Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-05-09
provements in such towns, whenthey are

moved whenever an adverse faction may
obtain the ascendancy. Let the propos-
ed measure be adopted, and the legisla-
lature will have no time TO devote to the
enactment of wholesome laws for the be-
neft of the great mass of their constitu-
ents, but will find continual employment
IN carving out new counties for the &C
commodation ofpetty villages, and in adj
Justing the claims and settling the dis
putes ofwarring spectators. The cleo
ton OF candidates for Representative Oh.
ces will be made to depend, notupon their
ability and integrity, but upon their
places of residence, and their predilec-
tons for, or antipathies against, particular
towns and villages. Ignorance and inn
becility will become the sole passports to
the Legislative hall; for men proposed
of higher qualifications will disdain to
become the catspaws of avaricious spe-
culators. In this manner the people will
become divided into petty factions, the
most bitter animosities will be engender-
ed, and the general harmony of the state
will be destroyed. This is not chime
rical. Who that reflects on the nature
of that spirit of speculation which has
unfortunately taken such deep root
among us, is not constrained to acknow-
ledge that all these consequences, and
many others still more to be dreaded,
will inevitably follow the establishment
of the principle against which l con-
tend Similar questions are this year
agitated in many other counties of this
state, and similar means are resorted to
for the promotion of the same grand OBJ
lect of all spectators, viz. self-aggran-
dizement. Does it not, therefore, be-
hove the independent farmers and me-
chanics, the efficient population of the
state, to place their sovereign veto upon
all attempts to promote the interests of
the fey at the expense of the many, and
to build up private fortunes upon the
ruins of the public tranquility and the
general welfare
Unjust as the proposed division would
be to the owners of property at the
present county seat-pernicious as its
consequences would be to the commune
ty at large-it is not less inexpedient as
it regards this county, and may add, as
it regards the inhabitants even of that
part which is proposed to be erected into
new county. A reference to the map
is sufficient to show that many of the
citizens of the proposed new county re-
side nearer to the town of Edwardsville
than 10 either of the places in contem-
plation as the seat Of justice Of the new
county. This inconvenience would
soon be greatly increased, as the rapid
growth of the settlements north of the
contemplated county seat, would, in a
short time, require its removal further
north--thus leaving the Inhabitants of
the south part Of the proposed new coun-
ty at great distance from their seat OF
justice, although the same inhabitants
reside but a small distance from the
present county seat. The inconyenient
shape OF the proposed county (being in
some places less than FIVE miles wide
is another 'nsuperable objection to the
division. And however numerous NAV
be the advocates for the division, while
each expects to have county scat To-
Gated at his own village, in his own
neighborhood, or on his own farm, yet,
as it is impossible that they should all
be gratihed in this expectation, so it is
obvious that majority Those who now
advocate, would ultimately deprecate a
division, were it to take place. The pro-
posed division would also operate disad-
vantageously for the settlements in the
northern part Of the county, as it would
have an obvious tendency to retard their
erection into distinct counties.
These considerations appear to my
mind to be entitled to sufficient weight
to induce all real friends to the welfare
and prosperity of the state to unite in op-
position to measure, which, however
pure the motives and however plausible
the arguments Of its supporters, cannot
fail to produce the most pernicious eff
fects. And cannot but hope that the
patriotism and good sense of many who
are now found in the ranks of the friends
of division, will induce them, after calm
deliberation upon its tendency, to spurn
the idea of seeking the promotion of any
imaginary interests of their own at the
expense of the general welfare.
NV sentiments on this subject are not
dictated by self-interest. Having no
property which can be particularly af-
fected by the division, my opposition to
it is the result of firm conviction that
such measure would be fragrant vio-
lation of the public faith, which every
L.