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Editorial
March 15, 1823
Edwardsville Spectator
Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois
What is this article about?
The Edwardsville Spectator editorial criticizes Mr. Berry's denial that introducing slavery was the primary aim of the Illinois constitutional convention, accusing him of deceiving the public and asserting it was the main object from the start, concealed when it faltered.
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SPECTATOR.
EDWARDSVILLE, MARCH 15, 1823.
We insert to-day the reply of Mr. Berry to the editorial remarks of his late partner, animadverting upon certain proceedings of the legislature; and the address of Mr. Brown, on relinquishing his interest in the Illinois Intelligencer. With respect to the former of these publications, we will at this time, only advert to that part wherein the writer considers slavery as "wholly unconnected with the subject of a convention," and that it "has been lugged in by the minority as a bug-bear," &c.
A man who will, under the signature of his own proper name, assert and publish, for truth, that which ninety-nine out of a hundred of his readers know to be untrue, it would seem, can have but little regard either for his personal or professional reputation, or respect for the good sense and understanding of the community. How far Mr. Berry has thus committed himself, every citizen of common information can determine—and one would suppose that a Printer and member of the legislature, ought to be a man of common information. Such a bare-faced attempt "to deceive the people," can excite in them no other sensation but disgust. Where is the person, excepting Mr. Berry, who will not say, what he knows to be true, that at the commencement of the convention fever about twelve months ago, the introduction of slavery into the state was the main, if not the sole object? Was any other object avowed until it was found that the question could not be carried, unless the real design should be concealed, and others, more plausible, proposed?
EDWARDSVILLE, MARCH 15, 1823.
We insert to-day the reply of Mr. Berry to the editorial remarks of his late partner, animadverting upon certain proceedings of the legislature; and the address of Mr. Brown, on relinquishing his interest in the Illinois Intelligencer. With respect to the former of these publications, we will at this time, only advert to that part wherein the writer considers slavery as "wholly unconnected with the subject of a convention," and that it "has been lugged in by the minority as a bug-bear," &c.
A man who will, under the signature of his own proper name, assert and publish, for truth, that which ninety-nine out of a hundred of his readers know to be untrue, it would seem, can have but little regard either for his personal or professional reputation, or respect for the good sense and understanding of the community. How far Mr. Berry has thus committed himself, every citizen of common information can determine—and one would suppose that a Printer and member of the legislature, ought to be a man of common information. Such a bare-faced attempt "to deceive the people," can excite in them no other sensation but disgust. Where is the person, excepting Mr. Berry, who will not say, what he knows to be true, that at the commencement of the convention fever about twelve months ago, the introduction of slavery into the state was the main, if not the sole object? Was any other object avowed until it was found that the question could not be carried, unless the real design should be concealed, and others, more plausible, proposed?
What sub-type of article is it?
Slavery Abolition
Constitutional
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Slavery Introduction
Constitutional Convention
Legislative Deception
Illinois Politics
Convention Fever
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Berry
Mr. Brown
Illinois Legislature
Minority
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of Denial That Slavery Introduction Was The Aim Of The Constitutional Convention
Stance / Tone
Strongly Accusatory Of Deception And Pro Slavery Motives
Key Figures
Mr. Berry
Mr. Brown
Illinois Legislature
Minority
Key Arguments
Slavery Was The Main Object Of The Convention From The Start
Berry's Claim That Slavery Is Unconnected Is Untrue And Known To Most Readers
Berry Shows Disregard For Reputation By Publishing Falsehoods
Attempt To Deceive The People Excites Disgust
Other Convention Objects Were Proposed Only To Conceal The Pro Slavery Design When It Faltered