Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-06-29
FOR THE SPECTATOR.


has occupied nearly three columns Of
his little paper to prove, not that the in
PRODUCTION of slavery into this state is i'm
possIble--not that he is himself op pos ed
to it--not that his party have any other
great object in view-but that the enc
mics Of slavery believe that it cannot be
introduced, even if the majority Of the
convention should be in favor OF it. For
this purpose, he has made several ex-
tracts from the writings of gentlemen
opposed to the convention; but unfortu-
naiely for him, can find nothing in any
OF these extracts to countenance the idea
: that slavery cannot exist in Illinois as
we'll as in Missori. The general scope
OF the extracts is to show that the introduce
ton of slavery into Illinois would be IL
legal, and violation of the public faith,
became it would contravene the ordin-
ance OF 1897. 1t is commended by them that
the people of this state have made a
solemn compact, or treaty, with the
United States, by which they have
agreed that slavery or involuntary scryi-
tude, except for the punishment Of
crimes, shall never be introduced into
this state. One oftheir extracts express
ly says, !" nations can make treaties one
day, and violate them the next, bu, they
, have not the right to DO so; nor can it
be done without mourning the charge of
national per6dy. The editor labors
hard to make us think that be does not
know the difference between illegahtv
and imhossibitty.
The editor trumphantly asks, "whe-
Their this state, by its representations in
the convention, could do an illegal act ;"
| answer, yes. Why not the member.
OF convention exempt from the frailties
and imperfections common TO the rest of
mankind? Are they not even composed
oil the same materials as members of the
legislature And do not legis latures fire.
quently do illegal acts! think could
point out several instances in which The
legislature OF this state have performed
illegal acts, and in which such Illegal
ac,s do not appear to have been perfect
" nugatory."
Ipresume it will be admitted that the
constitution OF this state is laGv; and that
any act done in violation OF tina, ins,ru-
ment, is an illegal act The 10th Sec
ton of The Cd article of this constitution,
says, " No senator or representative
shall, during the time for which he shall
have been elected, be appointed to any
civil office under this state, which shall
have been created or the emoluments of
which shall have been increased during
such time" Such is the law. Now for
the act. fR
Milton Ladd was member of the
Senate of this state when the Office OF
Judge OF probate was created. He con-
tlnued to be a member when the Office
was abolished and re-cstablished at the
last session. Yet this same Milton Laid
was appointed by the legislature, to the
otficesi Judge Of Probate for Morgan
Counly-an office created during the
time for which the said Milton Laid was
elected a senator. Was not this an iiie-
gal act on the part Of the legislature !?
And did il prove TO be "perfectly nuga-
tory :" Or did Mr.. Laid enter upon
the duties of bis office in the same man.
ner as il he had beer, constitutonally ap-
pointed? 2,.G
Again-Theophilus w. Smith, Tho
mas Sloo, jr Samuel Alexander, and
Emanuel J. West, were all members of
the legislature 1.-THE last session. They
were all appointed to the office Of canal
commissioners, which Office was created
during the time for which they were
elected members Of the legislature.
Was not this another illegal act? Has it
beer" perfectly nugatory p Have no,
some or all OF these gentlemen entered
upon the duties Of their office! And are
they not at this time as much in possess
ion OF those Offices as if their appoint
ment had been constitutional 2
Suppose the editor of the Republican
should be travelling alone through a
dreary wilderness, and should be sud-
denly met by robber, who should pre-
sent his pistol to the editors bosom and
demand his money. Suppose that the
editor should remonstrate with the rob-
Der, and should tell him TO take his mo-
ney in that manner would be illegal, un-
just, contrary to the laws Of God and man,
oppressive and tyranica. What would
he think it the robber should give him
the following answer; q Sir, you need
notbe afraid. You say thasto take your
money in this way, would be illegal. If
this is the case, it will not be binding up
on any body. It will be perfectly nuga-
tory. III have not right 10 your money
l cannot take ii. Do not. therefore. OBJ.