Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1801-1806, 1804-10-25

eSpo'cd 10 MS view and Ms purpoic was 10 pur-
iae II. Without, therefore, making aoy un-
neceiilry and oienta,ous profy ions OF his faith.
or invldious reflections upon rhe projections of
others, he dei,e'ei his opinions with iimpi-
city and csndor tnst difsrmed hoAilily while
the HIeng,h of HE arguments, aod the variety
aud sppohtenets ot his information iufenGbly
and ireltibly produced general conviction.
An empty treafuy, and diiapidaied tate OF ,h:
foances reqolted reiesrch and labor. He ap-
piled hiIuselt To- their elucidasioo, with igor
that foon dilipaled the chaos in which default
ing officer had involved them. Political attach
ment had united him 20 this officer. But with
virtue, not unworthy of the Roman fchool, he
impeached. sHd elected him from Office. For
this, there were thaie who called him cruel bur
irendihip had no claims OH him thar were not
founded in virtue.
After this bright difplay of inteerity and
talent, his enemics united with his friends to-
rate him TO the Senate OF the u. States exhib-
Sting IN tins act, rare. and amoh unprecedcnt-
cd Triumph OF principle over prejudice. Here
Ne found himtelf in the Arong hold, of ieteraiim.
That body, at that time concealed in darkneis,
had ailertsd daring irtciponGbili,y TO pubic
opinion. Gaiiaun, Imprehed with the power of
truth and Teaion, did not abandon himief TO an
ingloiious cafe. Here too. however unpromif-
ing 'he 's'e OF affairs, he did bis duty in the
Mort time during which he was a member, car
red diimay into the ranks OF his opponents. He
did not ihake the leaders Of party. bur he lhook
,hoie honeit, esfy fouls, who had hitherto up-
held their power and he furprifed no leis his
friends than his enemies by actually carrying
iome important points. IL was this alarm that
dictated his excluGon from the body. IL was
pretended thar he wss not qualified 10 hold feat;
majority declared the Pre,ence valid aud he
was excluded.
Thefe unworthy ;neafures Of hi, opponents
only ieTeds by rendering his talens more con-
tp'cuouss ~ increaie his popularity And hc
wass at the eniuing election, choicn a mcmbar
Of the Houfe Of Representatives of the Unired
States. Hc here found a field for the diiplay of
ali ms powers and he diip played them in man
ner that placed their depth and variety beyond
the reach ofque6ion. He oppofed the adoption
OF the bn''h treaty, and upheld the memorable
call tor papers ; he oppoied the alien and fcdi-
non bills; he iuppor'cd the enquiry into the
conduct OF Mr.. Adams, III the cafe ot Mr.. Joss-
f6an Robb'm; he oppoied the prodgal expendi-
torres OF the go'erpment s aud above all. he op-
poed the rain meaiures that pointed to war. On
'he'e ievcral occafon'. he wn generally unfuc.
cei;iui IN fruitIsting the mesfnrcs oppoicd by
the administration. The mott fanguinc mind
could not Halter iiielf with this triumph. BUT,
wha, was OF infinitely greater confcqaence. he
fucceeded IN awakening The public mind. In illu-
mina'ing II, & in eventually accomplishing the
great revolution achieved in public opinion.
His ipeeche' on the above great conaitu,ional
que!lions were read by the nation. In diea'n
they were perfpicuous and eafy of aps,>nenion.
in ayie temperate and exempt 90 all perionai
ai'uiion, IN argument pre,"u"d, IN TACT va'ous
and inRruttvc. AIeacked with fury by vio-
len, partizans. eager to cruih him, he on no oc-
csion fahcfed che calmneis Of his judgmcnt asd
bis refpeet for the body he addrencd. to be dii-
turbed by the fiery ebulitions of the Daytons.
the Harpcrs. and the Scdgwicks of the day. He
did not content himfelf with oppoGng the lead
ing meaiu:es of the administration like q good
citizen he gave helping hand even to his enc
mics. No man in Congrci. 70 well undcrftood
the principles OF finance, and no one was better
acquainted with the national rcfources and
wants in all their details. lie sfTiitcd the form
alton Of cofrstt plans, and expoicd erron whole
effects might have been no lcis injurious to the
reputation Of the admioifration than fatal to
the welfare OF his county. To him we arc in
utp'cu III uc SHi"hiB iyHsm tof tnc iaIc OF the
public lands. Secretary Hamilton propofed
opening the land Office on low terms. 1t is be-
cved his idea was to fell the public lands At &c
cents an acre. The effect of this plan would
have been the immediate monopoly of the pub
lie lands by few Ieviathan fpeculator,, and
fcene Of Ejaculation more extcnGvc, and of
coorfc more injurious. than ell tho prc-exiAing
iources OF fpecuIation taken together. Gsllatin
arreaed this roncntous evil by obtaining the
iantiion OF Congrefs to the prefent plan under
which the mininnm price Of land is fixed At z
dolian an acre. by comparing the prcfent fate
OF thing, with that which would have exilied
under the fyfem Of MIR. Hamilton, had il pre-
vailed, we may form an iocompeteo; idea Of the
evils that have been averted and by efima,ing
the gain derived from the iale Of Isnds for 2 doll
lars, inffead Of IS cents, We fhall perceive the
extent OF the natl nal advantage, when we re-
collect that the INDICATED territory Of the Unit
ed tfafsx ia rom ,utel rro ,Nn aor arse.