawneetown, and Of the
origination at the city of Washington OF
the design to establish the press at this
place, had also been made before my
arrival from Congress.
Never having read the editorial re-
marks but once, and not having them
before me at the time of writing my adj
dress, my attention was directed to the
prominent facts in relation to the insinu-
ton THAT | hadorigihated the report ola de-
sign to introduce slavery into this state !;
and my reference was merely intended to
meet that charge. This design con-
sidered the most material part of the
editorial remarks, and without which
all the rest would be mere llity; for
the rest are only evidences of its exist
ence, or intended means of its execution,
which could not exist independently of
the design itself.
1t was the object of my address, to af-
ford Mr.. Kane the means of ascertain
ing the injustice of his insinuation that l
had originated the report of such de-
sign, by referring him to gentlemen who
l was persuaded could satisfy even the
most incredulous, that the insinuation was
unjust.
| did suppose (and find 1 was cor
rec) that some of the gentlemen refer
red to, knew more upon the subject than
others, but that each one of them knew
enough to exculpate me from the charge
of having originated the report, which
was all that / wished, or thought it ne
cessary TO establish by them; and if my
former reference taken in connection
with both, the charge against me, and
my defence, is not sufficiently definite in
relation to the object in view, it resulted
more than any thing else from an unwil-
lingness to introduce the names OF gen.
tlemen specially implicated in the plan
or design, without knowing the particu-
lar grounds upon which such implica-
tons were founded; and it must be per-
ceived that it was not my object to prove
the truth of'any of the statements, but to
show that enough of them had been
made, and were believed at this place, at
such times, and under such circum-
stances, as would demonstrate the i'm
possibility of my having originated The
retort ofa design or falan to introduce
slavery into this state.
will only add, that l had not the
least intention of including within my
reference any statement whatever, in re-
lation to a political missionary from
Kentucky, &c.
NINIAN EDWARDS.
Edzoardsuitle, July 81, 1920.
Editors who have published my former al
dress, will please to republish it as corrected
with the above explanation.
H N~ en NJ EDWARDS.
no - Fon THE sPEcTATCn.
It's to be hopedth the persecution of oul
Senators, for theirlvote upon the Missouri
question is about to cease, at least so far as re
lates to.those from whom most was to be APP
prehended-for they who have made thu