Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-08-02
FOR THE SPECTATOR.
Mr.. WARREN,


Mr.. WARREN,
In reading over the last Illinois
Republican our attention was arrested by
q precious article, which we presume
cannot obtain too extensive circulation
we therefore translate it for your paper
hoping you will give it an insertion.
"For the Republican.
Mr.. Prnter.-Having heard, that certain
preacher, whose name is not unlike Toms
son, has indtistrously circulated report, that
the citizens of Wood river and Rattan's prairie
are all opposed to q convention, beg leave to
state that it is glazing and manifest pervertion
Of truth. The independent citizens of Wood
river and Rattan's prairie are too well aware OF
their rights, to be either led or driven, and
this good man should be cautious how he
rives publicity to what is SO far from truth,
for TO state the real truth, know many indi-
viduals in favor of the convention in this quar-
ter; and | do not know one man decidedly
opposed to it. A citizen of Wood river"
Much has been written and vociferat-
ed against the ministers of the gospel
taking part in the convention question
which so much agitates the public mind
at present, but little we think has been
exhibited in dispassionate tone, which
alone can entitle it to serious attention.
We believe it to be the duty of the min
| listers, intAeir official atacity,t to denounce
the moral turpiude of slavery, if they
deem it sin, and as members Of commu-
nity,participating in the privileges of our
happy government, to endeayor to pre-
serve the purify of that political fountain,
from which all our happiness, as ma
ton or state is derived. Thus far"
and no farther,d do we think they should go.
Had the spirit OF intolerance among
the advocates of convention, been stay
ed here, we should have remained per-
fectly silent, believing that the in,eli-
gen, ministry aretoo well acquainted with
their duties, to require the instructions
Of ourselves or others. But in the arti-
Gle Just quoted, not the functions OF the
minister, but his character is assaied.
He is charged with circulating 81 indus
triousiy," report which is "a glaring
and manifest pervertion of truth" This
must be admitted by all to be charge
Of no ordinary magnitude, and to be thus
publicly made against the most humble
member Of society, should rest upon
permanent foundation.
Blu, against whom is the charge pre-
ferred The name is substantially CIV
en- in sound. tho not in letters; and that
the Rev. Mr. Thompson, the methodist
presiding elder, is the "preacher"
meant, ! apprehend there can be no
doubt Are you acquainted with the
Rev. gentleman alludedto If so, have
no remark to offer; if you are not, l
have only to say that his character is
above accusation, and those little futile,
corrupt, and contemplate shots when
leyelled against him, must always re-
bound upon those who aim them, with
oil the indignant feeling Of an insulted
public.
This chargeis urged against one ,inwhom
the perverted vision Of persecution, has
not been able 10 discover any thing but
candor, meekness, and holy devotion to
The religion Of his Redeemer, and the
convention OF souls to the doctrines of
truth, and in whose whole character, the
finger Of deraction has been unable to
point out blemish.
But what is the ground upon which
this charge is founded? Hearsay 4.
/" Having heard" &c. An insulted, in
iured, and Indignant community must
treat that individual, who has given SO
serious charge, against so unspotted
character, upon such futile tounda-
ton, with all that odium and aversion
which malicious and corrupt defamer
can possibly deserve.
The very appearance of the article,
bears evident marks of faisehood, but
when it is applied to the gentleman
charged, il seems to US that it is calcu
lated to excite but one sentimental
general burst of contempt and detesta-
ton, no, only for its falsehood, but for
the corruption offs origin.
1t is a mater Of extreme regret tina,
gentlemen should permit themselves to
be 50 entirely swayed by the influence OF
feeling upon question, which SO impe-
riously demands the cool and sober re-
Elections of reason, as that Of the conven-
ton. Individual character is assaulted
WIKI as little ceremony a. delicacy, and
no consideration is sufficient to shield it
from the enthusiastic dcnunciations Of
the violent partixan.
The present instance appears to be
one, where an unprovoked and an illibc-
raj attack is made upon character which