Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-02-06

much alive to humanity, pass acts 10 Ell
courage emancipation by agreeing to re-
'ceive the emancipated-what will they
do, what can they do, to assist the people
OF others to relieve themselves of their
unfortunate condition 1t is easy to use
severe terms against the practice of
slayery-but let IS first tell the southern
people what they can safely do to abolish
1t, before we, by wholesale, condemn
them. No one can hate slavery more
than dot is thing opposed to every
principle that operates on my mind, as
an indisitual--and, in my own private
circle, | do much to discourage it. 1
am, also exceedingly jealous Of it, so far
as 1t affects my political rights as citi-
zen Oh the United States, entitled to be
fairly and fully represented, and no
more. But can make great allowances
tor those who hold slaves in districts
where they abound-whcre, in many Ca
scs, their emancipation might be an act
OF cruelty to them and Of most serious
injury to the white population. Their
difference of color is an insuperable bar
rler 10 their incorporation within the So
clefy; and the mixture of free blacks
wI'h slaves is detrimental to the happi-
ness of both, the cause of uncounted
crimes. Yet | think that some have
urged their defensive character too far
without proper respect for the rights
and feelings OF others. whose business it is
also to Judge on the matter, as applicable
TO an extension of the evil. But we ad
VOratpJ tbA co,pt,rc,,,ica Ev;Ofr
tain points for the future government of
all the parties concerned believing that
the moral and political evil of spreading
slavery over Missouri and even in Ar
kansaw, was not greater than that which
might have arisen from restriction,
though to restrict was right in ITSELF
Inc harmony OF the union, and the peace
and prosperity of the white population,
most excited our sympathies. We did
not fear the dreadful things which some
silly folks talked Of, but apprehended
geographical oppositions which might
lead 10 the worst of calami.ies. We had
no pleasant feeling ON the compromise,
Tor bad was the best that could be done.
Nevertheless, we hoped that the contest
was at an end, and that things would set
tie down and adopt themselves to the
agreement which necessity imposed.
Thus situated, it was with no little
concern that we saw in the constitution
which Missouri was about 10 offer for the
sanction oil Congress, ne7v causes Of coll
lision. The Objectionable provisions
cannot be ofany use to the new state, as
to the things which they ala at. Wei
arc willing to believe that they were I'M
thinkingly introduced; but they have
the appearance of Drawing opposition,
and OF maniicstlng spirit which the
meekest man feels disposed to resst-to
say nothing of one of them as being con-
trary to the constitution of the United
otates-that to prevent the emigration
and settlement offree blacks and muat-
toes. tappears that some ofthe former
and a number of the latter are entitled
to bounty lands, for services rendered in
the late war; if their lots should be in
Missouri, 1t Is IDLE 10 pretend they may
moi settle upon and enjoy them, il they
please. But we are not disposed to ex-
anime the subject in detai--he trinci-
tie adopted by the convention of Nilsson
II, % give our opinion of it in a few
words, is destructive of the ,federasipe
character OF our great compact, and may
JUS as we'll apply to the exclusion OF
persons with black hair or blue eyes
aad no one can seriously apprchend in
jay from the emigration OF free people
oi color to siave-hoiding state. Ii
would be about as reasonable as TO ex-
pect that the Mississippi will discharge
her waters into the lake instead Of ma |
turai!y TO disembogue them into the Gulf
ct Mexico. The result, in the House oil
Representatives, was anticipated; but
W, did think that both houses, with large
maJoritles, would have SO decided, as to |
striking out the offensive provisions, for
the sake OF harmony, in the spirit of the |
compromise: all would then have been
we'll. and great deal of time, trouble
and anxiety saved. We totally reject
the idea that any thing which it is the
business OF Congress to DO, should be left |
to che judiciary or any other power
With due Difference to the eminent gen
tleinan VINO proposed it, we regret that
he did it; for had his plan been adopted,
VINO can tell where the precedent would
have stopped? But we think it more
strange that, because Missouri was en-
powered to make constitution, it should
be argued that Congress was bound to
accent 1t. Why, then, are constitutions
offered, referred to committees, and sane
toned by Doth houses? All this is mere |
mummery, il they are to be accented at |