Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-07-13

VIC tI5Ht vi ouhtd 6c W iice people Oh
color and men have not been wanting
base enough to assert, and to publish,
that | presented bill for that pur-
pose!
Another accusation against me, is, that
| promised to vote for the convention
resolution, if instructed by certain
number of voters, and afterwards failed
to do So AS great stress is placed on
this accusation, by my opponents, trust
| shall be excused for paying particular
attention 10 it.
The right of the people to instruct
! their Representatives, is established by
the constitution; and this right, in my
opinion, necessarily implies that it is the
duty OF the representative to obey the
will of a majority of his constituents,
when that will has been fairly and cor
rectly ascertained. II would, | think, be
absurd 10 suppose that the constitution
secured the right of instruction to the
people, without intending that their ill.,
structlons should be obeyed by their re-
personalities. | am sensible that some
difference Of opinion exists as to the pro-
priety of the right of instruction; bu,
that it is a principle clearly established
by the constitution, is, believe, univer-
sally admitted. And as every member
was sworn 10 support the constitution, il
follows that no one had right to dsre-
gard the obvious and well-known will of
majority OF his constituents.
Knowing my sentiments on this SUBJ
Ject, Mr.. Goats, who, il since appears,
was in the employ Of the convention par
ty, came to me and inquired if was
willing to obey the instructions of my
constituents | replied that | was al
ways willing TO obey the instructions OF
praJority OF my constituents; but that
had no idea that majority OF them wish
ed me to vote for the convention. At
previous elections, Madison county had
gwen large najorlties aga.ast any caudi-
dates Woo were supposed TO De in favor
OF slavery. The Information which |
frequently received from home, assured
me that large majority of the people
vas against contention; and the Sc
nator from this county had communicate
ed to me part of letter from gentle
man decidedly in favor of convention,
in which he gave it as his opinion that
majority OF the people of this county was
opposed to that measure. These CIR
cumstances satisfied me, that, while, in
voting against convention, | acted ac-
cordlng TO my own principles, | was also
acting IN accordance with the wishes Of
large majority OF my constituents.
Mr.. Coats, however, coa'anaed that a
majority of the people Of this county vas
IN favor OF the convention, aud mentioned
the names of several gentlemen as friend
ly to the measure, who was well assur-
cd were opposed to it. Upable to con-
vince me Of the correctness Of his state
ments, he desired to know how many
voters would be necessary to instruct me.
replied as before that | felt bound To
obey a majority. A difference of opinion
then arose as to The number necessary
to constitute majority; and,aiter much
Importantly on the part of Mr.. Goats, il
was finally agreed that instructions sign
ed by" 3oA qualified uoters that potea in
Madison countp at The last elections"
should be considered as evidence of the
will OF the majority. Such, in substance,
was the promise, as proved by the oath
OF MIR. Charles Slade, decided conven-
ZIONIST. Ii was not supposed that this
number yUUstituteJ a ,raIv,ity OF tho w
ters; but ltwas thought to be as difficult
10 obtain that number Of signers from
that particular class, as to obtain the sig
natures OF majority of the citizens. Ii
was also considered that, by conGnlng the
promise to such as had voted in the coun-
ty al the last election, any doubts respect
ing the qualifications of the signers
might be more readily removed, as =
Poll-books would show who did, and who
did not, vote in this county at the last
election.
But alter the most unprecedented ex-
ertlons-after resor,ing to the most un.
warrantable receptions, and viIest frauds,
the friends of the convention could not
gettheir Instructions signed by more than
about one hay OF the requisite number
Of voters who voted in this county at the
last election. AS | had predicted, they
totally failed to Perform the condition on
which my Promise zvas made, For
proof OF this, refer to the instructions
now in the hands of the
leaders Of the convention party, who OBJ
tanned possession of them in a manner
not very honorable. II they did procure
the requisite number of signatures from
among those who voted in this county at
the last election, there can be no diff
ElCultV in proving it, A comnarison of