The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-03-29

10 Save the honour q pTOtSCt u1SitVS'SS'o
of tie nation; and when this is done, l
will readily pay them the tribute Of super
iour wisdom, and unite with them with
the most fervent devotion.
The reoslution before you, sir, IS not
the one of my choice, nor the one by
which l could wish that my responsibility
could be tested. 1t is the offspring OF
Cancellation and of great concession on my
part. feel, sir, in common with my
fellow citizens, great repugnance to
war. think the dreadful resort should
only be made in case of self.detepce. l
protest against war merely for the pur-
pose ofconquest, or aggandizemept, but
in my opinion, war is amply justified by
the existing crisis.
In my Judgment, if the publick senti-
ment could be broughtto support them,
wisdom would dictate the combined,
measures of embargo, non intercourse
and war. have no doubt but that their
combined influence would be the most
efhcacious in meeting and subduing the
crisis /; but, sir, very few gentlemen, ]
believe, have brought their minds up 10
this state of urgency ; and perhaps, in
the present state of the pubiick mind dis
tracted and drawn by various delusions,
as it is from the real source of our inju-
rics, the experiment might be deemed a
rash one even if il would be obtainet. l
have, however, sir, much confidence i'll the
good sense and patriotism of the people,
and in the efficacy OF these measures, that
| will briefly state their probable effects
for the consideration of the people, and |
am the more disposed to do so, because
lbelieve the time is not past, but is fast
approaching, when the whole energy ofthe
nation must be called forth, to save what
we have left of our honour, independence
and dearests interests. These would be
the obvious effects of the combinded in
fuence ofthe measures suggeste d. En-,
bargo would deprive our real enemy OF
many of our productions, which believe
to be indispensable to his prosperity in
many respects. Non Intercourse would
deprive him of our market for his surplus
manufactures, AN operation not less injur-
ious to him than the other, whilst war
could be made to retort upon him some
of the evils of his own injustice. would
present nothing of value tohim on the
ocean, to whet his cupidity and stimulate
him to perseverance in the war !
would front him on the ocean with empty
destructive ships, brave and hardy dc
tenders of them, and rusty iron guns. If
he achieved conquest, it would be con-
quest of hard knocks, whilst there should
be nothing of value to crafty, his cupidity
or compensate his own losses.
l would at the same time seize upon
his colonial possessions upon this contin-
ent. If the whole energy of the nation
could be brought to act vigorously in this
way, | will venture to predict, that with
in six months Great Britain would be
brought to value our friendship as much
as she would deprecate our enmity. But,
sir,whiIe would apply the scourgc with
one hand, with all the severity which the
active energy of the whole nation could
inhict, would with sincerity and rood
faith, hold out the olive branch with the
other my demands should be moder-
ate, and within the limits of justice.
And believe me, Mr.. President, Great
Britain would soon learn how to make
choice. Whilst, sir, you would expose
nothing OF value to her, she would ne
cessarily present to your spoliations a
rich commerce, commerce which the
very object of her orders were intended
to enlarge, and which she considers as al
most indispensable TO her national exis-
tence. Permit me at the same time to