Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-07-12


those features from the constitution. and
insert nothing in lieu Of them. But if
other modes are intended to be substi-
tuted, it would certainly be we'll that
the people should be early informed of
them, in order that they might be able
to compare them with the present. We
feel unwilling to go blindfold 10 work
on an instrument which appears to have
been prepared with SO much care and
wisdom, and which has for its object the
preservation of interests so lasting and
important.
The removal OF the seat of govern
ment is another reason proposed for the
call Of convention. In our view the
frequent removal of seat of govern
ment is at least doubtful policy. 1t de.
stroys that confidence which is necessary
to induce permanent and extensive i'm
provements. Prudent men seldom erect
great and costly establishments, which
cannot be removed, when they are liable
to suffer depreciation in their value by
the caprice ota portion of the community.
That the present site is as good as
might have been obtained we are not
disposed to assert; but we are strongly
inclined to believe it to be impossible
at the present time for any body of men
who can be collected together from the
different parts of the state in legisl ative
capacity, 10 agree on any other spot for
its location. An opinion that we ex-
press with the more confidence in con-
sequence OF the complete failure OF an
attempt made at the late session to fix
on site for penisentiary. But if by
compromise. a spot could be selected,
we are by no means sure that the deci-
sion would be more satisfactory to the
people than the town of Vandala.
We have heard some express de-
sire that annual elections and annual
sessions of the legislature should pre-
vail. Whether the wish is general we
know not: But The good policy of the
measure admits of strong doubts. Adj
yanced as we are in the science of 60
vcrnmenl, and secure as are our rights
and liberties against the encroachmen,s
oil the legislature, and vested as the
executive is with the power of converting
that body 10 meet any pressing emergen-
cy, we cannot conceive it either necessa-
ry or polite TO incur the expense of an
nual sessions, or SO frequently to dis
trac: the public mind by popular cleo
tons. Villain uuo eer the efficiency OF
newly devised measures cannot fairly be
tested. The animosities OF party COLI
sions cannot have sufficient time to sub
side, so as to enable the people, dispas-
slonately to investigate their merits,
even without reference to their practical
operation. Delibera,ion in the conduct
OF community is no less important to
its happiness and prosperity than it is to
an individual, nor are rashness and pre-
cipitancy less dangerous. While bien-
NAL elections and sessions therefore suf-
ticcntiy guard US against the evils of a
want of legislation, they also protect us
from an equally dangerous evil--,bat OF
too frequent, and i'll dlgesled legislation.
And instead of finding this proposition
salutary, or even harmless, we cannot
but believe that it would be discovered
to impair the symmetry and lessen the
usefulness of Our constitution.
We think we have shewn that the fore
going objections to our constitution are
severally insufficient to create necess-
ty for their alteration. Nor do we sup
pose that the whole collectvely-con-
sidering the little probability there is OF
such amendments being made, as would
give general satisfaction, are of sufficient
weight to induce measure which must
inevitably retard for time the progress
of the state in improvement.
But another object has beeen declared
by many Of the advocates of the conven-
ton, to be in theirview. tits, to authorize
the establishment of slavery in Illinois.
Slavery is allowed by all, to be in the
abstract, unjust and iniquitous, But i,
is contended, that as it already exists, we
may without mourning the imputation OF
political or moral guilt, extend it over a
larger portion of the United States, and
becomeourselves par,icipators in it. We
frankly avow that we are governed by
moral reasons in our objections to its
extension and establishment in this state ];
but we also conceive we car shew on
political considerations alone, the impro-
priety of opening our state for its admis-
sion. Indeed we believe that if we con-
suit only our present pecuniary advan-
tage we shall refrain from the attempt.
We consider as self.evident truths,
that the prosperity Of this state, depends
in great degree on emigration from