Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1801-1806, 1803-10-20
From the NArIoxAL EcIs.

important and lnfefehing iubjcets "n'eh pa'~
ever arreited the attention OF our National Le-
gilature.-We alIaje TO the propofed amend
ment OF fhe Confitution, and the convention
for the purchafe of Loui6ana.-On both theie
fuhests the Republicans viii have TO contend
with the ardent and undivided exertions OF the
Federal Faction. The parts are already cat -
Each individual member OF the oppohtion mas
had his poA aligned TO him,--the mode OF at.
rack AMI defence has been long concerted land
every inch OF the ground will be ultimately
contefted.-To an Indifferent obierver, the rec
faance of the enemy will be rendered ludcroui-
Iy amuGng, by the rejection, that alnoa every
individual concerned, in combating either OF
thefc meafures, will be at war with his own rea-
fon, and fruggliog sgainf the force OF convic-
tion. niercenaIy troops, who are hircd 10
to take up arms agaiDa their principles and their
wines, they will move on reluctantly TO the
fccne Of action but when their ardor is routed
by the heat and tumult of the battle, they will
forget the esufe 10 which they were engaged and
their ferocity will outaride the impulfe OF their
opinions.
With refpetf to the propofrd amendment OF
the Contiturion, il cannot be doubted that eve'
ry intelligent Federsliff, conEderipg the fubjett
abffraaly, and without any reference 70 the pre-
pondcrance Of party, has the fnlleR conviction
that il would be expedient and uteful. We have
never yet heard Jingle plauiblc argument, IN
favor Of an ind'fcrimina,e vote in the choice OF
Pre6dcnt and Vice. Preiiden.. II The thing was
ever dilcuDed in the Convention which framed
the Contribution, IL mua have been recon-
mcnded BY fome fine ipuo fubtlety of reafoning,
which is at peient TAR beyond the reach of com.
prchenGon. We are more inclined TO believe.
tina, il pafcd E.b EL<rto, and was adopted with
out krious confederation of the nature aud
tendency OF the prcviiion. This may be do
ing iojgtice TO the v iidom and prudence Of that
, venerable body bu; until we have heard fome
plaofble defence of this exceptionable part Of a
aruaure. (o,herwiie approaching. to perfeetion)
we are compelled 10 retort 10 il as the mott ra-
,onal conjecture.
However the fsa may be rs 10 the origin
Of this prvifon: Whe.hert il was flently adopt
ed. or whether it was irgeniovly iupported in
theory practice, experience, rejection, and
anticipation, all confpire to convince as, that in
this eGcntial partisuiar, the Contribution calls
loudly for amendment. Of this there was no
FederaIiA who pretended to entertain doubt,
until it was neeefsry to doubt, from the hope
of defeating the wiihes Of the people, and the
dcGre OF " trsftrVi9g tbem from fbti, pvs,f ene-
mitf--tbemjtivy,"--If they can retain the pre-
ient mode Of voting, until after the next pref
dental election, they Hatter thcmfeIves they
may have apoflible chance Of placing in the
chair fome perfon whom no individual Of either
party would iclett as fuitablc candidate for the
hrfs office in the government. Convinced, a.
they are, that IL will be mere " vaxty and
uexafi's 3Jpirn," to attempt to pufh candi-
date ot their own il will he their fole Object
to thware as far AZ poiible, the views and wifh-
CO of their sdveriaries.
II they Gao iucceed in ejeeing the candi.
date feleeaed by I'll. people; il would be mat
ter Of almoa perfee indifference, to whom the
vacant chair fhould be given. While il fiaall
be filed as it now is, they would az foon az
tempt 70 fcalc the battlcmcn,s of Heaven, az 20
pais the impregnabic barrier, which ftauds be
tween them and the accomplishment of their
wi!hcs. A change which might happen by
fecrct coalefosnce with the Republicans, in IA
vor OF the candidate OF the fecond Office in the
government, would afford them a elimmerinp
hope, and relieve them from the dull detpon-
dency OF their prefent hopeless profpeet. They
have once tried the force Of intrigue & corrup-
ron. They have once dragged the nation 10
the very margin of precipice. Until III. way
fhall be clofed, they will travel in the fame
courfs, aud are ready to " ,opple down head.
long" with their country, rather than fee il prof.
Pering in the hands Of the prefent sdminiRra.
ton.
With ,heie imprefsons, we fhall fee every
Federalih at his poa, in the next leaiila,iye
campaign, consending sgsinR his own resfon
and confidence, and fupporting the prefeut mode
Of eletting the two 6rf ofscers of the govern.
ment.
Each man j, pledged to his party.-He
has entered the fa,ouary-hc has rouched the
ark Of the covensnt--and has fworn upon the
altar, in the preience Of the High Prieas of the
tabernacle. faith 10 in their cuRody and
TO exereiie the right of confidence. would be
worfe than hereby in the fight Of his leaders.
But although we may calculate on finding
the whole army of federalifis in battle array
agsinh the meafure, yet there can be little doub,
that the propofed amendment viii he accom-
plifhed. before the next Prenden,ial election.
Two thirds of both Houfes in the enfuinp Con-
grefs Gill deem il neceTary, and when /, nall be
propoied BY them. we have little doubt hut /,
will be ratified BY the Legiaatures Of three
fcurths Of the kveral States. New. Jersey,
q c.