Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-07-06
TO the People Of Illinois
FELLOW CITIZENS,

FELLOW CITIZENS,
Being once more candidate for
your sutffages, to represent you in the
Congress of the United States, and hav-
ing some reason to believe that dark and
jnsidious attempts have been made to
impair the confidence with which you
have hitherto honored me, and which,
knozo, have faithfully labored to merit,
1t would be source of much felicitation
to myself, were it now practical, to visit
every county in the state previous to the
election, as well for the purpose of rem
dering to you an account of the manner
in which | have performed the duties
committed, by your kind partially, to
my charge, as to challenge fair, open,
and manly investigation, face to face, of
any part of my conduct that may have
been objected TO. The implicit reliance
which have in the justice and liberai-
ty of my fellow citizens induces me firm
ly to believe that have nothing to dread
from such an investigation. Ii those
who, by secret Vaccinations, have been
plotting my downfall, think otherwise,
] am, at all times, ready and willing to
meet them fairly before the people,
whose right, interest, and duty it is to
Judge between US.
Ithowever, my enemies, relying upon
the articles of personal management,
decline an investigation of my public
conduct, hoping for more, from an ex-
citement Of the honest prejudices of the
people, than from any appeals to their
sober understandings, it is not to be
doubted that every means calculated to
give success 10 such insidious and selfish
purposes will be adopted.
. A gainst the attacks of secret assail-
ants; the cIandestine reports of nameless
and irresponsible authors the insinua-
tons OF those who shrink from a manly
responsibility the odious trick, more
than once played off upon me, of exhibit
ing charges, at time, and under cir
cumstances, not admitting of the posi-
billy of refntation; the ugg ling and
Vaccinations of intrigucrs, both in and
out OF the state, who seek darkness be-
cause their deeds are evil--against these
and all such detestable stratagems and
articles confidently trust for security in
the honor, justice and magnanimity Of
my fellow citizens. They would not, |
am sure, condemn, without a fair trial,
the vilest culprit, much less one who has
been so distinguished by their partially,
as have had the honor to be. That |
may, on some occasions have erred, it
would be the most arrogant presumption
In me to pretend to doubt. But where
IS the man that is faultless! | would not
insist, had even the right to do so, that
such one alone, should throw the first
stone at me. But, being conscious that
have, faithfully, industriously, and
zealously, endeavored TO discharge my
duty to my constituents, to the full extent
I OF my limited capacity, do fatter my
self that they will view my conduct in the
aggregate, with every indulgence fairly
due to the frailties of human nature, and
the imperfections ofaIl human beings.
Having for three years past occupied
the highly responsible station for which
am now candidate, and having taken
an active part in measures of national
policy, as we'll as of local interest to the
state, it affords me great consolation that,
in all the opposition which is making to
my reelection, have not heard of sin.
gle objection to my views and conduct
on those occasions. No, not even to my
support ofthe bill fort the encouragement;
ofdomestic manufactures, which passed
the House Of Representatives upwards Of
two years ago.
To have served thus long, without af-
fording my enemies more pretexts for
opposing me, and throughout that period
to have pursued course which has so
generally met the appreciation of my
constituents, is even more than antici-
pated when l entered upon the unlried
theatre of national politics.
Floating rumors, however, and various
Misrepresentation of different charac-
ter, whose origin cannot be traced to a
solitary individual of responsibility, who
will pretend to vouch for their truth,
have been most industriously circulated
against me.
Among these, are charges ofmy hav-
ing volunteered my services as counsel
in criminal prosecution, which excited
no little interest and feeling at this place,
in the course oft last year-and ofthe
most gross, indicate, and cruel treat
mcnt towards female witness on that
trial, together with variety of other