Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-05-10

bu' we equally deprecate any attempt to
prevent any class of society from exer-
cising those equal rights, which are re-
cognized by the fundamental principles
of a free government, and guaranteed by
our political institutions.
What distinct interests have the mi
n;sters Of the gospel from the rest of the
community? They have to contribute
their just proportion of taxes for the sup
port of the government their interests
are equally affected by its measures;
they owe it the same obedience and are,
upon the prime lies Of justice, entitled to
the same protection, and privileges, as
other citizens. To deny them these
rights, or constrain them to abandon
them, would be nothing short of /" pro-
scription." Whether the article which
we have quoted was not intended for the
one, or the other of these purposes,
those who shall have read it, can easily
decide.
AS TO the manner Of opposing slavery,
we do not advocate its being done with
the spirit of " intrigue" either by the mi
nisters ofthe gospel, or by any other citi-
zens. But we contend that the former
have the same rights, and are under pro-
badly greater obligations to oppose it, if
they think it wrong, than the latter. And
though the editors Of the Republican
consider such sentiments as claiming
!" dirty privilege" for the teachers of reli-
gion, we trust the latter will have too
much tirmness, patriotism, and piety, to
abandon it.
Seeing the editors of the Republican
so religiously opposed 20 preachers in
ter'ering to prevent the introduction OF
slavery, we would ask them, if they con-
slider the interference of preachers in
favor oil it, more cxcusable And whether
their "poliical Chief" is not, himself,
a clergyman Hsv - If
The senior editor of the Republican is as.
sured, that he cannot hide himself under the
cover Of the word " communicated" And al
though. in hrs real character, he protests that
he is averse to a personal alteration with
us, the sincerity of his professions may be
doubted, if the two last numbers of that paper
are to be taken as sample of his aversion to
that course. We reciprocate his repuppance
to such pursuit. But, if we must be driven
to it, he'cannot expect that we shall permit
himto remain concealed, while we are, our
selves, rrominently before the public.
Not content with Withholding his name, as
one of the editors of that paper, he has, in its
last number, communicated certain queries
to U.s. as follows:
coNMuxIcArED.
"The Spectator Editor asks, WHY the Con.
venion party wishes to monoplize all the press
es in the state What evidence has he Of this
Can he tell who waited on him immediately
after the adjournment of the legislature, to
know what course he would pursue as it re gard
ed the convention, and how much money he
received--and what amount in Auditors war
rants Take care Master Brooke--remembe
the old adge, "1hose srho hve in glass houses
should not fhrorv stones, More anon. O."
twas, probably, not expected that these
queries would be answered But we reply.
without hesitation, that Immediately after the
adjournment of the legislature" the Rev. Vii
liam Kinaey, the senator from st. Clair county,
lin company with 7, ". Smith, Esq. the sena-
tor from Madlson) "waited on US to know what
course wewoald pursue as it regarded the con-
vention." We received from him, the sum of
$685. it being in full for printing, in handbills,
1000 copies of the proceedings and address of
the Vandalia " Public Meeting in favor of a
convention. We were, also, about the same
time, called upon by Thomas Libbincott, Esq.
with the Address Of the Minority to the Peo-
pie of Illinois. The junior editor of the Re-
publican was then present. For printing, in
handbllls, 1000 copies of that address, we re-
ceived the sum of SIS. And for subscriptions
10 the Spectator, for advertising, and in pay
ment Of old debts, besides good money and
notes OF the State Bank, amounting to about
$500, we have received, since that time, Au-
ditOr'S warraptcO ~ tho .p,onnt n O. IN MI.