Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-07-31

Z. Stewart, Esq. in the month of February,
1919. The prosecution, which terminated in
the conviction OF the prisoner, was conducted
by Mr. Lockwood, the attorney general, and
the defence by Mr.. Turney. The prisoner
was sentenced by the court to be executed on
the Sd day of September next.
COMMUNICATION.
GRAFTON OF THE HON. J. @. ADAMS,
SECRETARY oE STATE.
The anniversary Of American independence,
it is to be hoped, will never cease TO he observ-
ed while the love of civil and religious liberty
continues to animate the smallest portion ofthe
American people. Next in importance to the
great truths of Revelation. are the truths pro-
claimed in the Declaration of American indie
pendence. BY the former, the plan Of mans
salvatonis prlaocmed and this. with reverence
we speak it, dcserveshis first. and most serious
consideration. BY the latter is proclaimed the
plan of his political emancipation plan as es-
sential to his temporal, as IS the former to his
eternal happiness. Nan, whenleft to exercise
his natural powers. free from all restraints ex-
cept those which Just regard 10 tho rights Of
others requires, is susceptible Of eniovments
which nature seems TO have denied every other
portion of creation. Rut while he is thus en-
dowed with those superior eniovments when
in the just frution of those powers when ty-
rannicaly deprived ofthem, he is So construct
ed as to have those very means converted into
instruments of affection and distress.
Encroachment after encroachment, upon
those rights, beyond the Legitimate objects of
good government, in the old world, so sens-
bly, afflicted our ancestors, that they, to find re-
fuge from oppression, even left their native
land dear as it must have been under good
government, and crossed wide and boisteroas
sea, to land where the first germ of civih=a-
ton itself had yet to be. planted. Here, in the
progress of events, they established that liber-
ty which ever-but more especially at this an
riversary-warms and animates the patriots
bosom. Here they proclaimed the consecrated
truth that call men are born equol." The
annual return of the dag upon which our ma
tional, and we may say personal freedom was
proclaimed, presents fit opportunity for the
American people to review the rise and pro-
gress of civil government, and more especially
the causes which led to their own emancipa-
lion from the letters of oppression. So fit in.
deed is this occasion, and so important is the
object, that we are proud to see the first men
Of the nation, engaged il this work. We con-
ccive it not only proper, but are amongst those
who consider it the duty Of our leading, and
most influential patriots, thus to employ their
talents on such occasions.
The principles of rs, which asserted the
equal rights of man, should never cease to be
instilled into the minds of the people of Ameri-
ca. It was then that the pure fountain of pa
triotism spread its vivifying streams through
out this land.-It was then that that tender
germ of liberty set at defiance the chilling
frosts of despotism, and like the cedar Of Le-
banon, lowered to the Heavens, spreading its
genial shade over the soil in which it had ve-
getated. In concentrating such an era we
rejoice to see such men as John Quincy
Adams acting conspicuous part. When such
men, who from their personal devotion to the
best interests of their country and their supe-
rior abilities, are placed in the most high and
responsible stations in the government, rem
der their aid in keeping alive those principles,
and instiling them more deeply into the hearts
Of Americans, even the languishing admirers
Of our institutions may revive their hopes of
their perpetuity.
Ofthe Grafton of this distinguished states
man and scholar, delivered at the late anniver-
sary of our independence at the City of WASH
ington, the editors OF the National Intelligent
Ger speak in the following encomiastic and
exalted terms:
Washington. Juiy7.
The Anniversary of American indie
pendence was celebrated in this city, on
Wednesday, in the manner previously
determined on. The dampness Of the
day confined the inhabitants more to their
dwellings than was desirable; but this
alloy brought with it the advantage, al
most equivalent, Of a refreshing GOODNESS