Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-05-18

degree of philanthropy, which kind ma
ture gives 10 all. 1t is true his cruelty
is exercised mostly towards his slaves,
because they are more completely under
his control. But has he any more feel
iogs towards his nelghbors, especially
those who are poor, than slaves. Rea-
son teaches that II he can inaict the
sOrerst punishment upon poor black,
Tor the most tmling offence, or from self.
interest, that he would do the same 10 a
white, CT be was not prevented by laws
il occasion should offer. N.ture would
have the same impulse in one case as in
the other
Sd. II promotes enmily amongst neigh
bors. The poorer class who have TO la
hor, who do not own slaves, and who
cannot pursue the same course oi lite,
either from principle Or from poverty,
are naturally held in contempt by The
slave holders, and looked upon as little
superior 10 their slaves This DESTROYS
that peace, harmony, and equality which
are necessary TO render us happy in mn
tual esteem and respect. Where this
inequality exists, and man esteemed ac
cording to his wealth and no, his merit,
il creates animosnies, jeaiousies, hatred.
Peace and concord take their hTht, and
society," becomes a perfect Bedlam.
Ali Il promoles ignorance. The &C
quirement of knewle ledge, lays that re-
straint upon lie mind, that he whose
highest ambition is 10 crafty his senses,
does moi choose 10 be under The veal
ihiesl part of community where slavery
is practsed, generally have the most i'll
fuence, because obey are more able 10
carry their designsinto execution. Hence
instead of promoting schools, seminarles
of learning, and all useful institutions,
all that they have any influence over,
are led deeper and deeper into igno-
rance. The rising generation are ne
elected, their morals contaminated, aud
they are taught by their guardians to cx-
pect happiness alcpe from the same
course which they pursue. But enough
for the present. We never could find
an end TO the variety of evil fruits that
grow On this accursed Tree.
Now my respected fellow citizens,
can such consequences as these promote
your interest. You know that it cannot,
but must have contrary effect. Sup
pose ii wonld make money plenty, (Which
is far from being the case) can money
compensate for the loss of happiness,
peace and concord, which equality, So
cial intercourse, and virtuous pursuits
alone can give. Your happiness and
bes, interests are certainly connected
for TO be interested in any thing Which
affords no happiness, is contrary TO the
laws OF nature. Is there any greater
prospect of money becoming more plen-
ty here by introducing slavery, than in
Missouri, or the other new slave states !?
/ tnink reason teaches the contrary.
1t is urged that our present oonstltu-
ton is detective, and needs amendment;
but do not think that these defects are
SO great yet as to need nending by the
curse OF slavery being brought amongst
US. Ii it does, grant that Ii must be
worse than have any idea of. But il ii
needs amendment, let US wait until after
the next census, when some OF our new
counties can have an equal ratio ofrepre-
aCbkdtiOh3 dul tuciC VIII oC botbHfE ~
risk
Iwish TO submit 10 YOU few observa-
tioas. know of none who have been
trafhekng in indentured negroes, or
charged with kidnapping, but those who
are advocates tor convention. l do
rot say that all who are advocates Tor II,
are guilty Of these, but say that all who
are guilty of these crimes want con-
vcnion, as far as my knowledge extends.
Cd. There are many who deny that
slavery is the object, ye, inquire OF them
the propriety OF calling convention I'M
der our present pecuniary eMbarass
ments, and unequal ratio of representa-
ton, and they are obliged to own it, or
their arguments become so empty and
futile, that fool could detect them.
Sd Some by their sophistry, and smooth
deceiltul art are striving to deceive the
ignorant, by telling them that the adj
mission OF slavery will put a stop to
those pests OF society, the yankees, from
overrunning our state; or that in their
own country, the poorer class Of people
are kept in worse bondage than the ne
groes in the slave states; and that in
few years q! they are not kept out by
this means, we shall have to submit to
their laws, rules, regulations, tricks, &c.
And many other scarecrows, falsehoods,
and false presentations, are they hold
ing up TO to the people, equally as ridi-