The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-12

The contagion OF the example of our OPP
ponents was TO be feared, and the perni-
cious consequences, which it was early
foreseen would mark the course of the
Wing Convention, and which has, most
unfortunately for them we think, actually
TRANSFERRED, sufficiently admonished the
Democratic State Central Committee to
take the responsibility of its pos'ponemcn,;
and in that act we see much TO approve.
We have escaped errors into which it is
possible we might have been precipitated
from example, though never to anything
like the same extent; for the Democratic
party look to reason, reflection, and intel
hgence Tor their guide; and we trust ever
will rigidly give its adherance to the die
tates of the cool and deliberate Judgment
OF It's members. In enforcing its political
principles, and maintaining its measures,
IT has no need, nor can it ever consent, to
resort to any of the appliances SO freely
and generally now used by its opponents;
and we are free to confess, that if their
cause is to be alone sustained by resort
to such miserable mumery and disgrace
full prostitution of mind and character, we
cannot hesitate to declare, that a cause
which requires the adventurous aid of
such desperate and debasing efforts, is
unworthy to be upheld, and should be
suffered 10 perish amidst its own corrup-
tons and putridity.
Fellow-citizens, who witnessed the Spec
tacles of the Sd, 18th, and 9th of June. at
Springfield, we appeal to your candor to
say if you have received any information
the Federal party have afforded you, at or
since this gorgeous celebration of Ilppe-
canoe, of the principles of the party who
now seek to deceive the people, to obtain
power and office! Have they told you
what measures, 70 benefit the people, they
will propose, and adopt, if so be they sue
coed TO power and office! Have they
even, on the score Of policy, made any
allusion to those great democratic princi-
pies of Jefferson. Madison. and Jackson,
with which Mr.. Van Buren, is so clearly
identiiied---or in any whatever shown a
devotion to them! No! But rather have
they sought to ingratiate into your conf
dence man who was an open advocate
of the heightened Federal measures of
John Adams, believing that you are so dull
and stupid as to overlook the principles of
man, by being dazzled with the glare of
military accommodating, now, amid the
noise of cannon, and of drums, and the
shouts of "Hard Cider" and ''Tippeca-
noe" the anathemas of ''war. pestiience,
and famine" denounced by Mr.. Clay on
the heads of the American people, for the
support of military chieitain-General
Jackson.
But why commingle tender youths in
the unmeaning pageant of the day, and
teach them, by the delusive scenes and
frenzy of the hour, the vices and immorali-
ties of others! Why bring them to wit
ness scenes of boisterous revelry sand
mirth, and thus inure their hearts to scenes
of dissipation, which ,twould well become
those whose charge they are, by precept
and example, to cause them to shun.
About sixty youths were drawn into the
procession TO swell up the train; and hence
we have adverted to this pernicious ex-
ample, exhibited on this OCCASION.
The exhibition, in the procession, of a
full-length portrait Of Gen. Harrison, re-
presenting him in the full vigor oflifc. did
but iorcibly remind us ofhis present condi-
ton, and bring to our minds the extraordi-
nary contrast fone represented as present
on canvass, and he who is now restricred
within the limits off space he dareno. pass.
and prohibited the exercise OF his own voil-
ton, and freedom ofspeech, on all subjects
Of a political character. We could notre-
press the natural feelings of Indignation
which animates every American heart not
lost to the consciousness of the necessity
of the preservation of the dignity of the
human mind and character, when we OBJ
served the huniliating spectacle of free
men, bowling amid shouts of 10y to the
painted image of one who seeks the suflra-
ges of the American people for the highest
office within their gift, who is prevented
from visiting them in person. because Of
the danger which would exist, that he
would incautiously expose his real opin-
ions on public questions, when thus plac-
ed in contact with his fellow-citizens.
But one step more was wanting to fill up
the measure of degradation and submits
sion. As well might those who pay this