Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-06-24
CIRCULAR.
To the Toters of Du Buque county


FELLow-C1T1zENs--My name is be-
fore you as candidate to fill the va
cancy which has occurred in the lower
branch of the General Assembly ofthis
Territory. was induced to become
a candidate from the repeated soiicita-
tons of many of the most respectable
citizens Of all parts of the county. 1
regret that the time given by the Co.
vernon in his Proclamation, is so short
that it will preclude me from making
known to you my views and opinions
on the different subjects in which you
are interested, so fully as should wish.
This ! regret more, as the crisis is an
one: one in which the inter-
est and future prosperity Of this Terri
tory is deeply interested; and on pro-
per legislation, will materially depend
our future growth and prosperity.
l have no personal claims to urge for
your consideration, but permit me to
say, that during my residence in this
county-and l was one of the first set
tiers in the south part ofit-l have not
only identified my interest with yours
by investing what means l had in i'm
proving the country, but l have devo-
ted much of my time in ascertaining
the local and natural advantages Of the
western part Of the Territory, in the
prosperity of which, l feel a deep and
abiding interest.
In the fall Of 1886, the citizens Of
the south part ofthis county placed M
name before you as candidate, and
although ! did not then succeed, l had
good cause to feel flattered at the result,
for in the section of country where l
reside, l received unanimous vote,
there not being single vote given a.
gainst me. Permit me here to express
the obligations l feel myself under to
my fcllow-citizens for their confidence
on that occasion, and my cordial thanks
for the kindness and hospitality with
which l have been received and treat
ed in every part of the county.
I wish to be considered candidate
of the people Of Du Buque county, and
not Of any particular section of it, and
if elected, | shall enter your Legisla-
tive Halls, unbiased by sectional pre-
|judice or party spirit.
7 l hold to the doctrine of instruction.
The representative is but the organ OF
his constituents, and their Instructions
ought to be to him the Supreme law.
And in all matters of policy shall feel
myself bound to obey the implied or
expressed will of my constituents, and
in constitutional questions, should
differ in opinion from them, shall
cheerfully resign my seat, rather than
disregard their will.
The subject of the division of the
county will be one Of difficulty and re-
sponsibility, and l, ifa member of the
Legislative Assembly, will be govern
ed by the wish of a majority of the peo-
pie. / would here say that am in fa-
vor Of ia subdivision, and that the con-
venience of the inhabitants in the diff
ferent sections of the county ought to
be consulted.
am in favor of judicious system
Of Internal lmprovements-but l am
opposed to expressing the people with
heavy taxation.
j am in favor of thorough and .ge-
neral revision of our laws, or the adop-
ton of new code. know from ex-
perience, that the laws by which we
are now governed are not adapted to
our situation and condition, and ! con-
slider them inadequate to protect the
citizen in his liberty and property.
:. / am opposed to imprisonment for
] debt, and believe thatit should be strick-
en- from the municipal code Of every
civilized nation.
am in favor Of well regulated sys-
tenn of Common Schools. This is 2
subject Of vital importance. Upon the
! intelligence Of a people depends the
good order of society, and the practi-
cability Of our republican form Of gov
eminent. Popular ignorance is can
Ger upon the vitals Of a self-goyerning
community. 1t is moral epidemic
which, If suffered to advance, will
spread its ravages over the entire sur
face of society.
j My limits here preclude me from
entering into the details of plan OF
Common School, but should ! be hon
ored with seat in the Legislative As
sembly, ] pledge myselfto use my ut,
most exertions to establish system OF
Common Schools, in which every child
4 in the Territory, cve,a the DOOresk, may