The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-09-13

themselves, or reliance in their rulers I; tht
nation, from being the slave Of many, became
the prey one,and yielded WITHOUT resistanct
to the giant grasp that now controls It's des
tinics.
Where, may ask, is republican Switzer'
land that land OF manly independence and
rugged honesty where liberty, driven from
fairer climes, seemed to have built her eagle
nest among the stormy cliffs Of the noun
tans Corruption insinuated itself among the
softer Inhabitants of the valley. Faction rear
ed its HYDRA head amid their councils, and
that invinciblc country which, united, might
have bravcd the force of combined armies,
was betrayed by the factions of its inhabitants.
The hardy republicans of the mountains were
invaded in their humble cabins. Like Lions
assaulted in their dens, they fought hopeless,
yet fearless not for victory, but tor an hon.
durable grave not to preserve their country
triumphant, but to perish with its liberties.
The scanty fields of their youth were the
scenes of their glory. The echoes OF the
mountains, which so oft had answered to their
pastoral song, reverberated the death groan
Of the warrior the cottages OF St. Gothard
became the sepulchres of the brave.
While we mourn the fate of those repub-
licks, let us take warning by their misfor-
tunes Let them teach us, however we may
differ in speculative opinions, for such differ
cnces will ever e.:ist yet like the radii OF a
circle to meet in one common point, rcyer-
ence to those constituted authorities, which
we ourselves have cloathed with power. In
the hour of danger, let us rely on their virtue
and increase their energy, by uniting in
vigorous support of such measures as they
may deem expedient for our safety. gena
But while guarding against the spirit of
factious discomfort, .hich would strike at the
very root of our liberty, letus likewise be-
ware of foreign influence, which like an insl-
dious worm, gnaws silently into the core and
drains the very life juice of the tree. Emls-
sarics are secretly at work throughout our
land, endeavouring to SOW the seeds OF dlsat-
fection to our government, instilllny INTO our
minds heterodox opinions, inimical to the
genius of our constitution, affections foreign
to the interest of our country. These are
they who array brother against brother, father
against son who aim deadly blow at our
government by annihilating those domestick
virtues that are the very pillars upon which 1t
rests AS you value your present prosperity,
as you hold inestimable the form of govern
mcnt under which you live, as you revere the
memory of those departed worthless who at
chieved your independence, / charge you
watch, necessarily watch over those 8" cut
purses of the empire" who would pour into
the publick ear their I" leprous distillment,"
until corruption had coursed throughout the
veins of the body politick, and rendered it
mass of loathsomc putridity. ~rf at ys-s.,
Situated as we are, separated by world of
waters from the present seats of hayock and
desolation, what benefit can we derive from
in their contests Never did
nation exist that contained within its own bo-
som more competent means OF self support
and independence. Our empire rears within
its bounds the riches of every cline ; theiron
products of the north, the voluptuous luxuries
of the south, with the more substantial blcs-
sings of the temparte zone. Every want
that nature can experience. every desire that
capricious appetite can breathe, are gratihed
in bountiful profusion. Nor are the comforts
Of life partially distributed, they are widely
timate heirs of poverty, the idle and the pro-
lgatc. The melancholy scenes Of poverty,
hat darkcn the streets of Europe are here
unknown |; the arm of labour unstrung for
want of employ, the withered hand of hungry
Indulgence, raised in vain to implorc assistance
from fellow worm the famishcd bcggar,
sroaning and perishing at the gate of PAM
,ered opulencc, with all those sickening spec
res of misery, that pass darkly across the
lisk of transatlantick splendour.
Nor are we oppressed by titled ranks, who
claim precedence from birth and not from
merit who, without one gift of head or heart,
lrrogatc to themselves sepcriour dignity and
control. We have no corrupt nobility to
,ear like burthern on our shoulders, no ty-
ant throne, which, like the stone of Sisyphus,
he nation must vainly toll, to roll up to- the
summit of universal empire. c.--Every man
ooks with independent equality in the face Of |
lis neighbour those are exalted, whose stu
,criour talents, or superiour virtues entitle
hem to confidence |: They arc revercnced as
4. IL Hl..s Ill