Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-05-23

milar nature, call loudly for reform.
Another question is likely to be agtat-
cd, of great local Importance, and which
in its consequences will deeply affect the
interests of the state. As my sentiments
on this subject differ from those OF many
for whom | have the highest respect, |
deem it necessary to make them known,
together with the reasons on which they
are founded.
1t will be recollected that, at the last
session of the General Assembly, apetl-
ton was presented for the erection of a
narrow strip of land from the western
edge Of this county into separate coun-
ty, with the view of locating county seat
at some one of the towns on the Missis-
sippi, and of thus accelerating the growth
of such town; and with the further view
of removing the seat of justice from Ed
wardsville, and of locating 1t at some
town now laid off, or hereafter to be laid
off, in the eastern part of the county
As it is expected that an attempt will be
made, at the next session, to effect the
same objects, deem it proper to state
that am decidedly opposed to the con-
templated division of the county, and to
any alteration of its eastern, southern, or
western boundaries. The county OF Ma
Olson extending to the northern limits OF
the state, there can be no objection to the
erection of new counties in the north part
of this county, whenever the increasing
population IN that quarter shall ren-
der it necessary, leaving this county in
convenient form, and with a respecta-
BILE portion of territory.
am opposed to the contemplated di-
vision, because l conceive that the re-
moval of the seat of Justice from the
place where it has been located by law,
would be violation of the public faith.
The owners ofproperty in Edwardsvillc
have purchased it at high prices, in the
full reliance that the county seat was per-
Fmanently to remain at that town. 10 re
move it, therefore, would destroy
the confidence of the people in the
good faith Of the government, and
would furnish precedent productive oil
the most alarming consequences. Once
admit that county may be divided, or a
county seat removed, not for the greater
accommodation of the public, but mere
ly to promote the growth of particular
towns, and you give the signal for town
makers and spectators to involve the
lstate in disorder and confusion to pro.
mote their own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. As
self-interest is the ruling principle Of
mankind, each one who might think that
his own interest would be promoted by
1.-The measure, would insist upon having a
county seat located upon his own land
The towns which might be selected as
county seats would derive no solid adj
vantage from that measure. Very few
will purchase property or make I'M
provements in such towns, when they are
conscious that the county seat will be re-
moved whenever an adverse faction may
obtain the asccndancy. Let the propos-
ed measure be adopted, and the legisia-
ture will have no time to devote to the
enactment of wholesome laws for the be.
neGt of the great mass Of their constitu'
ents, but will find continual employment
in carving out new counties for the &C.
commodation Of petty villages, and in ad-
justing the claims and settling the dis
putes of warning spectators. The cleo
ton of candidates for representative Off
ces will be made to depend, not upon their
ability and integrity, but upon theil
places Of residence, and their predilec-
tions for, or antipathies against, particular
towns and villages. Ignorance and i'm
becility will become the sole passports to
the legislative hall; for men possessed
of higher qualifications will disds;n tc
become the catspaws Of avaricious spe'
culators. In this manner the people viii
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 Oh 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
I for the promotion of the same grand Oh.
lject of all spectators, Viz. self-aggran-
dizement. Does it not, therefore, be-
hove the independent farmers and me.
chauics, the efficient population of the
) state, to place their sovereign veto upon
, all attempts to promote the interests Of