Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-11-08

tolerate slavery Tor that would en-
courage exiravsgance, cripple industry,
keep Us poor, and blight all our pros
pects. JONATHAN FREEMAN
SIR,
| would freely commit the question
which now agitates and disgraccs this
state, to congress of wise and conscien-
tious men taken from "a Slave holding
state, and consent to abitle by their de-
eision, confined to this simple points
slavery considered as it affects the en-
shaving party, blessing or a curse
There is not at this moment clvili-
zed nation on the face OF The earth W hich
has tasted the bitterness of slavery, (and
il is impossible to drink OF that cup with
out tasting its bitterness,) there is no,
one which does not loalh il as a nauseous
and poisonous draught. The old slave
states of This republic, are wri1hing IN
der il as an evil for which they can find
no remedy. The ennse republic, of
which we form an inconsiderabe section,
as a body, detests it. Europe, though
enveopcd by political thraldom, declares
even IN the Congress OF NeronA, her ab-
borrence of The system and Great Bfi
tain in parliament, urged by. petitions
from the people, has determined Oh moa-
sures leading 10 the emancipation o. the
slaves in her colonies. Whence then
is the iniatlatlon of the citizens OF this
state who would beckon into their land
OF freedom ihIS uutcast abomnation Of
the whole earth? Are there men among
as who can eXnlt in The hope that a ma
lority of their fellow ciizeus viii be o
base as to hold up their hands for slave
ry? Such men, Sir, are unworthy of the
blessings Of this free constitution: They
are unworthy Of the age they live in:
Unworlhy, as l trus; it will appear. II
that community 10 Which lhcy presume
to look for support in heir lDiqutous a.
tempt to enslave their country.
Libera,ors of mankind are embalmed
in history: VIC dwell upon their names
with fiIia tondnoss But those who in
this age Of Intelligence can employ their
talents and their influence to rivel The
letters which aVarlce, in times OF igno-
rance, has fixed upon their fellows -
what Shall we say OF them .-Languagc
IS unequal 10 the expression OF our m
dignalop and our-piiy!
believe, Sir, and in that belief | do
eXllt, that the number Of these uniortu-
nate persons is very limited and dmi-
nishes conunuaiiy; aad that the day oil
trial will 6ni the cilizens Of Illinois
worthy OF heir station. O,ber ia IONS
are struggling manfulIy against inVe;e-
rate institutions OF poItiea bondage tron
which we are free: One end all, We
pray for their success: And blessed as
we arc in the enjoyment Of those equal
rights, with which our Creator has en-
dowed all mankind) and With equal laws
founded Oh those rights we are not going
TO introduce in,o the very Bosom Of our
families the most cruel and detestable
oppression
Our fore,a,hcrs of many generations
would have sacrificed Themselves TO Sc
cure these privilege Tor their offspring.
Let ms, then, With grateful hearts and
hands Of industry, improve the blessings
we enjoy, aud in due season we shall
abound in wealth and comforts honestly
acquired.
JONATHAN FREEMAN.
viz.
Sir,
The following queries, arising out Of
facts which premise, | beg leave 10
submit to gentlemen learned in the law.