Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-04-03
From the Beardstown Chronicle.

: From the Beardstown Chronicle.
,,rJHr. Editor.-The articles in several
of the late publications relative to the
final location of the Seat Of Government
Of the State of Illinois; and also the
call for meetings of the citizens of sew
eral counties for the purpose of uniting
the vote of the north on some point.
doubtless intended TO promote the
best interest of the State. and to secure
to the citizens their rights and privie-
ges, have excited an inquiry into the
subject, and the nature of the existing
law providing for that measure. Be
fore any steps are taken to urge the
claims of places, and secure the votes
on any given point proposed, it may be
well to extend the enquiry little far
Their, and examine the law Gf law it can
be called.) and ascertain if there is not
d possibility, of losing all which may be
given for the whole number of places
designated. The law on this subject
reads thus: ''That at the next election
TO be held in the several counties of this
State, for members of the Legislature.
there shall be opened at such place of
voting a book, in which shall be return-
ed the votes of the qualified voters in
favor of the following named places, as
their choice 70, the permanent location
IT the Seat of Government of this State
after the expiration of the time prescri-
bed by the Constitution for its remain
ing at Vandalia, to wit: the Geograph-
ical Centre of the State; jacksonville,
in Morgan county; Springfield, in San
CANON county; Alton,in Madison coun,
ltv; Vandalia, in Fayctte co0n'y, and
p oria, in Peoria county. The place
or point receiving the highest humble
! Of VOTES ~tI=1ii forever hcrcnftcr rem lin
The Seat of Government for the State
Iof Illinois," Here then is IA law stating
that book shall be opened in which
shall be entered the votes Of the qualili-
r ed voters, but it does not say by whom
it shall be opened, neither is there any
method provided, nor any one or more
appointed to enter the votes. No one
will presume that judges or clerks of the
election will perform these services
By the law they are not compelled, nor
Compensation provided if services are
affared. But sopposing books should be
"pened in some few counties immediate.
ly interested, and some few should en-
ter their votes, what direction must they
5 then take? should they be returned 10
: the county clerk, or Secretary of state
, There is as nuch authority for directing
them TO the Recorders Office, or for
{. wardng them to the Warden of the
S Penitentiary, as either. But again, sup
| posing that "A packet of these vot =
should find their way to the office of the
Y Secretary of state, there is no methoc
: of canvassing there designated, nor way
laid down for their disposal. But 4
{ still more Objectionable feature of the
, act is that which gives the controlling
: power to little more than one sixth
part of the voters, thereby depriviug :
= very large majority of their rights an'
privileges, and which has a tendency II
r distract the interest of the whole State
S The subject could not be permanent,
settled on these principles. A majorit,
: of that magnitude could not submit t,
e prescriptions of this character, neithe
d would a minority of one sixth part of tn
n generous citizens of this republic re
f quIre such an ignoble surrender o
e rights.
, If in the administration OF governor
u and the passage Of laws. tine effects car
i. not be forseen, AID if the burden fall UT
/ equally on the people they have th
l. power to correct the evil. and expung
% the obnoxious parts; and this law
d which is perfect nullity OF itself, wi
doubtless receive that correction whic
Is il requires at the time prescribed by til
p Constitution. 1t NAV serve to awake
ot the people on the subject. aud dlscu
ID the questions; but there is no syste
" laid down, no direction to follow, l
p rule for action. The minds of the pc
" pie may become concentrated but Il
lie location Of the Seat of Government mu
Id he the work of a future period. IT
H. proposition for convention at Rushvil
n is well. but why coutine it to northeI
of counties? Have not the south any /
ur terest in the proposed subjects for t.
Id Consideration of that convention? "A