Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-09-20

is a matter Of Indifference what infu-
enced you to vote for the call, inasmuch
as you vote il into the hands of an une-
quail representation in which these four
counties will have but three delegates.
They knowing this, do they not act like
themselves in baiung their hook with
the promise Of the seat of government
either at this or the other place, just as
it will best subserye their purposes.
But would these promises be obligatory
upon them, and would they act like them
selves if when they got the power into
their own hands they should no, use it
to further their project? And what can
you expect when their interest comes in
| competition with yours, will they not at
tend to their own and leave yours ne
elected? But will no. deny, but that
in some cases they have been generous.
For example-have you not been fur
nished judge of probate and clerk Of
the circuit court from another county,
and OF that party? II nor to whom
honor is due. Blu, still think it unti
to trust too much either to their honor or
generosity.
do not say that our constitution can
| not be amended in some respects, but
| have no hopes that it would be amend
ed for the better by the present advo-
Gates for the convention. Who are they !?
Pause and examine. But to couc!ude,
have not many evils began, and will the,
not awiully increase if slavery is intro,
duced here? Parties are strong and
ambitious on both sides. A scene OF
intestine war may begin in The state
which may not terminate in number OF
years. Emigration from all states will
cease. The peace Of community de-
stroyed. Neighbors fighting on days OF
election, and long train Of other evils
will follow too tedious to mention. Some
of which will mention. The destroy
ing the good faith of the state, and dis
grazing ourselves by asking govern
nent to let us violate the compact, to-
gether With the ordinance OF '87. Do we
not owe to this ordinance, the settlement
of some Of our best citizens among us
Many OF these worthy citizens, il slavery
should be introduced among us, may re-
move out of the state. Such evils no
honest man will encourage. Such evils
| deprecate. Who then that is friend
to the state, his neighbors, or to good
faith, and especially if interested in
Green, Morgan, Pike, or Fulton coun-
ties, together with SAM amo,) will not
oppose the convention, SO long as these
and many other evils will in all proba-
biliiy result therefrom.
Fellow Citizens have you not suffer-
ed privation, hardships, toll, sickness,
and danger, in making your way to, and
breaking the soil in these frontier settle
ments !! Let me advise you to stand
united in your votes at the next election
in opposition TO the convention. It's the
tloodgate through which all the evils be-
fore mentioned are to be let into the
state il the convention succeeds.
II we 90 our duty, we can live in
peace, and while the threatning storm is
receding, the sun of prosperity will shed
its luster on our fertile soil. O! tina;
The God of nature may incline you to
wisdom's ways, and in the paths of vir-
tue, SO that when life's dull vanities are
done, we mays be received with ever
during bloom. safe from disease and de-
cline.
q. Mr.. Job from the committee ap-
pointed to draft a constitution, reported
the following, which was adopted; five
citizens, only, manifesting any aversion
TO the principles therein exhibited.
CONSTITUTION.
Under free government, public Opt
Mon gives energy to the laws: hsppi-
ness and security being the legitimate
end, every good citizen thereof has an
interest in It's support: under its foster
ing wing, his moral, bis religious, and
his political rights are maintained vir-
tue and intelligence should be its bond of
union. But as man is naturally prone
to abuse power, it is rendered necessary
for the security Of the whole, that this
dangerous propensity should be well
guarded against. Therefore, we citi-
zens of Morgan county, have thought
it advisable to form society for the pur-
pose of concentrating public opinion
and by frequent interchange thereof to
enlighten and direct each other. When
entering into association it becomes an
Indispensable duty to adopt q regular
system of establishing order; it is the
declared design and intention Of this So
ciety, to promote the public good, by
using all honorable means to prevent
the introduction ofslavery into this state,
by maintaining the purity OF elections,
by cherishing political harmony, and by