Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-07-14
10 the Voters Of the State Of
ILLINOIS.
FELLOW CITIZENS,

When l " as hrSt announced as
candidate for the Office OF Lieutenant.
Governor OF tins SAFE, did lntend thai
my pretensions should be examined and
Judged OF by you, without having re-
course 10 newspaper or handful publ
cations; but | am called upon by the
sacredness of private character, by duty
to my family, my friends, and the pubic
generally, to meet aud reiule the lou
aspersions attempted TO be cast on my
reputation by one Jacob Earnest, in his
publication in the Illinois ln,ellig cncer,
'ot July Oh, 1926.
The objects OF such foul and grossly
ung snllemaniy assaults, on the character
OF an individual who asks your suHrages,
are generally well enough understood;
and when made at the time, and under
the circumstances that Earnest has Sc
iected to sally forth VITA his growing
productions, never TAIL to fix the stigma
on the malignant author oil III founded
SANDER. J cob Earnest's whole episue IS
clearly marked with personal lnvective,
and strong desire to sully my reputa-
ton; and TO prove that he has exeried
min, self TO do this, even at the expense
OF truth, and that he led and probably
deceived by his counseilors) has unjust
~ attempted to iDIure my reputation, are
my only inducements tor addressing you
at this time. To those who know me,
have nothing to soy. | am wiling thai
their knowledge of my conduct and
character should govern them in their
opinion OF me. Yet there are many dal-
~ taking up their abode within tbs state,
who nigh, be induced TO believe jacob
conlradic,ed BY me. lfmy humble walk
through life could have made me per-
sonally acquainted with all, | certainly
would have treated Mr.. Earncst's publ
cation with its mcrited contemp: and
indeed, | should have done so at all
events, il were not satisfied that certain
OF my political enemies are touching the
chords behind the scene; gentlemen, too,
who aspire to high Offices within your
gift, and who know ! could not, when en-
trusted with the peoples interest, be
commanded to tho right about al their
pleasure, have taken great pains to have
Mr.. Earnesl's philippick published;
men who are endeavoring, secretly, TO
crush me, for no other reason than
a clear and unequivocai determination on
my part to adhere to your interest, re-
CARELESS ofthe watch-word of party poll
ticIans. And in this independent course,
/ trust | shall ever continue.
1t is not my intention to be tedious. l
shall submit the proofs without com
ment, and let candid people Judge. II
| do not establish facts, that, taken in con.
nection with Mr. Earnest's publication,
appear truly wonderful, admit am
unworthy OF your support. Therefore,
! submit plain, unvarnished statement
of truths -
In the year 1919, bought of Jacob Earnest
two quarter sections of land, one of which had
only one nsiament paid on it, and the other
paid out for, with small farm on the same ;
and for which gave him fifteen hundred dol.
lars, in the State Bank of Georgia and North
Carolina Bank paper; but Mr. Earnest would
not agree to take the said paper of me, as it
was at that time not Land Office money in this
state, without he, Earnest, could loan the said
paper to VIM. Kinney as good money, or for
good money to be paid TO him again in return ;
and accordingly went with him, and VIM.
Kinney agreed to take the aforesaid paper OF
him in that way, and Mr.. Earnest then took the
money from me, and let Mr.. Kinney have one
thousand dollars OF the same.
! JOHN HART.
| June z, 1926.
! do hereby certify, that on or about the 14th
! nTn L \