Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-06-27

SoAA pGtOAt " NSItS-t OIk oiliI-@l CEEOIS'
But still we believe it is our duty to qua
lily ourselves as well as we have ability,
i'll order to prevent the necessity of re-
sorting to a measure causing unavoidable
delay, and great additional expense.
How far our present convocation has
contributed to diHuse the desired infor-
nation amongst us, we cannot in this
address inform you; but hope that, as
the consequences shall be developed,
there will be no reason on your part, or
ours, to regret the attempt.
But, fellow citizens, there is another
branch of our duties to which our atten-
ton has been most forcibly drawn--we
mean the conservation of the peace.
That this was exclusively the original
design of our office we are we'll assured.
Hence we are emphatically styled JUS
tees OF the PEACE. The annexation of
civil jurisdiction with the pre-existing
powers otjustices, originated in our own
country, and we conceive that it was not
the intention of the governments Of the
several states, nor the legislature of our
own, to supersede or weaken the primary
object by the addition of new duties.
Economy and convenience in the adjust
ment of small causes were the motives
that produced the adoption of the mea-
sure; but the commission of the peace
it was not intended to impair.
However important it is that we should
decide justly between two individuals
who have matter in litigation before US,
(and the importance of it we feel most
sensibly,) we think the preservation Of
the public peace and morals paramount.
This is in fact, very frequently at least,
the source of private wrongs. The man
who habitually treads under. foot the
laws, both divine and human, which are
enacted fer the preservation of good Or
der, has but one step to take to violate
his neighbours rights, in person and in
property. When we cease to think an
action infamous, however derogatory of
OF our duty to Our Creator, because it
does not directly affect the interest of a
fellow creature, we remove one of the
strongest barriers of virtue, and lay So
ciety open to flood ofvice. BY attempt
ing to disconnect what God has Joined,
that is, our duty to Him and our duty to
each other, we break the beautiful chain
of sublime morality, and weave ilimsy
band of human folly that has not strength
to bind even the weakest. Acting on
these principles, our legislature, follow
ing the examples of all wise govern
ments, has enacted laws imposing penal
ties on the infringement of certain of the
divine OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES especially
those breaches which have direct ten
dency either to disturb the peace or cor
rupt the morals.
Under these impressions we cannot
but resolve to take the statute for our
guidance and government, and proceed
with vigorous determination to enforce
its precepts and punish its transgressors.
To this, the solemn oaths which upon
our induction we took upon US, bind US
so firmly, that we ought to need no other
motive for prompness and decision. But
if more is necessary to convince our fell
low citizens that we do not supererogate,
we will barely call your attention to those
statutes; where you may discover how
obnoxious we are to punishment, even
for the slightest neglect of those duties:
and remind you, of what most of you have
probably heard, that some OF us had very
nearly incurredthe actual infliction of the
legal penalty.
Seeing then that we cannot omit the
strict performance of our official duties,
without mourning the fearful conscious
ness of violated oaths, as we'll as the ami
madversions of superior courts, we have
this day entered into solemn compact,
in which we mutually engage to assist
and support each other, when united
zeal is necessary; and individually to be
active in the suppression of those vicious
practices that in defiance Of the laws
have shamefully prevailed.
But strange as it may appear, we are
aware that in doing this we shall meet
with opposition; and, from past ex-
perience, we apprehend, sometimes from
sources where we might reasonably ex-
pect the greatest aid.
We now, therefore, fellow citizens,
make this public appeal to your candor,
your intelligence, and yourpublic spirit.
We invite you to Judge of our conduct
without prejudice; and having by i'm
partial examination of our intentions, and
the inevitable result, discovered the pro-
priety of our resolutions, we confidently
hope that you willrender US cheerful as
sistance, by misunderstanding those prac-
tees which we are compelled to punish,