Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1801-1806, 1802-01-30

qbs Add,e6 Of hbs Dasbs,y BoptD ADseiafiaan.
in fbe Siaifef CoanfdieDf G0Smbied O2ober
The 7tb 1901, 10 THOMAS JsfTEssoN, En-.
P,s)ident efibe United Stafe' Of Ame,iea.
SIR,
AMONG the many millions in America
and Europe, who rejoice in your election to of
fee; we embrace the fra opportunity which
we have enjoyed. in our collective capacity,
Gnce your Inauguration, to exprefs oor great
fatisfaeiion in your appointment to the Chief
Magifracy OF the United States And though
our mode ofexpreiIion may be lcfs cour,ly and
pompous, than what many Others cIoatbe their
addrenes with, we beg you, Sir, to believe that
none are more 6nceIe.
Our icntiments are uniformly on the fde
of religious libcrty--That religion is at all times
and places matter between God and indiyid-
uals--1hat no man ought to fuAer in name,
perion or effects, on account of his religious
opinions-That the Legitimate power Of civil
government extends no further than to puniih
the man who rVo,ks III TO BIZ nogbb0r. Bot.
Sir, our Contribution OF government is not fpeci-
6c. Our ancient charter, together with the laws
made under it, were adopted, as the BATS of our
government, at the time of our revolution and
fuch had been our laws, and pfages, and fuch
iti are, that religion is conGdered as the ira ob.
jeet Of legiAation /: And therefore, what relisi-
ou, privileges we enjoy (as minor part of the
State) we enjoy as favors granted, and not as
iraiienabk right and ,he!e fa1o,s we receive at
the expsncc OF fuch degrading Acknowledgements,
as are inconGltent With the rights of frcemsn.
IL is not to be wondered az, therefore, if thefe
men, who feek after t0qUfr and gam, under
the prctence OF ssuerrmesf and religion, fhould
reproach their fellow men--ihould rcproach
their Cheif MagiAra,e, as an enemy Of religion,
law and good order, becaufe he will not---does
not aiIume the prerogativcs of JEHovAH and
make laws TO govern the kingdom Of Chria.
Sir, we are fenible that the Prefdent of the
United States, is not the national legilature
and alfo feniiblc that the national government
cannot deiroy the laws Of each State; but our
hopes arc arong, that the fentiments of our be-
loved Pre6deot which have had fuch genial ef-
tett already, like the radient beams. of the fun,
will fhine and prevail through all thefe States
and all the world, till Hierarchy and tyranny
be deRroyed from the earth. Sir, when we re-
aea on your pak fervices and Zee glow Of phi
lanthropy and good will, filming forth in a
courie OF more than thirty .ysau /; we have rea.
fon to believe, that Americas God ha, raiied
you up to fill the chair of fate, out Of that good
will which he bears to the many millions which
you prc6de over. May God Rcngthcn you
for the arduous tax, which Providence and tie
voice Of the people have called you to fuitain |;
aud fupport you in your naturalization agsinft
all the predtkrmstd oppoGtion Of thofe who
with to riie to wealth and Importance, on the
poverty and fubjettion Of the people. And may
the Lord preferve you Fate from every evil, and
bring you At laa to his heavenly kingdom, thro'
efus ChriR our glorious MeiiatoY.
Siysslm btbalf Of tbe dpSeistie-.
NEHEMIAH EoDGE,
EPHRAlM ROBBINS, Committed.
STEPHEN S. NELSON.
PRESIDENT, REPLY.
r. M.1r. Nstsmiab Dodge. Etbrsi~ Rsb5in,
Shpbes s. NsjSs, a Cemmhhs sffbe Daxis,y
BsfiY .i0seiHsss is TIE Sssfs sfCssss6iexi.
GtwrLEMBN,
THE sf.ttionate fentimenss Of eAeem and
appreciation which you arc 70 good as to exprefs