Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-03-15

ly abolish, or could now introduce slave
ry, without conflicting with the constita-
ton or laws of the United States, which
it is conceded they might, zve are entitled
10 the free exercise 9ffhe same diScre-
ton"
The legal power of the State of Illi-
nois to introduce slavery, is therefore
dishated hoint. The apprehension that
the courts OF the United States would de-
eide against that power, might perhaps
deter many wealthy slave holders from
emigrating hitler, were slavery admitted
by our constitution while the fact of its
admission would be an msurmountable
barrier against those who are opposed to
slavery. In this manner emigration
would be entirely shut out. 1t might
here be asked, have the courts OF the
United States declared illegal and in
operative, the late territorial laws, under
which slavery has existed, and still
exists, to certain extent, in this State
II they have SO declared them, why are
men now held in bondage among us, aud
made liable TO be sold by the sheriff for
the debt Of their masters At all events,
the fact that slavery does exist in this
state, IN some degree, notN outstanding
the ordinance, and Notwithstanding the
courts of the United States, is sufficient
to caurion us against depending upon
Them Tor protection against an evil which
il Is our own duty to avoid. No, fellow
citizens, if you do not wish to see the
Bohon Utas Of slavery spread lis desc
.lating influence over this delightful coun-
try--if you do not wish to fasten upon
yourselves the odum Of having trans
formed land of liberty into land of
slavery--it you do not wish 70 bring up
on your posterity the greatest of all
evils, and upon yourselves the execra-
tons Of future genetalions--rely NOT up
on the courts OF the United States; bui
rely upon yourselves. The Congress
of 1887, with parental solicitude, have
conhded TO you the sacred boon OF li3er,
W. 1t is your duty to protect and pre-
serve it.
plausibilily, by the advocates of "a con
vention, that the adoption of that inca
sure would be merely Submitting the
question tothe people. But what bepe-
iii viii the enemies Of slavery derive
from having a question submitted to the
people, which was decided by them
more than four years ago? BY such
measure, the friends of liberty may lose,
but they cannot gain, Is il not evident
that the agitation of the subject of slave
~ viii have most pernlcioos effect up
on the population and improvement Of
the Stale? VIII il not, until the ques-
ton is decided, prevent the emigration
10 this stats Of both the friends and enc
mics of s!averya viii not many of our
citizens, who are determined not to re-
side in slave holding state, suspend
their improveme until decision OF
this important question is ob,ained' Is
not this subject calculated 10 rouse ali
the malignant passlons--to array neigh
bors against neighbors, brothers agains,
brothers, and children against parents !?
Aud what benefit can be derived from a
convention, sufficient TO compensate for
these evils Should the friends of slave
ny fail to obtain majority, will they MOI
prevent any beneficial alterations in the
constitution
But should a convention be called, the
northern counties would not have their
due share in the tepres sntaiion. AT the
last census the, then county of Madison
contained nearly FIVE thousand more in
babtants than were enumerated by the
commissioner who took the census IN
der the authority the State. This ap-
pears from the return of the deputy
marshal, who took the census Of the
county under the authority of the United
States. In addition to this, no other part
of the State has populated so fast as the
counties of Greene, Sangamo, Morgan,
Pike, and Fulton, which formerly be-
longed to Madison county. This is the
true reason why the friends of slavery
are so anxious. to have convention
called at this time. They are aware that
If it is delayed until another census, a
new apportionment Of the representation
will put it for ever out of their power to
effect their favorite project.
/ The ordinance of 1897 was solemn
compact between the United States and