Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-06-28
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EDWARDSyILLE, JUNE %, 1928.

EDWARDSVILLE, JUNE %, 1928.
| 81 Next Friday being the FOURTH OF JULY
our next number will not be published until
the 18th Of that month.
| 1t is with real satisfaction, that we feel
warranted in confidently assuring our fell
low citizens, that the question of slavery
is rapidly declining, and will doubtless
soon become more unpopular than it ever
has been, in the western part of the state.
| No stronger evidence of this need be re-
CURED, than the present silence and re-
serve on the subject, OF the main infuen-
ta men, who are supposed to be, at
heart, in favor of slavery. II they thought
that measure practicable, or, even, po-
pular in this section of The state, let its
advocates ask themselves whether it is
not reasonable to suppose that those gen
tlemen would act very differently. They
may be disposed to see others risk them
selves upon the project, and, if it
succeed, may then be willing to be
identified with it. But they feel that the
danger of defeat is SO great, that they
will not themselves incur any Of the risk,
which they stimulate others to encounter.
This is poor part tor leaders, and it
would be degrading to any, who could
thus consent to be lead. A leader, to
enitle him to confidence and respect,
should not be content to point out the
course, and say" go on, my boys - but
he should take the track himself, and
cry out, g follow me, my brave fellows
This every body knows is the best way
to ensure success. And those gentle
men would be the first to adopt it, il
they did not consider the cause too hope
less.
The citizens of the eastern and south
ern parts OF the state, have been deceiv-
ed by the reports of ms ;ruc,ians to some
Of our members, during the late session
of the Legislature. These instructions,
though procured in the most exception
able manner, negative the idea of slavery
being popular; for they take the ground
that " slavery cannot be introduced into
this state; )" and without this, ins;ru ctions
could never have been procured in this
quarter.
Some of our most respectable and in
huential fellow citizens who have been
in favor of convention, have recently
become convinced, that it would be i'm
polite, Unjust, and dangerous to have it,
until certain parts of the state can be
more fairly represented. They have,
therefore, changed their ground, and are
lost to the side of slavery. Mr.. West,
one of our representatives, who voted
for convention, is, we are informed.
so warmly opposed to slavery, that be
has declared She would leave the state
if it were introduced - and Mr. Smith,
our senator, and co-editor of the Gre
publican," though in favor of conven-
ton, we understand, does not hesitate to
avow his opposition to slavery; and of
course, if he be consistent, will contri-
butte to prevent the election of those who
may be in favor, Of it. How moriiying
this must be to some people, who have
made very different calculations! This
is, indeed, giving up the question. The
people, however, ought not to feel too
secure. They should profit By their
past experience 1t was, last year, among
the least of their culations, that the
convention question could be carried by
a majority of two-thirds of both branch
es Of the Legislature, and although.the OPP
position Of the people to that measure is
constantly increasing, and its failure more
certain, the friends of freedom ought to
take care not to elect those who may
react the scenes of last winter. For it
should be remembered, that, although
the slave party may be defeated in their
stratagems to induce the people to vote
for convention, at the next election, the
question may not then be settled. There
is nothing to prevent the next legislature
from renewing the contest, by the adop-
ton of another resolution for again taking
the sense of the people on the subject.
As to ourselves, independent of the
question of slavery, we shall always be
opposed to that measure, until there can
be a more equal and fair representation.
And if it should ever become necessary
to adopt it, the situation Of the state, and
the PLANES, principles of republicanism,
require that itshould 6e done immediate
" succeeding the taking of an enumcra-
ton Of the people, so as to ensure to all
as equal a representation - might be
practicable.