Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-10-11

The intany rests, at present, on the
heads cf hese persons-and there let ii
remain ! If we should give our sanction
to their conduct, by voting for conven-
ion, at their nsligati.n-then, indeed,
would disgrace cover the country, and to
be citizen of Illinois will be no homo
rable distinction"
This question having been thus forced
upon the people, in defiance OF law and
constitution, our course, in regard TO it,
is plain We must, on the present oc-
casion, vo.e against a convention, or be-
come accomplices in these netarlous Co.
ings. There are, no doubt, various par
ticu lars in our institutions which require
amendment, as, in the early stages OF a
government, will naturally be the case.
Il is new, and has hardly had fair trial.
At proper season, wten our honest
Representatives, after due dellberatlon,
shall, by constitutional majority, have
resolved to propose it to US, let lis ihen
have a convention. The detects OF the
present system are not OF nature SO ur-
gent as 10 forbid a short delay, and we
shall be the better qualified for revi-
sion OF the constitution from longer ex-
pcrience. A change. in the county com
missioners' courts-the removal of the
seat OF government, and annual sessions
OF the egislature--are, | believe, the
chief amendments talked OF. If the oh.
Iections TO the thing, as noao i'rohosed,
4 ht, ly,r
US to count the cos, of convention, and
TO consider, if, IL the exhausted, and
more than exhausted, the inSolvent, state
of the treasury, it would be discreet to
add that expense to our present pecunia-
ry embarrassment. In few years il is
probable we may better afford ii; but
lust now, the charge Of The remedy,
think, would be felt BY the people great
er grievance than all the diseases COM
planned OF.
But the disease in the legislature de-
mands our immediate attention; for the
interests OF the public have been bought
and sold in the face Of day; the law Of
elections, and the established rules OF
Legislative proceedings have been set at
nought, in order to ti,.usl this question
upon US. Such scene Of base intrigue
was never before exhibited under re.
preventative government as prevailed at
Vandalia through the last session.
1t cannot be for the interest or the
honor of the citizens OF Illinois that their
affairs should be so conducted. Even If
The object were beneficial, and should
accord with our wishes, to receive it
through SO impure a channel, would be
unworthy Of republicans. When we re.
quire convention, we can have one,
according to the constitution, through a
sound and respectable legislature. We
are not reduced to the humiliation Of OBJ
tanning it by Intrigue and chcanery, or
of accepting it from the hands which
have violated our rights in tire lcgisla-
tive assembly. their proper sanctuary !
Though nugatory in point Of Jaw, as
having been illegally and covrupay car
ried, this measure will become a precc-
dent for similar abuses, if it receive the
sanction of the people. Should the mines
Of Golconda be offered 10 US on these
terms, we should reject the offer VIZ
tsisdaln.-Such are, or ought to be, our
reflections at this important crisis.
Injustice, committed by private cii-
zen, is bounded in its mischief by the
nature of the act, and the perpetrator,
being an object OF contempt, is not like
iy to prejudice public morals by tbs in.
fluence of example. Enornties are
committed by despols in the wantonness
of power, and the people submit until
they acquire the means of avengng
themselves; but, as they detest the ,y-
rant, and abhor the tyranny, their sense
of right may not be viliated by the crimes
OF their rulers. Butwhen domineering
faction, in representative government,
commits injustice, covering its deeds
with the forms of legal enactment, a
people, conscious of these Proceedings,
and submitting to them because they
may chance to accord with their inclsa-
ton or supposed interest, bows its neck
to he yoke, and is unworthy to rank
among republicans ;-because, from that
time, their government ceases to be a
representative government. One faction,
having accomplished its purpose, gives
place to another, and that to third
un,I il sinks into despotism of the
meanest character; atyranny of knaves,
without honor or principle, or public
spirit What that is worth preserving
can remain alive under such a system /?
"The end justifies the MEANS" say
these lawless politicians, but it is a villa
nous plea, and would end in the destruc-
ton Of our liberties. Would to heaven