Edwardsville Spectator

To the Electors of Madison County.

FELLOW CITIZENS,

As it has been well understood for months past throughout this county, that I have consented, if elected, to serve in the next legislature, it is not so much my object in this address to offer myself to you as a candidate, as to detect the false reports which have been put in circulation concerning me. It will no doubt be recollected by many, that at and previous to the election in 1818, my enemies, in order to defeat my election, reported, with other things equally false, that I had proposed to the board of trustees of Ebenezer School Society, at a time when the board were convened for the purpose of framing a constitution for the government of that body, to incorporate into that instrument an article prohibiting the children of religious parents from associating with the children of the irreligious. Although I do believe that no one who knew me ever thought me capable of so illiberal or contracted a sentiment, yet with many worthy citizens who never knew me, it had its weight and influence, greatly to my prejudice. The only means in my power at that time to refute it, was to refer as many as spoke to me on the subject, to the board of trustees, the only persons with whom I transacted any business relative to the school. After the election was over, I treated the report, its authors and retailers, alike with silent contempt, as beneath my notice or consideration, little expecting that at the very eve of the approaching election I should be called on to wrest from the hand of the unprincipled defamer my bleeding character, smitten and lacerated by the wilful and malicious liar. Quite overreached in my expectation, my insidious enemies, at this late stage of the business, have recommenced their operations upon an unsuspecting public,--particularly in the back settlements of the county, and with reanimated zeal have republished, with some additions, the same nefarious reports; all of which I solemnly declare to be false and without so much as the shadow of foundation. I challenge the world to produce proof against me. If any yet entertain doubts on the subject, I refer them to the Rev. Josias Randle, Capt. Abraham Prickett, and Mr. Benjamin Stedman, who are my witnesses, and who, with myself, and Major John M'Kee, (now at rest,) composed the board of trustees. But my persecutors, like blood-hounds still intent upon their prey, and doubtful of success in the efforts they had made in their first attempt to destroy me, have set to work another engine by which they hope to hurl me into a vortex of disappointment by a final defeat, intending so to ply the new machine as to make it perform a double operation. With a necromantic gravity they now tell the people, especially those on the frontiers, that Otwell was popular a few weeks ago, and would undoubtedly be elected if he had not united his interest with Churchill. Had those political gamesters stopped here, I should have passed them by unnoticed ; but they have added; that Churchill and myself have put our heads together, to put down, (as they phrase it,) or, in other words, united to defeat the election of Capt. Nathaniel Buckmaster: all of which are as false as if they had stated that myself and all the other candidates were men of the first talents. Although I never thought it any disparagement to me to be associated with a gentleman of Mr. George Churchill's talents and standing in society, yet I do solemnly declare that there never was any kind of league or bargain between myself and Mr. Churchill against Capt. Buckmaster, or any other candidate whatever. That man does not exist by whom such a charge can be established. However painful it may be to one inured to peace and quietude, to be dragged out on the public stage, and that by the most base among men, and refuse of mankind, yet I feel it a duty I owe to myself, as well as my friends, thus to acquit myself before an impartial public of those malicious and base charges brought against me by my enemies and false friends.

Now, fellow citizens, it will, I presume, be sufficient for me to observe, that if the man of your choice, I pledge myself that my best abilities shall be exerted in behalf of the public weal.

On the subject of a division of the county, I need not say much, My residence and situation puts it beyond a doubt, that I am opposed, from interest as well as principle, to any division of this county, except on the north; and with regard to a new county, or to new counties, north of Madison, I think whenever the people residing in those sections of the county shall petition for them, they ought to be granted.

WILLIAM OTWELL.

July 24, 1820.