Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-07-11

they are even less so--they all supported
the same side, protesting to give TO the
constitution of the United States the
same construction. Admitting them to
be equally sincere, there is this differ
ence between them-duty compelled
the senator's to yote-the others were
perfect volunteers in supporting Mr..
MLean who was in favor of, and OPP
posing Mr.. Cook who was against the
admission of slavery into Missouri
Slavery being an evil greatly to be de-
plored, we are infinitely more interested
in preventing its introduction among our
selves, than among any other people;
let us not therefore in attending to the
case Of others, loose sight of our own.
1t is we'll known that there was at the
period of our convention, and still is a
strong party in favor of slavery in our
own state--one of our senators voted
against it, the other though not a men,
Der of the convention, il is said (and
have never heard it denied) decidedly,
and openly opposed it with such effect,
as to incur the displeasure of many of
those who had been his sincerest friends,
and warmest supporters-and with the
single exception, of his vote upon the
Missouri question, (Which it is for him
to eXplain) it is asserted that he has
never on any occasion whatever, either
countenanced the views of the opposite
party, or done any other act Incompatible
| with his professions upon the subject.
Far be it from me, however, TO wish to
shelter our senators from just RESPONSE
bility for their public conduct, but in our
zeal to PROSTATE them, or either ofthem,
we ought not to overlook greater Of
Tenders, whose present Vaccinations
command our more immediate attention.
That the party in favor of introducing
slavery into our own state, have kept
their favorite object steadily in view, is
plainly inferable from the concert with
which they have uniformly acted in sup
porting those who were in favor of it
| from variety of official acts; state APP
pointments; endeavors to procure fede-
raj ones; and the unrelenting persecu-
ton, with which they have pursued
| those whom they could not gain over to
to their views. The hopes of this party
have been greatly inyigorated by the late
determination of the Missouri question,
and many of them hater themselves
that theirs is already, or soon will be-
come the popular side of the question,
and hence they have brought out the
most distinguished champion which they
had in the convention, intending no doubt
in the event Of his success, to contend
that they had obtained an expression of
public sentiment in favor of slavery at
home; and considering the parts which
the two candidates for Congress have
most conspiciously acted upon the sub
ject, they might indeed so contend, with
great plausibility.
Ought not our neighbours patriotism
(if he be sincere) to be fully as much
startled at such a state of things, as at
the vote of our senators which seems to
have exclusively cngrossed his atten-
ton : If it be principle for which he
contends, would he prescribe one set of
men for single act, upon mere Suspi-
cion as to their motive, and cover with
the mantle of his charity, and forgive
ness, others, whose greater offending in
a variety of acts, is demonstrated by the
most irrefra gable proof; and whose ex-
tensive state patronage, and official in
Auence enable them TO support their
principles with more effect9 Does he
think the vote of our senators more
criminal, than to have been in favor Of
slavery in our own state, and perfect
volunteers in endeavoring to prevent its
restriction in Missouri also? Is there
any inference to be drawn from Governor
Edwards holding negroes, that will not
equally apply to Governor Bond, Mr..
Secretary Kane, and others? and unless
our neighbor supposes that to be per-
fectly innocent in Governor Bond, which
would be highly criminal in Governor
Edwards, would he not be more consist
ent with his professions, by adding the
following, to his former interrogatiyes,
viz. Does not Governor Bond, hold as
many negroes in this state as any other
man in it? Was he not in favor of the
election of Mr.. Kane and Doctor Fisherto
the convention, and were they not both
decided advocates for the federation Of
slavery in OR oavn state ? Was it not
the very first act of the Governors adj
ministration that rewarded Mr.. Kane's
zeal, by the appointment of Secretary Of
State Did not both the Governor and
Secretary warmly support Mr.. MLean
for Congress, justifying his vote upon