Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-08-16

selves that we hate the ugly monster
but SO long as we continue to cherish
the poisonous reed of slavery amongst
us, the world will doubt our sincerity.
With what face can we call ourselves the
friends of equal freedom and the inhe-
rent rights OF our species, when we wan
,only support laws inimcal to each
when we reject every opportunity OF
destroying by slow and safe de-
grees the horrid fabric of Individual bon
dage--a bondage reared By the mercena-
ry hands of those in whose breasts the
sacred fame of liberty never glowed."
But while l would draw in glowing
colors the unhappy condition of those
states where slavery receives the sanction
and support Of constitutions and laws,
and the still more wretched circum-
stances of the slaves themselves, suffer
me to exhort you, my fellow citizens, to
that cool, deliberate, determined opposi-
ton, unhesitatingly, and perseverngly,
which, under the blessing Of that DIvI-
NIFTY who rules the destinies of states ana
nations, may prevent the anticipated evil,
and defeat the Vaccinations of those who
would roll the flood of desolation over
our land. Let moi passion and violence
usurp the place oil reason and order. Be
firm and decided. 1t remains for the
electors OF Illinois to enter the lists, ar
rest the future growth OF the slave prin-
ciple, and provide for its final extermina-
ton from our soil, Bear this for your
mctto---" UNITED WE sTAND-DIvIDED
WE FALL"--act according to its genuine
spirlt-give your suffrages to no man
who will not declare unequivocally, his
determination of arresting the march oil
slavery, and providing for its future
death Give up all minor considera-
lions and sacrifice upon the altar of uni
yersal liberty, every private partiaility
and local prejudice to the great and noble
cause of human rights, and you have no.
thing to fear. Guard against an undue
excitement of passion. Act with mode
ration, dignifed with 6rmness and deci-
sion. The passions OF the people are
dangerous engines of faction or ambition.
They are capable of being aroused to
destructive fury, by dark insinuations, or
the fanatacism of mistaken liberty. And
when the passions of the multitude are
once excited, it is impossible to mark
the point beyond which they shall not rise.
Finally, let US all continue to revere,
love, and cherish the sentiments of which
this days celebration reminds us. And
as citizens of United America, let US
guard against those principles which
proved the ruin Of ancient republics.
1t was jealousy, party spirit, Intrigue,
and individual oppression,together with
general deciension Of morals, that even
tually accomplished the downfall of an
cient Greece. Ambitious men, that they
might acquire influence at home, and
bring themselves into notice, iinpelled
The people to resist the laws and DEGREES
of government. The several stalcs with
which the republic was composed, were
alternately infested with internal broils
and discords, till finally they fell an easy
prey to their enemies; and the whole
republic became the mere tool of Ty-
rant by whom they were ensaved.
1t was in this manner that Julius &C.
sar by his art, accustomed men, free
born, 10 bear with slavery, till at last he
erected an absolute despotism upon the
ruins Of the ancient Roman common
wealth.
History is replete with examples, tina,
the nations which have been brought to
ruin, have fallen prey to their own fol-
lies, by chershing in their bosoms the
poisonous serpent that accomplished
their own destruction.
In the old Testament the affecting
apostrophe was uttered to the ancient
Jews o Israel thou hast destroyed
tAyseis,"' till the Almighty breathed over
their deprayity the very sigh of despair,
and pronounced them incurably corrupt
land gave them up "to eat OF the fruit
Of their own ways, and to be filled With
their own devices" n
In the. economy Of nature there exists
an indissolube connection between vir-
tue and happiness. And by turning the
tables there is no truth more certain than
that vice, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and misery, go
hand in hand. Unaided by religion, the
whole fabric OF public morals, Of social
order, and human felicity, would tum-
bic in ruins.
Learn from ,hsse facts the importance
Of public virtue, and the influence Of re-
ligion for the preservation Of every go
vernment. Thus. shall we continue to
be that people whose God is the Lord.
Thus may wehope be will avert from
Us the calamities which other nations