Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-03-29
STATE POLITICS.
Communicated Foa THE saEcTAT0R)
TO TIE PUBLIC.


have promised the public a full ex-
position of the late transao lions al Van
DALAI enter upon the subject with re-
luctance. have natural aversion to
political copiioversions Of any kind
they are seldom designed to elicit truth.
They are too generally spleeny and acri-
nonious. The lurking passion oil evil,
which governs The politicians The day,
qualities them better for viluperation,
than dispassionate inquiry into the
measures. However justly | may COM
plain oil their want OF courtesy and com.
ptaissnce towards myself, l am yet uA-
willing TO be understood as depreeatins
their influence. | am get to suceumb
to the false and malicious representa-
tons OF private enmlty or political OPP
position. My greatest endurance Is the
insuti'erable dislike | feel OF defending
myself against men whose good or i'll
will is the least object OF NY considers
ton. For ii know my own Thoughts
and actions, ii am hot deceived in my
own firmness and fortitude, II have not
misplaced my confidence IN friends oil
long standing and Acquaintance, no jusu-
tica,ion is required Oh my par' to pre-
serve their esteem and rIolhlng can add
to the private satisfaction | derive from
The consciousness OF having meri:ed none
OF The reproaches Of invdious rivals or
malignant enemies. II complete de-
yotedness 10 my country did 10, make
NE the advocate of her free institutions
if reciprocal affection, and ihe most I'M
my late constituents and myself, did not
impose it upon me, as a duty, to submit
ny conduct to their scrutiny and impair
tial decision, | should wrap myself in
inviolable secrecy, leave my reputation
to future times, and in the solitude OF re-
tirement make merry With the intrigces
and management, of our Illinois Lsgisla-
ture. But torbear--every man mas his
respective duties TO periorm-to God,
to society, and himself.
Whatever good may result from the
development of transactions SO extra
ordinary, so unprecedented, and SO dis
graceful as transpired in the halls of our
legislature during the last winter, can
propose nothing to myself but the labor
and fatigue OF the undertakins. ask
no distinction for myself, however meri-
torious my conduct may have been.-I
seek no remuneration for my sacrifice,
however freely l became the victim
But cannot be insenslble to the ealum-
MES of my enemies, as nwarrantable as
they may be, from the sa,raps OF the
party down to their buttons in the legis-
lature, when the excitement which they
are endeayoring TO create to my pre-
dice, is evidently intended to divert The
public mind from the legitimate objects
of its consideration. Whatever extenua-
ton, or even palliation, they may plead
in their behalf, for the wanton violation
Of every principle of law, justice and the
yet the moral carnage they
perpetrate, to pr pare the way tor their
Justification, must rouse the indignation
of every honest man. Such eXpedients
have ever been resorted to by every suc-
cessive demagogue, since politics be-
came trade, and political deception an
art. I care as little for popular opinion
as any man, bnt ! do care tina, state