Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-09-27
FOR THE SPECTATOR.


signed by those who voted in the legislature
for convention, to make this slaveholding
state. But it was resolved in the midnight
caucuses held at Vandala, that it would not be
good policy to let the people know the real
objects intended to be effected by a conven-
ton, or the political opinions of its advocates
and accordingly a committee was appointed to
draft an address for the purpose of Disgusting
theirvews and 10 fatter, and coax the people :;
whose report, it will be recollected, was adopt
ed by the midnight caucus. and published as
the proceedings of ga large and respectable
meeting Of citizens from all parts of the state %
Sfenographer TO the Caucus.
When in the course of factious events,
it becomes the interest of one party To
oppose and denoupce another, in order
to assume among the parties of the state
that supremacy which their own ambi-
tious desires, and their acknowledged
talent for intrigue enti,c ;hcm, tru h
would warrant, and want of respect for
the opinions OF mankind justify them, in
declaring the causes which impel lhenl
TO their political opposition and denunci-
a.ou.
We hold these truths 10 be selr-evi-
dent, that all men are not created equal /;
that they are not endowed by their Crea-
tor with any nnaliena5ie rights, and Ger
ialnly no, to the enJoymen, Of their lives,
liberty, or he pursuit Of happiness. Tia,
lbe more etiecleally to deprive mankh ind
OF rights which properly belong to Sc
ect lew, governments were instituted,
deriving their powers from the conscn,
otthai favored few, and not from mankind
generally; tina, whenever any form OF
government becomes destructive oil ibese
ends, il is The right OF the privileged few
to aller or abolish il, and to institute a
new sovernmenI--Isying its foundation
on such principles, and organizing its
powers IN such iovm, as to them shall
seem most likely to effect ,heir safety
and happiness. Policy indeed would
dictate, that republican governments
should be changed as soon as possible,
on the most plausible pretexts, previous
to the people becoming too strongly at
tached to them; and hence the nccessi-
ty Of now hating a convention to amend
the constitution of Illinois.
But when a long train of general bles-
Sings and equalizlng regulations, pursu-
ing invariably the same object, evinces
design to reduce TO a common level a II
mankind, and bestow liberty ami equality
on all, whether rich Or poor, white or
black, it is the right of,he privileged few,
it is their duty to throw off such govern
ment, and TO provide new guards COR their
future safety. Such has been the suffer.
ing oIthe higher orders OF society in this
state, and such is now the necessity which
constrans them to desire an alteration
in the present system of government.
The history OF the present constitution
OF Illinois is history of repeated bles-
sings, which have been showered down
indiscrimnately on the grea, mass ofthe
people, to the injury and degradation of
their beitors-and regulations having
direct object to the establishment of an
absolute liberty and equality among all
men. To prove this, lie, facts be sub
mi,ted to candid world,
The constitution of Illinois acknow-
Lodges, and is founded upon the sove-
rcigpty of the multitude, dec !aring in the
preamble, that the People,, in order to
establish justice, promote the welfare,
and secure the blessings Of liberty to
themselves and their postcrity, do form
themselves into free and independent
state.
'she constitution declares that all pow
err is inherent in the people; that all
men are born equally free and indepen-
dent, and have certain Inherent and in
defeasible rights, among which are those
Of enjoying and defending life and liber-
ty; OF acquiring, possessing, and pro-
Iccting property and reputation, and OF
pursuing their own happiness.
1t declares that allmen have natural
and indeleasible right to worship Al
mighty God according 10 the dictates of
their own consciences, and that no man
shall be compelled to attend or support
any worship against his consent; nor
shall any law ever be passed giving a
preference to any religious denomination.
II declares there shall be neither slave
ry nor involuntary serviidde in the state,
otherwise than for the punishment of
crimes whereof. the party shall have been
convcted-thus depriving US Of the
right Of holding slaves, = right ines.ima-