Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-02-01

was crehtcd, We have the practical il
Illustrations ofthis doctrine already III the
three instances of the Auditor, Secretas
ry of State, and Attorney General, where
the same individuals hold on to their
respective offices year after year for no
ogher or stronger reasons than govern in
your case. But the question is (and it
is just as applicable in principle to them
as to YOU can the next Legislature au+
thorize new election of County Com
missioncrs to take place before some
one or all of you have determined the
office by death or resignation This
much must be conceded on all sides,
that as the law now is there can be none
until they do meet, but that you cannot
be supplanted or displaced even then
will not be so readily assented to by
people who abhor principle so impo-
litic and dangerous in our republican in
stitutions. But however just and pro-
per it may be for us to entertain and ex-
press such feelings, yet our only relief
against the causes which produce them
is in the laws and constitution of our
country, and five cannot find the means
of redress in them, both our public du-
ty and private interests require OF us
peaceable and dignifed submission.
For it is better that our grievances be
borne with than to seek to avoid them by
means not lustifable to be used. In this
mind we ought to consider the question,
and that although however painful 1t
may be to yield assent to your life estate
in the Office of County Commissioners,
yet it would be worse step to remove
you by an er fost jacto law, an act
fraught with more mischiefs than can be
brought upon us by the ignorance and
inattention of Legislators. No er Post
facto laws, by which are meant laws az
fecting antecedent rights accruing under
the then existing laws, can be passed SO
as to be binding and obligatory upon in
dividuals or the community at large.
One of the rights which were to accrue
under the 28th sec ton of the " Act con-
corning Elections" to the persons who
should be elected on the fourth Mon
day of April. 1875" was that they might
hold the Office as long as they chose to
continue in it. Can, therefore, the next
Legislature provide by law for new cleo
ton in the face ofyour appointment and
before you have determined the Office !?
On the contrary would not such law be
in direct violation OF, the constitution, as
being er Post facto? Because it would
deprive you of an antecedent right then
secured to you and which can only be for
feited in the terms of the grant. 1t is a
fair, legal, and just presumption that, at
the time of your election, this privilege
inseparably belonging to it, was one of
the considerations of your acceptance
of the office, the inducement held out
by your constituents, and the expected
reward for your services. And now,
though it is in the power of some other
legislature to do what the last one so I'M
pardonably neglected doing, that is, re-
gulate and define the period of service
of any future county commissioners, yet
as it relates to you, they can do nothing
but to fix the manner of your succession,
as your Offices shall become vacant by
death or resignation.
To conclude, King George III. has
| not more indefeasible right to the
crowns of Great Britain and Ireland, dur
ing his life time, than you have to the
office you now hold. You are irremove-
able, and we irremeuiable, until death,
or your own good sense, shall render va
cant your seats. There is not more
natural deduction from reason, or a
palmer principle of law, than that you
| are chosen tn preside over the destinies
of this state for life, however entity of the
basest turpitude, and chargeable with
ignorance and inattention in your official
conduct. Even in the idiocy of years,
you will be clothed with the ermine OF
justice, and upon the frailty and imbe-
cility of old age we must depend for eve
ry public and private good.
ANXIOUS CURIE.