Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1801-1806, 1803-02-26
F,sm rte (Nssp Jsy1) J frre Amsriean.
80 q-HE FRIENDS.--Ns. a. .
MNs. P,ia,t,i,

MY'Js. P,ia,sr,
INA few lines wrote you the lat week.
l. l expre0ed my iufpnze that Frlend,, who
profeh ioch pesceful and benevolent ptinciples
who practice fuch indunIy and economy
fhould iupport meslares OF John Adsms, lately
Pretdent OF these United States, aud approve of
his rafting armies Of folders 70 live in laxinels
on the lsbors Of the indsariout citzcns--of his
building navy five times as large as IVES necef-
iary, OF his erecting van and oofly bulldogs
for barracks. fuch as ,hofe on the hank of
Schnylkil without any order from Coneref, tor
10 doing of his borrowing 70 many millions Of
money. and giving eight per ceut. inserea for
u. when he might have got enough tor Gx per
cent OF his 'ncieahng the public debt feyeiai
millions OF dollars, sliho' OUT 6nanees wete pro-
duetive, and al,ho' he laid new taxes on our
earrisgea that we ufed 20 ride 20 meeting in, on
the houfes we had bsilt or rented 10 live 10, ON
the lands we labor on fot fubGaence, on the pa
per we wanted 20 write our COMMON obligations
on, and on many other things tina, were not
taxed while Geo. Walhioeton was P,eGdent,
and are no, now Thomas Jeasrfoo 10. fay.
was furpriled tha, Frsnds could approve iuch
mesinres a, the foregoing. and uphold the men
who adopted them. And equally iorpized that
Friends Mould lend their hands to aiIia am
bilious and bad men 10 pulling down or oppoGng
the administration OF Thomas Jeifcrfon, who is
theyery man thar fra drew and got the Lcgif-
laturc OF Virginia TO psfs a law, fecuiing TO
Friends the free and peaccabc eyeIciie OF their
religious opinions, Shois principles and copdott
have always been condnent with thofr of
Friends, and who, Gnce the People of ,he u
nited States elected hin their Prehdent, has pre-.
frrved peace abroad and tranquility at home,
has taken off many burthcnfomc taxes, has re-
duced the public debt icveral millions Of dolan,
and yet has now in the tresfsry tour millions
and q bait Of dollars. The only way in which
could account Tor the condact OF Friends was,
thar they had not taken much pains to examine
public affairs for themielvcs, and had been de-
ceived by lying fpirit, and though, they were
right in what they did. II this 10 the cafe, L
done doubt when they diicover the error Of
their way they will forfaks il. And think
the light OF trnth NUT ioon ihine on their minds.
Il cannot believe they will be long left 10 their
pIeienf m'Aske. tuR the time IL not far
diiiant when they will eonlsk that the mesfores
ct Ohm Adams we're not for the good of the
country or the happinefs Of the people. and ac-
knowledge that Thomas Jeferfon Is one of the
gfeatca Rsteirpen, and one OF the bea men. that
ever hvcd.-l donr pretend to he gifted with
the fpirit OF prophecy, bot ihofe who live few
years will fee my prediction come to pals
Friends in other fates arc fan becomine what
are called Republicans. In Pcopfylvania, they
are almoa all of this defcription, as may bk
known from thin fact, that only or OF the
whole number Of Members Of the prefent
LeeilMore Of that rate arc what sfe called
Fede'Al--cvefy one Of their eighteen Rrprefenta-
tives to Congrefi, lately elefaed. are Rcpob-
licacs--and their Republican Governor Thomas
M'Kean was re. elected by majority Of more
than thirty thoofsnd votes. Thefe things nhe~,
tha, in PcnnfyIvsnia the Friends are mofly Re-
publicaDs. The Public Friends, who, in
imitation Of their divine Maaer, 20 about doing
good, tho they generally avoid meddiing much
in political matters, are with but one or two
exceptions, that / know Of, all Republicans.
And 70, am firmly perIuaded, will the mofi of
Friends and all other good men be, In Mort pc
riod Of time.
Friends have always been remarkable for
their quiet, orderly behaviour, and for their
cheerful fuppor Of ths Government under which
they lived. When thefe States declaied them-
felves independent, many Friends adhered to the
Mother country from confcientious perfuaGon
that they ought nor to sfiA in polling down and
fet'ing up governments. When the pfefent
federal Contribution was adopted and put ia
operation. Friends were well pleafed With il.
and cheerfuIly foppor,ed George Wilmington in
sdmiojfering il. When John Adams was
chofen Pfeident, Ffiends fil thooghl il their
duty 20 foppoff the Government, although they
could nor approve Of lis cxpeoGye and warlike
meafures. How then can fbsy now oppofc
Government, when Thomas Jefferfon admiraen
Il upon thofe very peaceful and frugal principles
which Friends prosefs TO love & att upon 10 pri-
vaie life Will Friend, nov become oppofen Of
Government and siIia in creating dGsiisfstiion
and unes6neh Will they content 20 be the
tools of de6rping men, who arc lsboring to
overthrow the prefent government. 10 order TO
form one to foit themfelvcs, in which the People
fhsII be nothing bar heven of wood and draw
era of uates an a Ecu. ..ch and .,osuesfnl nnhIea