Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-07-25
TO THE ELECTORS OF MADI-
SON COUNTY.
FELLOW CITIZENS,

SON COUNTY.
FELLOW CITIZENS,
AS it has been vel. understood for
months past throughout this county, that
I have consented, if elected, 10 serve III
the next legislature, it is not SO much
my object in this address to offer myself
10 you as candidate, as to detect the
false reports which have been put in cir
lation concerning me. 1t will no doubt
be recollected by many, that at and pre-
yious 10 the election in 1878, my enc
mics, in order to defeat my election, re-
ported, with other things equally false,
that had proposed 10 the board oftrus-
tees of Ebenezer School Society, at a
time when the board we're convened for
the purpose Of framing constitution for
the government of that body, to incorpo
rate INTO that instrument an article pro-
hlbiJing the children frelgious parents
from associating with the children OF the
irreligious. Although | do believe that
RIO one who knew me ever thought ME
capable of SO Liberal or contracted a
sentiment, yet with many worthy citizens
who never knew me, it had its weight
and influence, greatly to my prejudice.
The only means in my power at that
time to retute it, was to refer as many
as spoke to me on the subject, to the
board of trustees, the only persons with
whom l transacted any business relative
to the school. After the election was
over, 1 treated the report, It's authors
and retailers, alike with silent contempt,
as beneath my notice or consideration,
little expecting that at the very eve Of
the approaching election should be
called on 10 wrest from the hand OF the
unprincipled detamer my bleeding cha
racter, smitten and lacerated by the will
full and malicious liar. Quite over
reached in my expectation, my insidlous
enemies, at this late stage OF the bust
ness, have recommended their operations
upon an 'unsuspecting public, particular
ly in the back settlements of the county,
and with terminated zeal have republlsh
ed, with some additions, the same neia-
rious reports all Of which solemnly.
declare to be false and without so much
as the shadow Of foundation. challenge
the world to produce proof against me.
Ifany yet entertain doubts on the subject,
/ refer them to the Rev. Josias Randle,
Capt. Abraham Pricketl, and Mr. Ben
lamin Stedman, who are nay Witnesses,
and who, with myself, and Major John
M'Kee, (now at rest,) composed the
board of trustees. But my prosecutors,
like blood-hounds still intent upon their
prey, and doubtful of success in the eff
forts they had made in their first attempt
to destroy me, have set to work another
engine by which they hope to hurl me
into vortex of disappointment by final
defeat, intending so to ply the new ma
chine as to make it perform double
operation. With necromantic gravity
they now tell the people, especially
those on the frontiers, that Otwell was
popular a few weeks ago, and would I'M
roubtedly be elected if and if he had not
united his interest with Churchill. Had
those political gamesters stopped here,
should have passed them by unnoticed;
but they have added, that Churchill and
myself have put our heads together, to
put down, Gas they phrase it, or, in other
words, united to defeat the election of
Capt. Nathaniel Buckmaster; all of
which are as false as if they had stated
that myself and all the other candidates
were men of the first talents. Although
1 never thought it any disparagement to
me to be associated with gentleman of
Mr.. George Churchill's talents and
standing in society, yet do solemnly
declare that there never was any kind OF
league or bargain between myself and
Mr.. Churchill against Capt. Buckmas-
ter, or any other candidate whatever.
That man does not exist by whom such a
charge can be established.
However painful it may be to one
Injured to peace and quietude, to be
dragged out on the public stage, and that
by the most base among men, and refuse
of mankind, yet feel it duty | owe to
myself, as well as my friends, thus to
acquit myself before an impartial public
Of those malicious and base charges