Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-06-30
TO THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS.

eulogium upon the talents and conduct
OF Mr., Cook, remarks, "what guaranty
have we that the successor oil Mr.. Cook
will pursue the same magDanlmous Ii.
beral course that he has done lie may
became violent party man, &c. or he
may with the best intentions be lnsuth.
cleut, land therefore useless Should Gen.
Duncan be the successor OF Mr.. Cook,
we ieel happy IN the conviction thai tho
apprehension OF the writer will prove
unlounded. His public and priva,e NE
has been marked by the most unwayer-
ing rcctitude, and the love OF his coun.
try has ever held high and commend
ing influence over his conduct; and to
promote her interest or her glory, lie has
been from early youth ever reauy, when
she demanded his AID, 10 consecrale his
time, his talents, his lie rseii, TO her
service. And that he had aimed al tho
public good in opposition to ali iacnous
views, and been solicitous 10 preserve
/ pure the sources OF Legislation aud of
! Justice, his whole course IN the Sena,e
OF the Safe has demonstrated. The
writer above men ioned, seems TO
think it would be very ungraleMl IN
the people not TO vote for MIR. Cook.
Before we concur in that opinion, we
should lmparlalIy examine Inc claims
of these TWO gentlemen. MIR. Cook
came to this state about the TIME or a
little before Duncan; he has filled some
office oil honor or emolument ever since,
with what fidelity lei the people defer
mine. And do we owe nothing 10 the
man who Al the tender age of seventeen
entered our army, and endured through
the whole OF the war The perils and prI-
| vaions attendant upon the defence Of
our frontier And ii is we'll known that
there was no officer CT his age and rank
more distinguished Tor valor in an en-
sagement, or Tor patent endurance Of
fatigue in the long aud often forced
| marches our troops were compelled 10
make, through marshy and rigorous
countries. When a council of war was
held upon Gen. Harrison's order to burn
and evacuete the tori OF Ssndusky, Dun
| can was the youngest officer, aud by The
usages CT war was required to give his
vote iirs', which be promptly did in Ia.
Vor oil remaining and defending the place,
(Which contained many sick and wound
ed, whom they could no, take along with
thesp,) to the last extremity. And thus
did this intle band Of gallant soldiers
determine upon coping with a lorce at
least twenty TO one their superior. In
the official account OF the battle, Duncan
received high praise, with the rest Of
the officers and soldiers. (See the his
tory oil the war; Since his residence
in this state, lie has held some Of
the inferior Offices IN the militia, and
now has command of the lst division,
which is an expense to INN OF from it}y
10 So"onty hvo dollars per ahnum, ard
the loss OF much time. This duty be
performs annually, and the officers and
soldiers under his command can testify
1t he has not done ii faithfully. In tho
Senate OF the state, no man could COM
mand more respect. Mild, but firm, in
any collision OF sentiment, tho ground he
occupies he honestly maintains. And
by examining the laws and journals of
| Congress and of this State, you will find
that in two years, Duncan has introduce
| ed more laws than Mr. Cook has in Sc
ven years in Congress. He speaks but
little, but the exposition of hi. views on
all subjects, Is clear and perspicuous,
| and in DO instance with him has the pub
| lie good been made subordinate TO pri-
vate or individual interest.
The different States of the Union,
have manifested great pride in acknow-
lodging the valor of their citizens, and
have sought with patriotic zeal to re-
! ward with civil Offices such as had dis
tinguished themselves in defence of their
country. Are we not then justified in
doing so, when we reflect that in addi-
ton TO Gen. Duncan's military services,
he is, in every other respect, qualified
for the station 10 which he aspires. Pos
sessed of a judgment clear, cool, and
decisive, profoundly acquainted with the
civil policy of our government, with
moral perception too just 10 be warped
by any hopes or promises of personal
ggrandizement 10 violate the privileges
OF his country, or the expressed wishes
OF the people, in whom is wisely placed
the power of Instruction, Duncan has
never played upon the honest creduity
OF the people; he has never deceived
them even for the first time. MIR. Cook
has done so, and the people will remem-
Der that the beginnings of political apos-
lacy are like the letting loose Of food
Ii wears for itself wider and a wider