Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-10-05


the Intelligencer, as constituting the
opposition, we would add the artful and
intriguing politicians, who have, for
some time, fixed their attention on this
mass, and, under the specious pretext of
economy, retrenchment and principles,
welded 1t against the administration,
for the purpose of political advance
ment. 1t is this which gives the oppo-
sition activity, and renders it in any de-
gree, formidable. Though, in the Ian
guage OF the Inteligencer, without hav-
ing any thing on which it can stand, it
has by lncessant repetition of false and
caiumnous charges, impressed many
honest citizens with the belief, that the
state is deeply diseased"
In justification of his assertion in preceding
number, j" that a predominant ingredient in
the opposition TO the administration consisted
Of the avowed or supposed partzans of the
Secretary Of the Treasury" the editor Of the
Republican adds
/" SO far is our assertion from being IN
supported by facts, or transcending them,
IN any degree, that we might, with truth
have gone much farther. Not only do
his partzans constitute the predominant
ingredient of opposition but we boldly
affirm, almost without Limitation, that
there is no prominent politician or news
paper which Supports his pretensions,
that does not oppose the administration,
or give il doubtful support. We may
even assert the converse proposition,
with but very ntjle qualification, that
there is not prominent politician or
paper IN the Atlantic states, in opposi-
/ lion to the administration, that does not
! advocate his cause; and to give great
er prominence to these assertions, we
will so enc step further, and say with
equal confidence, that, SO far from the
assertion being true Of the supporters Of
| the other two secretaries who are spo-
ken OF as candidates, they are not appl-
cable to single paper or prominent
politician that is known to give an &C
tive support to either OF them.
We will cite few instances 10 shew
that, with his friends, opposition first
openly displayed itself, aud by them it
has been sustained, Who was the au-
thor OF the s. Trio," with which an open
and systematic attack commenced Ii
| is said, and not contradcted, that Mr.
Cobb Of Georgia, a personal and politi-
cal friend of the Secretary, formerly a
law student of his, and still residing in
his neighborhood, was the author. VINO
drew The report of the Committee of The
| Senate on the military nominations, in
| which the executive is accused OF inter-
po'ating the laws, and making sham
| arrangement OF the army, for The pur-
pose of avoiding the provisions OF an
act OF Congress. and providing for ia
vori;e Colonel Williams of Tennessee,
a warm political and personal friend.
| Who accused the executive, al the last
session Of forgery, or, at least, of con-
nivins al it Dr. Floyd, of Virginia, said
also to be political friend. What pa
pers accuse the administration Of cor
rupted extravaganza, and departure
from principles, and urge tina, tho
rough political reform is necessary -
The Boston Statesman, the Editor Of
which has openly proclaimed his sap
port of Mr.. Crawford and every other
prominent paper, with few exccptia9s,
engaged with ii in supporting the same
cause.
Thus far, then, we are fully sustain
ed by nndoubted facts. The active sup
porters OF the Secretary have, unqucs-
tionably, not only arrayed themselves
against the administration, but have
placed their hope OF success on instiling
in the minds OF the people, that the adj
ministra,lon is SO corrup, and degene-
rate, that reformation is necessary, and
that be whom they support, is to be the
retormer.
In another article, the editor of the paper
last referred to expresses himself as follows
"We deem it, however, Of the ut
most Importance that the Presidential
election should not be carried by in
trigue, .falsehood and management, bal
solely controlled by a regard to services
and qualifications. We see the friends
of one of the candidates, endeavoring to
raise him to that Office, not only by de-
pressing all the other candidates, by the
most Unfair and false presentations, but
by depressing and endeavoring to de-
stroy the confidence of the people in the
administration itself, Of which he is a
member, BY representing him as the only
pure Republican of "the jefferson
schooi," and free from the " corruhtion,"
which, they insist upon it, communicates
the other members Of the administra-
tion."
s" As long as thew assajl. with no bet