Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-07-06

excite the honest prejudices OF my fell
low citizens-all of which, are utterly
destitute of truth, and the most OF them
SO totally inconsistent with my DISPOSE
ton, and the character have ever MAIN
tanned, that they must be deemed in
credible by those who know me most
intimately--and none ! should suppose
would be disposed to yield to their in
iluence, without the most incontroverti-
BILE proof to establish them. The truth
however, | have no doubt will ultimate
ly prevail, in relation to all these sub
lccts before the election.
Never having intentionally done in
justice to any one, and wholly disc lalm-
ing any disposition to harrass, or un Just
ly prosecute any individual whatever,
if there be any such charge against me,
l avail myself of this opportunity to say
that, should be happy to be publicly
called upon by any one interested to vim
dictate myself against it. All that want
is fair opportunity Of justifying myself.
If this should not be afforded me, the in
dependent citizens of this state, l tlatter
myself will be too just to condemn me.
| stand prepared either to defend my
conduct, or if convinced that l have done
the slightest injustice, to make the most
ample PREPARATION in my power. With
this fair offer, if it should be declined, |
trust l shall escape the persecution OF
private revenge.
Unwilling to place their opposition 10
my reelection, upon the narrow and
contracted ground of personal resent
ment, some Of my opponents are TO be
found contending "that have served
long enough, and that frequent changes
are necessary, even though there may be
nothing to disapprove, and much TO APP
plaud, in the course pursued by re-
preventative of the people in Legislative
body" This might be true, were such
stations created for the benefit OF the in
cumbents, and not for the good Of the
people. Such principle, however, is
novelty in politics. 1t is utterly unsound
and un,enable, and in relation to states
with single representative, II is par
ticularly dangerous. In such state the
most OF its interests, which are subject
to the control of Congress depend upon
the fidelity, diligence, and usefulness OF
its representative. He should therefore,
to be most useful, have not only an eX
tensive acquaintance with the members
from other states, but he should be able,
from his know ledge of the interests OF
the union generally, to pursue such a
course in the discharge oil his representa-
tive duties, as to command the respect
and good opinion of as many OF such
members as possible. In Congress, as
elsewhere, abilities are greatly aided by
experience, and to none can il be more
useful and important, than to the single
representative of whole state. Ii is
not sufficient, to render him good re-
preventative, that he should barely I'M
derstand the special wants of the stale,
but he should be able 10 comprehend the
great interests of the union. For sup
pose all the states were to elect members
tor local purposes only, what would be-
come OF the great national interest in our
foreign relationships commerce--our
system of revenue-our naval and mill
tary establishments, &c.? Instead OF
seeing body united to advance the gene
raj prosperity of the country. we should,
in the case supposed, behold nothing
more than, virtually, an intriguing and
selfish convention of representative Of
foreign governments, each one striyin.
to gain all he could for his particular
section, no matter what the sacrifice to
the rights and interests of others.
live look to the many and important
interests which we ourselves have al
stake-to the great and burthensome
debt which we still owe for our lands
10 the influence which the general 60
vernment has over the growth of the
state, resulting from its power over the
public lands-to its influence upon our
agricultural and manufacturing prosperi-
y,by its control over foreign commerce-
if we will reflect on these and many
other subjects which place us so much
in the power of Congress, we cannot but
discern the importance of experience
and knowledge the general concerns
of the nation, in enabling representa-
tive of the state to discharge his duty
with the greatest usefulness.
Heretofore our work shops have been
principally in Europe, and in great de-
gree its graneries have been with us.
While this was the case, there was but
little difficulty in settling the policy OF
this country. But the general peace
which has succeeded the long convul-
sions IF Europe, has produced new era
in the world-an era hitherto, of de-
plorable disaster to US. Added to this,
the new condition in which the southern