Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-12-14

SnS tnc RIVERS iot SAplofiiS Tue county j, |
for making accurate surveys, and Tor
marking out the line of the canals, with !
detailed estimates Of, the cost.
And lastly, that these surveys and es-
Inmates be transmitted, as soon as they
ore completed, TO the general govern
ment, together with memorial OF the
Legislature TO Congress, setting forth on
the one hand, The just and reasonable
claims Of Ibis State, and, on The other,
the national inducements to assist by a
liberal donation OF land, or in some
other way, in opening the contemplated
communications.
The people OF this State take deep
interest in the proposed continuation of
the national turnpike road from Wheel
ing to the Mississippi river. 1t IS much
10 be desired that the road should be
marked out as soon as possible, as lis
location will have considerable inilu
ence on the settlements and permanent
improvements in lis vicinity. AS it must
necessarily take many years TO complete
a turn ikc road from Wheeling TO this
State, would suggest the propriey oil
Gin some degree) anticipating the great
advantages to be derived from it, by the
Legislatures authorizing the road TO re
opened and put Into state 10 be used, as
soon as practicable, after it is permanent
ly located by the general government.
This, 1t is believed, would require little
labor, in consequence Of the country
aL3unding very much in prairl3, and the
surface being unusually level and
smooth.
The Ordinance established by Con-
gress for the government of the North
Western Territory, declares that neither
slavery nor involuntary seryitude shall!
exist IN the country. Yet, notwithsl and
Ing this, slavery still exists in The State.
call the attention oil the Legis lature, in
an especial manner, to this subject; and
III should be considered that this iunda-
nen,al prohiblory declaration has not
had The effect of severing the bonds Of
servitude, | earnestly invoke the inter-
poslion of the Legislature in the cause
al humanity
BY the terms of the cession of Vir-
GINA TO the United States OF the country
northwest of the river Ohio, it was
stipulated that the inhabiians thereof,
VINO protested themselves to have been
citizens OF Virginia, previous TO the ces-
sion, should " have their possessions and
titles confirmed 10 them, and be protect
ed in the enjoyment Of Their rights and
liberties" Under this stipulation, the
neurn..c ,uhn warn thrp in 10 'tapci.orv
and who were slaves by the laws OF Vir-
glaia, were claimed by their masters,
and continued in bondage; and in that
state they or their poserity have ever
since remained. As there is, however,
no reception made in relation to these
slaves IN the general and explicit proh-
bnion contained in the ordinance, i'll
would seem to have been the intention Of
the trainers of it, that slavery and invo-
luntary servi,ude should cease. Be this,
however, as ii may, the time has certain |
ly arrived when the subject demands the
serious consideration of the Legislature. |
As no one will contend tina, the stipuls-
ton OF Virginia was intended TO restrict
Illinois forever from Graduating this
anomaly in her government, SO none
should deny that after lapse of near
forty years she can do so without being
subject to reproach, unless it be from
having tolerated it SO long. Conceiving
it no less due to our principles, than to
the rights of those held ia bondage, that
they should be restored to their liberty,
l earnestly recommend to the Lngisla-
ture that just and equitable provisions be
made for the abrogation of slavery in the
State.
Justice and humanity require of US a
general revisal of the laws relative to
Negroes, in order the better TO adap,
them to the character of our institutions,
and the situation of our country. In
states where there are great number
of slaves, it has been found indispensably
necessary, as well for their subsection as
for the good order Of society, to enact
very strict laws for restraining negroes,
both bond and free. But in communi-
ty like ours, where there are SO few,
there is no necessity for such severe re-
strictions-and as the motive for severi-
ty ceases, so the unreasonab!eness of it
is augmented.
would also recommend 10 the Legis-
lature to enact more effective laws to |
prevent the kidnapping Of free blacks.
crime which am sorry to say IS too
often perpetrated with impunity in our
State. l should not be for holding out
any particular encouragement for the
emigration of free negroes to the State,
as they are kind OF population not to
be desired, but the duty of society, as
well as every benevolent feeling, de-