The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-10-25
LONG TALK,
Delivered by the Grand Sachem,
General LEIB.
BROTHERS


you. Not many moons haye passed over
our heads since l discharged this duty, and
you will attribute my appearances before
you at this time, entirely to the pleasure 1
fccl,in obeying the will of the Society, and
to the disposition Lat all times entertain to
contribute my mite to its stock of amusement
or profit. ~
This Society, Brothers, under the name Of
an Indian Chief has other than savage OBJ
jects in view. Revclry and riot make no
part Of our institution, and although we dcdi-
cate one day in the year to mirth and glee,
these are not to be unmixcd with useful purpo-
scs. While we permit our hearts to ex-
pand with kindness and brothcriy affection
towards each other, let us not be unniindiul
that the circle of our interest is not bounded
by our constitutional limits The Tsmmany
Society comprehends larger space-;t en-
braces within its scope tje American peo-
pie.
One OF the noblest purposes Of man is to
improve the condition, to enlarge the happi-
ness of his fellow man. Connected, and init
matcly too, with human happiness are politi-
Cal institutions Of the world. Man can be
only trucIy happy when he is free, and he
can only bcfrce when the powers of govern.
ment are i'm his own hands. In the United
States the people are free because they gov
ern, and they are happy because they are free.
They will both---and their will is the law
To preserve these blessings is the great end
Of our institutions
The time was when another country dicta-
ted the law to this, or in other words, when
the British government held us in state Of
Ia 1apr -Nuho c,oo - L.
as we thought best--a long and arduous con-
test gave us independence, and freedom, such
as no nation ever did, or does now enjoy, has
hitherto been its attendant Political institu-
tions, without example in the history Of the
world, have grown o,lt Of our s9if.govern.
mcnt, and the wisdom and will of whole
people are substituted for the dictation of the
one or the few. To preserve and improve
those institutions, to perpctuate the ipheri-
tancc, acquired by the hearts blood of our
country, is the duty of everylson of Tamma-
ny, and makes part of the bond into which
he enters when he becomes of our fraterni-
ty.
The struggles Of a great nation for the
rights Of man, kindled the flames of war in
the trans-atlantick world The enemy to A.
merican freedom and independence, nay, the
foe to human happiness, unfurled her bloody
banner, and the tyrants of Europe were sub.
sidizcd as crusaders against the liberties of
the French people. The war thus began,
has had but short intervals of peace for years,
and the plains OF Europe have been crimson
ed with the blood of the innocent and the un-
offending. The war OF monarchs against
the people has produced their cnslavement,
and the dawn Of Iiberty, which at one moment
chcercd and gla(ldened the world, has sunk
again into imprenatrable darkness Republic
can France has submitted its neck 20 the yoke
of a new dy nasty, and liberty has bcen'exiled
from Europe. Franco, awakened by liberty,
has prostrated all continental Europe at her
feet, and is now engaged. single handed with
the authoufof all her calomities and all her
glory. In this contest, The 6cnd of human
repose, is labouriag to involve us---war is un-
friendly to freedom, and we have sought to a.
void it. The blood of frcemen is as precious
as that Of monarchs, for in this land Of liber-
ty, every freeman is king, and therefore
have frcemen cndcavoured to prevent it,
war, dictated by necessity, and entered upon
for all that IS dear to man, still is an evil -
and to cast the chalice Of misery from our
lips, has been the assiduous and unremittcd
endcavour Of dcmocratick administration.
! The digni6cd moderation of the chief mag
nitrate has not met a correspondents temper,
neither has his innexiblc Justice and impair
tial observance OF neutral law secured us a.
gainst insult and outrage. II would seem as
1t Heavens DEGREES were at last to be fulfil
led, and that all mankind was to be arrayed
against the common enemy Of nun, to give
human natur, rcpose, and to afford respite
to the calamities of the world.
The measures of the administration have
been fraught with wisdom-shey have been
conceived in scrupulous and nice regard
for the publick welfare. and have been per-
sia<d in with hrnnnesSs worthy of good
cso.s To avoid war was an impcrious duty,
as long 80 It could be avoided without a
sacri6re rf t,,-r ,>...-...--. .~..-- - =.