Edwardsville Spectator

OPINION ABROAD.

From the Essex (Mass.) Register

EXTENSION OF SLAVERY.

It is with pain and regret we have for some time perceived, by the papers from the state of Illinois, the constitution of which prohibits Slavery, that a strong and active party exists there, who are determined if possible, to extend this curse of our country into that State. For this purpose, they are clamorous for calling a Convention, to expunge the prohibition from their constitution. The proceedings of the Slave party are extremely violent, and even outrageous; and they appear resolved to effect their object, at all hazards. The Legislature, during the discussion of the question of calling a Convention, resorted to the most extraordinary means to secure the requisite majority. A Mr. Hansen, a young lawyer who emigrated from New York, had been returned a member, and his election being contested, the House decided that he was entitled to his seat. But ten weeks afterwards, when Mr. Hansen dared to vote against the resolution for calling a Convention, the House re-considered its former decision, and admitted Mr. Shaw, his opponent, to the seat, who voted for the resolution, and it was accordingly passed by a constitutional majority! A disgraceful scene took place during the pendency of the resolution for expelling Mr. Hansen. A mob assembled in the evening, at the State House, and after numerous speeches had been delivered, inflaming the minds of the people against Mr. Hansen, they proceeded through the town with his effigy in a blaze, accompanied by drums and bugles, and crying "Convention or Death!" They then proceeded to the lodgings of Mr. Churchill, another proscribed member, and insulted him by groans, &c. They then dispersed, after giving three cheers for a Convention. The next night, after it was found Hansen had been expelled, and the question decided in favor of a Convention, the town was illuminated and the mob again proceeded through the streets, with drums, fiddles, bugles, tin horns, cow-bells, &c. rejoicing in the most boisterous manner. They were accompanied by several members of the Legislature, and numerous strangers from the adjoining Slave States.

Great excitement prevails on this subject throughout the State; the papers are filled with discussions on the question, and we are glad to perceive that some of them oppose with great ability and boldness the projects of the friends of Slavery. The Governor is opposed to a Convention, and it is asserted that a majority of the people are unfriendly to the scheme, and it will be a happy circumstance for that state, as well as for the Union, should they check the nefarious designs of the friends of Slavery.

Several public Dinners have been given by the latter in honor of a Convention, and we select a few of their toasts, to show the spirit by which they are actuated.

By the President of the day—The Convention—The means of introducing and spreading the African family—3 cheers.

"The enemies of the Convention—May they ride a porcupine saddle, on a hard trotting horse, a long journey, without money or friends."

"May those individuals who are opposed to our cause, before the next election abandon the State of Illinois and then we will have a free silver circulation, combined with a numerous black population."

The State of Illinois—The ground is good—prairies in abundance—give us plenty of negroes, a little industry, and She will distribute her treasures.

Slavery—A political hobby-horse, which some of our great men have loved to saddle. 6 cheers—Go to the D—l and shake yourself.

From the Woodstock (Vt.) Observer.

SLAVERY.

The hope of seeing slavery banished from the United States, if it ever existed, is now fast fading away. The Legislature of Illinois have, after a hard struggle, recommended the call of a convention to take into consideration the propriety of altering the constitution of that state so as to admit of slavery. It has been suggested that a similar attempt would be made in other states, and the prospect is that the number of slaves in the Union will increase rather than diminish. The subject is of a nature too aggravating to the feelings of humanity to pass unnoticed—and yet comment upon it is useless at this time. It is probable that had Congress turned the Missouri constitution out of doors, there would have been an end of the spread of slavery over new territories; but the issue of that question encouraged the friends of slavery and our country must abide the consequence; for consequences of a serious nature will in all human probability follow this unhallowed invasion of the rights of man.

From the Ohio Interior Gazette.

In this era of strange things, the people of Illinois are going to take a vote, at their next election, upon altering their constitution, with a view to introduce slavery into the state. From our limited acquaintance with the character of the population of that state, we can form no opinion of how it will terminate. But it is composed, probably, of emigrants from the slave states, in a much greater