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

Conventions; q trife 1t wiH be said in
these HARD TINES, when the play is for so
great stake. We have been informed,
from what we deem good wing authority,
and which we are not disposed to dispute,
that at the public free barbecue, given on
yesterday, by this universal wing party,
six thousand pounds of fresh beet, eighty
head of sheep, and hogs, bacon hams by
hundreds, with numerous other articles of
refreshment, were furnished at an I'M
mcnse cost.
How, and by whom the means have
been furnished. 10 liquidate this great ex-
pendturc, as we have intimated already,
yet remains mystery, and probably will
so ever continue! we feel no anxiety to
unrayel the mystery Itself, and are per-
iectly content it shall remain shrouded in
the bosom of night itself, and whatever
pleasure, eXhileration and JOY, these exhi-
billions may have produced, we have no
disposition, at this time. to abstract
! from their authors, the full effects they
may have produced. We may however,
add one just remark, as peculiarly appli-
cable to this party, at this time, and that
is, that their rejoicing, from some strange
fatality, has always been the precursor of
Il coming storm, and terrible defeat.
The moral degradation of the human
character is not among the least Of the
evils to be dreaded, from the extraordinary
scenes now passing before us, more in the
character of dream than a substantial re-
atty. We cannot, however, shut our
eyes to what, for the honor of the Ameri-
can character, we had hoped had been
otherwise.
The degradation of the intellect of man
is, and always has been, one of the most
efficient means Of destroying free and re-
preventative governments; and if ever the
liberties of the people of this Republic are
to be lost, and forever destroyed, it can,
alone, be accomplished by such means as
those now in progress, where reason and
intellect are utterly disregarded, and no.
thing but the bascr passions of our nature
appealed to.
For three days has the capital Of the
State of Illinois exhibited scenes of ex-
cesses, unparalleled in the history of its
Government Decentralization has stalked
abroad, at MONDAY, with nothing to ar
rest, or stay, for even a moment, its fatal
course.
Allured by the scenes and glitter of the
"pomp and circumstance of glorious war"
in feeble imitation, many were attempted
to be deluded, amid the sounds of trump
cts and the noise of drums, and sought TO
be made the victims of the artilice of dem
agogues, with the vain hope that they
would bind themselves to the support of 2
cause and party, who dare avow no polit
ical principles or rule of action, for Its
guidance; and whose Chief is prohibited
the expression Of any opinion whatever on
questions of public interest, and even de.
barred an intercourse with many of his
fellow-citizens, except under the strict
surveillance of committee of inspection
and safety. There is among the many
circumstances which have transpired, one
which marks, with characters not to be
misunderstood, the singular and daring
efforts which these men have resorted to
for the accomplishment of their objects.
The invitation of, and attendance of
numerous delegates from the city of St
Louis. in Missouri, and the State of In.
diana, forms no small portion of the scenes
of this Convention. The introduction in.
to our State of influence foreign to it, &c
operate on and control, if not to actually
overcome, the opinions and deliberations
of our people, is spectacle so novel, un-
precedented, and repugnant to political
and personal propriety, that when first
observed its truth was doubted; but the
reality was conciUsivoly established; and
the efforts of these individuals in then
conduct and remarks, were marked by nc
peculiar delicacy of language or manner.
We trust the people of this State will duly
appreciate this effort to influence our cleo.
tons, and scorn with disdain and unmiti
gated contempt, the peculiar efforts of thi:
foreign band of intermeddling politicians
) We learn that it is attempted to be jus
tilted on the ground of returning work fol
) 'cork; and tt Sit is but to repay the whig
, of this State the political debt due by thei
brethren of st. Louis, for a similar politi
cal interference. at meeting in st. Louis
, by the Wings of this State. If we ar
t indebted to the Wings of this State for Iii