Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-11-02

James Turney, 90
William Harrison, 20
John Todd,
UniOn,iHe P5'eciacf.
William HarisGn, IS
James Turney, 10
JOHN Todd, IA
Alton Precinct
William Harrison, so
James Turney, IS
John Todd,
From the above it will be sen that, thus far
the Adams ticket has prevailed over all other.
| united.
SIX Nile Precinct remains to be heard from
| 1t is expected the returns from that place
will increase Mr.. Harrison's majority.
p. S. We have just heard from Relleville
and Leoanon Preeiuvtr in St. Clair cougtv.
fhey give, for Harrison l57, Todd 10. fur.
ney and scattering, So
Mn. WARREy,
The following observations relate to an i'm.
portant subject, to which they are designed Il
invite the attention OF the people. ttyou think
them any way calculated tot answer this pur-
pose, You are at liberty to publish them ii
your paper.
The time has gone by when a certain
class oil the citizens of this state by
means OF coov>ption expected TO open
the fair bosom o. our constitution for the
embrace Of thafhedeou, m ons er, Slavery
But On the day OF trial, their hopes be-
came as a SPIDERS web, aud their expoc-
tailons like the giving up of the ghost
the voice OF large majority ofthe pco-
pie declared by their suttrages that they
would preserve the chastity OF freedom
against the unhallowed attempts OF se-
ducers. But although the question
which late agitated the com munity is
sunk into oblivion, and the prospect Of
The extension of slavery in this stats is
annlh,lated, yet there are facts connect
ed with this subject, which call for the
serious consideration of the people, and
theprampt decision OF our government
The facts alluded 10 are contained IN
the governors conmunica.ion to the
legislature OF this stale at lis last session,
as follows:
The ordinance established by Con-
gress Ter the government of the not h
western territory, declares that neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude Shall
exist in the country, yet, notwithstand.
ing this, slavery still exists in the state"
sc. This part of the message was by
the senate, referred to selec, comu,n-
'ee Of that honorable body; the report
OF which being sanctioned by majority
of the Senate, constitutes SO high an su-
tbority, as no doubt, in the opinion oil
many, to settle the question embraced
in that subject. This report, therefore,
shall constitute the s.aIect Of a lew
structures as we pass to an ;nvcsliga-
ton OF The principle to which it relates
Ii states. thai "when the country north
west oil he5 OHIO was coded TO the IA
ton, slaves, "a species Of property well
known to the laws OF Virginia. were sc.
cured to the then citizens OF Virgins
inhsbiting the coded country, by Ian
guage too plain, and forcioie to be mis-.
unde stood or evaded." What is the
language Of the deed Of cession which
sec res slaves to certain persons therein
mentioned, in SO "plain and Iorcible" a
manner, in the eyes Of this con ni,tee
Il ,is no douot ibis; that said persons
should have their "possessions and title.
confirmed to them, and be protected il
the enjoyment Of their rights and liher,
ties" But have these expressions ali,
direct reference either TO slaves or the
laws of Virginia ? II is true that the
persons in whose favor, these stipuia
tions are made, are such as profess them
selves to be citizens of Virginia but
the deed OF cession itself, supposes then
to be under laws and regulations in SONS
respects peculiar to themselves; ane
secures to them the continuance OF ttoss
nsages, while under the general govern
ment. This territory some time pre-
vious to the cessiou, was conquered BY
Col. Clark the French and other set
tiers of Kasksskis, St. Vincents, &c
submitted to become citizens of the con
quered slate; and no doubt to secure
their friendship. and prevent the trouble
and expense of new modelling their go
vcrnment, they were permitted to enjoy
that system to which they were &C
customed. As to their possessions
and titles" common sense woult
be at no loss to decide that thes'
expressions related to the lands they
possessed, and the titles they had pre-
-