Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-05-04

against measure fraught with such in
calculable evils. Ii is no time for its
opposers to be silent, and we conceive
that all public bodies should make known
their sentiments concerning the project
now on foot tor the Introduction Of slavery
among US. The proposed change is one
of great magnitude and pregnant with
cons quences which cannot be contem-
plated by any thinking citizen but with
feelings of the deepest interest Its ell
fects will be of a permanent and abiding
character. No human foresight can an
ticlpate, or calculation measure them.
We cannot witness any attempts TO
extend the empire OF slavery over the
state of Illinois, without serious appre-
hension and alarm; and what mistaken
notions of policy or self-interest could
have engendered wish to effect it, we
are unable To perceive. The reasoning
which attempts to prove that the depress-
ed state oil the times, and the embarrass-
ments which perysde the community
will be alleviated or remedied by The in
PRODUCTION OF slavery among Us, IS entire
ly falacious, and proceeds upon false
propositions. But suppose that some
temporary relief might be experienced
are the people OF Illinois wiling to le" j
their aid to enlarge the dominion OF sla-
very, and multiply The number OF those
who shall drink its bitter draughl The
United STATES iorm the tairest republic
on the face of the earth, and their govern
ment affords to an admlring world the
happlest illustration Of the principles OF
free and self government; and shall! we
be wiling to tarnish the beautiful slruc-
ture of our civil polly by the slavery OF a
human being The right to enslave the
African race is not taught by our poilll.
cal institutions so lar from 1t, its loudest
lesson is the constant inculcation OF uni
versal freedom. The accents oi repnb-
licanlsm do not dwell upon the tongue
OF him who at tie same time speaks tree
dom to white, and slavery to black men.
But aside from all question OF right, we
feel that is Introduction among US would
lay he foundation OF great and Interim
nabie evils--evils which we should soon
most seriously dcpiore, and to prevent
which is solemn dnly We owe ourselves
and our posIerity 1t is dangerous to
mlnglc secret poison with our daily
food. II is not our purpose on this oc-
casion to unfold and display the moral
and political evils of slavery. They are
written with pen of iron in the history
OF the present age aud in the experience
Of our own country. With the wise and
good OF these states il is subject oil deep
regre, and depreciation, that slavery holds
its reign in any Of them, and that we
shout Id wish to add to their number can
only be attributed to blindness and poll
lical inlatua,ion. Such is the public sem
liment Throughout, this country on the
SUBJECT of slavery, that if any practicable
mode could be discovered to annihllate
it in this land of liberty, by vigorous and
united eiforls, a giants strength would
speedily be put forth for its utter exicr-
mlDaton. We hope and trust the virtue
and good sense Of the people Of Illinois
will save them from the evils with which
hey are now menaced, and we call upon
he friends of freedom throughout the
state TO array themselves under its ban
Der, and to sustain with all their ener-
sies the edilice of our political rights as
il now stands. The right to PROSTATE it,
and raise upon its ruins a fabric which
shall open It's doors to slavery, we do
lot believe, exists. If the genius of our
rational government is to be discovered
n any one particular at the time OF its
ormation, ii is in the assignment of Ii
mis- to slavery. This part OF The Union
vas many years since consecrated by the
american government to universal and
perpetual liberty. Ii the most solemn
if the most public declara-
ions, if the most explicit interolictions
against slavery afford any guaranty for
It's lasting prohibition, if there be any
iaiih in treaties and compacts, if pub ic
pledges can be given and received, then
indeed we have not the right to introduce
.he African race among US, tor the pur-
pose OF en'alling upon them slavery, and
upon ourselves its evils. The ordinance
Of 1887 was raised up to stand as per.
petual barrier to the ingress OF slavery
into the northwestern territory, and I'M
der its faith hundreds and thousands have
come hlther TO enjoy the blessings of
reedom, never expecting it would be
from any. II there can be
any such thing as mutual engagement
between the people OF Illinois and the
United States, an engagement OF the
most important and lasting character has