The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-05-10

TO THE PUBLIcK.

hom the well disposed of the people Of RAods kiInd
Not having often sclfshly troubled thcm, he natters
himself with hope of the greater indulgence. The
necessity Of the present explanation is grounded in
the peculiarly Of his present situation in relation
what might be considered publick duties required at
his hands. It's apology must be traced to the same
source And in this stage oft he asks fJr an exam
nation Of the course he has performed, (howeyer
lowly and humbe,) in political and pnblick life, i'm
order that il might be previously ascertaned, how
far the principles which he has proessed. and still
processes, compor with what is sound and saiutsry
bow far bis professions and conduct may have accord
ed-how far the latter may have been held in subec-
ton to the ascendency Of fidelity and recttudc. Nor
Is this pqurefnent ar unworthy emanaton of pre-.
sumption and vanity It is made under impressions
Of the deepest humility and difidence II is made
with other view than To- meet recent ana pointed
insnuations against hm, which, upon attentive and
candid investigation, may possibly be found tinctur
ed and tainted Of slanderof SANDER insdiously cal
culated TO deprsss him IN the esteem Of his fellow
citizens, which aone and in itself constitutes the su-
premc object of his ambition but which, however
Indispensable to his felicity, he would not wish un-
justly to possess.
Being abou. to retire from several subordinate Of.
ices, which for the last eight years he has held In
the administration Of this state Retiring too at
juncture in its political affairs which capficous IA
talty seems alone to have contributed TO form and
many Of the organs Of which darky and heavily dis.
posed to load him of with ungencrous (it il hoped
not malicious) opprobrum prepared to render even
the penciled shade Of retirement unpleasant and dis
astrous; it's due to himsef-it is due to his coun.
try, that an explanation should be had.
Eight years ago, at pressing and general solicta-
tom he received those Offices three in number, viz
o. Ppblck Notary, Of Justice of the Peace for the
county of Newport, and Clerk Of the Supreme Judi
cia Court for the same county, the two latter Of
yhich Asc in themselves badges OF degradation, md
nnghtcously and generously conducted, sources Of
u0prohtAh and slavery Tothese he submitted
qyt Qf disppsition 70 serve the pvblick. and to
% - s,nSsss...ns .ssrs Drrn ssS ,s Sis
s6feeabk part of tc baaiseM c populOus seaport,
thst came within the jurisdiction of juttics has
dcvolved upon him. TO this ne has submitted, and
IL constant regard TO the order and tranquility Of
society ss well to che rights Of the citizens, has
not been rnaintained-f justice equally to the rich,
and the poor, has not been dspenscd--if the least
appearance Of party spirit has ever been found 10 in.
hucncc his decisions, let the injured declare IL. If
IN any Of those Offices he has at any time been found
wanting in promptness, assiduty, correctness, or
has been crcdbly informed, several Of the slouching
slandcrous cormorants Of corruption and villany
Of both pares have, out Of the deepest reccsses Of
their own mercenary skill and adroitncss, and with
the requisite calculation, curtained around with ap
pfcpriate darkness surmsed and insinuated against
his qualifications y IF he has been found wanting
in either any Of those requisites, he hereby, and
thus publickly challenges the bolest Of ihese po-
litical vipcrs 'o make it manifest
The publck win excuse him for this appearance
ofpassionate warmth II is not the loss q an Office
that urges his feelings lie well knew the means
that would have preserved 70 him the continued pos
session Of this. But those means, according 10 his
estnpation, were base and servile, and aside from
that patonck disposition which he the more reveres
from the prccepts and example Of venerable ances.
tor, whose memory ne viii hever disparage Noshe
sets the liberties Of his country at higher value
Al A.
purchased by one momeht's forgetfulness Of virtue,
dignity, and honour, such price would be too great
for him. His feelings are urged by the manner and
circumstances of the removal Had Il been rcmov-
81 from all that he possessed, his fate would have
been assimilated with that Of every other Republican
officer IN the state, possessed of magpznmity, pssri
otsm, talents, and private virtue, sho at the last
sion Of the Assembly, have been deprived. and, In
many iustances, their places filed by mere trippcfs
sser party, like the grovcng miscsesnts, who sculk
N the train Of victorious ssmy, psnedg by plum
sfes Sss s. a S.ss ss%os .sIss s Il
that he pcssessss NJ scuf not have said or thought
my thing ofst O. II be had thought, they would have
; hBen theuehu % peasure and pride n tlnt he had
fallen mdiscyim:nstely 9th the vvtnous. Hut why
us desfadmg dissinctSnl Why excluded fuom enc
Office with invidious, insnyztions Of incompetcncy,
snch a. have been alluded TO and preserved In two
others, such 40 have been mentioned II not 6t for
Pu66ck Notary. Why fit Tor q Clerk OF the Supseme
judicial Court, or Justice Of the Peace Are not
the duties of the latter mportsn and az difcuit
(hough not respectable perhaps) - the dutes Of
the former Was Il upon asuppostion tbst the hrst
was Az appointment too respectable IN its nature to
be thus conferred What high and exalted person
age h the sclfsuhcicncy Of his own " honourabIe
education" grcicusly condescended, m considers-
don Of the blbEek rood TO make The estimate! Was
be altogether isnsrans Of the structure AZ the mind
OF The person whom he facetiously conceived HIM
self untackeling and tackclng into Office to ssit hss
own particular and peculiar taste and views Or did
he indulge the hope Of breaking down that structure.
hGA md exsted far beyond the tortured stretch OF
his most attcnuated conception and Of reducing that
mind 20 dispondepcy, and concessioni Delusive
hooe sEasirr wereft for a azu.<! IN psss throu0h