Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-05-01
FOR THE SPECTATOR.

Every friend of harmony and sociabil-
ity, must be truly panied at the multipli-
city of conflicts and dissentions, which
seem to have thrown our infant fraternity
into state Of anarchy and confusion
Happy for our country that the dissent
nation of those contentious is limited to
narrow sphere. What would be the
result, if this factious spirit were general?
The sons of liberty we'll might shudder
for the safety of that inestimable gem
which they now possess
Tacitly have ] viewed the numerous
divisions, party spirit, and party animosi-
ties, .ch have recently perturbed the
bosoms Of the general mass of citizens
in this portion OF the country; yet have
viewed them with expectation and hope.
I fondly anticipated, that when certain
hubAc questions were put to rest, that
the delicious smiles Of harmonious friend
ship, would once more appear, on those
gloomy brows, which had been hideous-
Iy deformed, by fostering the seeds Of
dissention. Anxiously have l waited,
and iondly hoped, to see discord cease,
and order and unanimity restored. l
unprecedented that when those questions
Of public moment (Which were the chief
source ofdisputation) were once decided,
that general constellation of public sem
timent would gradually succeed. But
alas Men will seldom do what is for
their own benefit, unless constrained !"
Instead of a subsistence of the violent
ebulli,ions of the ungovernable passions
of the human breast, it seems that more
fuel is added to the hame-private
and acrimonious disputes spontaneously
spring from public affairs, and those pri-
vate quarrels never fail to enlist the feel
ngs of friends, and thus they are multi
piled ad inGnitum. l blush when l re-
view previous divisions, and dare not
anticipate the result ofthe present. What
it may be, time will disclose.
There seems to be two grand conflict
ing parties among us at present, (though
these perhaps are again subdivided, and
marshalled off in smaller platoons) with
standards hoisted, banners flying, soldiers
rallying, and bounties offered-immor-
tally seems to heave in view to the Chief
tains. The motto of one is Justice, JUS
tice! that ofthe other, Legality, Legality +!
And the Lord only knows when this
state OF mania will terminate.
Notwithstanding the affair is rather Of
serious cast, it occasionally assumes a
truly ridiculous appearance. To see the
fiery venom flashing in hideous volumes
from the reptile eye of the disappointed,
and to observe the contorted brow, the
trembling muscle, and the faultering
voice of those whose views have not been
subserved, is really ridiculous to the i'm
partial and unconcerned spectator. In
f1uence of previous friendship-selhsh
interests, and views of pecuniary emolu-
ment, are alternately urged on both sides.
Now as an impartial, unbiased, and
unprecedented individual, Gas belong to
neither party, nor can their futile boun-
ties have any influence with me in any
shape) l have only to add, that to me ii
appears that public faith has been violat-
ed, yet the violators have been artfully
shielded with legal bubble, where they
may safely rest. Here l beg leave not
to be misunderstood; for full we'll know,
that men, acting in public capacity, are
frequently i!liberally and ungenerously
censured: but.this l belieUe, that public
faith has been rioiated, whether gvanton-
ly OF not, cannot determine. But again,
if this be violation indeed, and does not
act oppressively or unjustly upon neither
community, nor individuals, why make
SO much noise about it! Would it not
be better to submit TO small inconven-