Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-07-28
FOR THE SPECTATOR.
STATE INTERESTS.
MeSSrs. Editors,


MeSsrs. Editors,
We often now hear the question asked,
What has Congress done for our state /?
aud II Is an inquiry interesting to every
clizen. Ii our representative should do
an act directly lmpugning the welfare
and prosperity oil ourscctioD OF the union,
or ii he should omi' duty called Tor by
the Interests oil his constituents we
would with one voice pronounce II wor-
thy OF exemplary censure.
That internal improvement, by means
oil roads and canals, is one OF the great
means to forward our individual and
state interests, Is most apparent; and
enlightened men in our state councils,
and In the councils OF the nation, have
sought the attainment OF these objects
with industry and diligence; but owing
TO an opposition in the national councils,
in direct hostility to our dearest and most
TO be valued interes,s--have failed in
their attaInment.
trust | need not urge to an enligh-
tened community, that any man or men
amongst US, who prefer the personal
advancement OF any individual, however
eminent and deserving, 10 the advance
ment and welfare OF our state, scarcely
deserves the name oil citizen: man
that should comprehend all that belongs
TO devotedneSs and attachment TO coun-
try. How lbcn shall we be most likely
to promote the interests OF our state 10
selecting our only representative in Con-
gress Shall we send to the COUNCILS o!
the nation one already high III the conf
dence OF tie government, dlSing uished
alike by the tribute oil his political oppo-
nenIs, as well as those agreeing IN senu-
ment, who, but for an opposition which !
Shall by and by name, would have attain
ed al the last session tue accomplish
ment OF a measure, vitality connected
with our growth and improvement? OF
shall We send one to add another to the
ranks OF opposition to our direct inle-
rests In short, will those who are in
The habit OF comp aining at the scanu-
ness oil the tavors granted our state, SEND
one opposed 10 the administration,, to OK
tort those favors? Let US look at this
concern in plain .common sense way
! |! we send such an one TO Io!D 10 the
ranks OF opposition, to thwart the govern
ment by all means lawful or unlawful,
what can we expect, buta cole, reluctant
yielding to our requests, or their total
rejection How much better the frank
generous attention, which flows IRON
harmonious councils, ana united inca.
sures.
Those who have noticed the progress
of things at Washington have found
the parlisans snd supporters OF Genera
Jackson, acting in position directly
hostile to the interests OF this state
Shall be asked for an example; let ii
be found in the vote OF the Senate OIL
Mr.. Thomas canal bill, wherein those
opposing the administration voted to a
man agains, it, and among them are
found the champions OF Gen. Jackson :
let it be found in the casting vote oil
the Vice President Calhoun by which
the bill was lost.--We here see men in
fluenced by personal preference, set
ting it in opposition TO what we value
more than the personal advancement of
any indiyidual- Let those among US
who are supporting the same influence
inquire, whether by their own suicidal
excrlions, they are willing to keep this
state in its present low condition. Shall
be asked for further proof! Let it be
found 10 the debates in the lower house
on the bill there introduced 10 aid this
state in the canal, in which the same
politicians opposed every obstacle to its
passage witness the Pennsylvania de-
legation, who, 10 promote the advance
ment Of the same personage, could go
against the measure, although in perfect
consonance with all their former acts,
when such a principle was involved !!
Let me not here be understood as asking
for servile devotion to any man, or SCI
OF men; it is that very devotion which
suspends and withholds from this state
the enjoyment Of those natural adyanla-
ges which God has given US to be i'm
proved,