Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-06-07

Although there was sadness while
for the loss sustained, when General
Washington and General Morgan led
their ragged strpplings to the bloody
plain, rejoicing soon dashed from the
countenance of every gallant whig, for
the victories gained. Through the eff
cacy of their sufferings and intrepidity,
we, their posterity, can sail over the vast
expanse of ocean, without the least dam
ger of being molested. Thanks be to the
most High, we are free nation, and have
reason to rejoice that our fathers were
lion hearted, and endowe ed with wisdom
adequate to Their undertaking, and that
they offered their lives at the shrine of
Liberty; whence they were conducted
TO surround the throne of eternal light,
where oppression and wrong can never
enter. Seeing, that liberty is so much
to be desired, and should belong equally
to all, should not our rulers extend it as
far as the bounds of possibility may per-
nit ? Oppression O, it is as odious as
hell 1t is abominable in the sight Of all
who wish to do justice /!
| think hear the poor African say,
60 that my body was laid III the clay
My wife and my children are from me took,
My friends and parents long have forsook,
Not willing to part but yet must go,
Though it should cause both misery and wo."
think hear another one say,
" May never see the brightness of day;
My limbs to bleaching SUMS and parching sands
Are exposed, see my crusted feet and hands!
No shoes for to wear, no clothes to put on,
To save me from neither brer nor thorn"
think hear another one say,
eel am starved both night and day;
Yet is this all have to lament No;
Many scars and wounds TO you can show.
My body is beat with wood and with hide,
Which oft lays open my back and my side;
I often cry, o Lord what shall dol
Must live with this soul-tormenting crew.
My master and mistress must obey,
Until my poor body drops into the clay!"
And bark hear another one say,
My head, by sun-beams scorch'd, is growins
grey.
Although my hateful race is nearly run,
Yet tasks Of heavy nature must be done.
Though lave aised many slave with pain,
Yet nor freedom nor rest can | obtain.
Humpled and crumpled as I now do stand,
Huol jump III INV YOUNG lofu D CoilihtH0-
My young mistress says 4 must her obey,
Though should rise three hours before day,
o, my misery on earth is SO great
May be eased by some plying fate.
| do not pretend to say that all those
who have slaves give them this horrible
treatment, but there are hundreds, yea
thousands of poor Africans in the United
States, who do receive inhuman treat
mcnt of this description, and even Of a
4vorse description than tongue can de-
scribe Then why did we fight for hber-
ty, while we still strengthen The oppres-
sor's chain? O, it is rank inconsistency
1t ought not to maculate The character ct
the true sons OF Columbia.
Could all shareholders be brought to
proper view of the injustice Of slavery,
this worst of all reproaches, would be
hurled with indignation from our shores.
Some pretend 10 say, he eats, he wears,
he fares as do, and has less to perpicx
him, and is consequently happier than if
he was free. But let those who think so,
change conditions with the negro, thea
they.may be believed. Ifliberty is worth
the blood of thousands, why withhold it
from any? Some say because they are
black. Is this any reason? Surely not.
are they not human flesh and blood, en-
dowed with the same faculties we are.
Though deprived of the opportunity Of
being equal in education
If certain degree Of intellectual
strength should be made the line Of de-
marcation between slaves and free men,
what balance, what measure is there,
whereby TO ascertain the precise pointe
Should such a division be made, surely
all will agree that every thing having,a
sense of the indigni!y Of slavery ought TO
go free.
JANE GOOD.
Ridge Prairie, June Cd, 1928.