The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-03-21
PRLLOW CITIZENS,


WE, the undersigned, delegates, from the
several towns in this State, to represent the
sense of the Republican Frecmen thereof in
Convention, having met and consulted to-
gether, recommend the above as worthy of
the confidence of Republicans, and of their
support, for their General Officers the year
ensuing. Having discharged this trust, We
feel it our duty, as your friends and fellow
citizens, to address you, impressed, as we are,
with the importance OF the occasion which
calls for the exercise of all your patriotism
and discriminating judgment.
There is one consideration which, in inn
portance, swallows up all the rest, and that is
the necessity of a union, in sentimen. and ac>
,tion, of the National and State Government,
al the present crisis. Need We expatiate up
on the necessity of this union, or will those
who call themselves Federaiisfs represent it
TO you as of little or no consequence They
will, should their language accord with their
actions The standard of disorganization and
division is already raised, even In the legisla-
tive hall of neighbouring state. Men, who
ought to have been selected for their wisdom,
discretion and patriotism, have created and
passed resolutions which were only to have
been expected from tumultuous assembly,
infuriated with the madness of faction. Be-
holding these things, we are summoned to
greater exertion, that we may hereafter ex-
perience the satisfaction which deserved
and well earned success will afford, or if our
National Constitution is doomed to perish,
our National independence to be surrended,
our National Honour trampled in the dust,
that We shall not have to reproach ourselves
with supincness, but be solaced with the re-
Election, that, had our efforts prevailed, our
National Honour would have been vndicated,
our Independence maintained, and our Ma
tional Constitution remained 6 the palladium
of our political safety and prospsfn S."
Perhaps you, may be told, that to support
the national Constitution is one thing, and to
support the measures of those who admins
ter the national government is another and
that you may support the one, while you are
advocating the caus- of foreign nation, in
opposition to the other. The sentiments of
Washington on this subject are well worthy
of observation speaking az the National
Governments, he aayss Respect for its au-
thority, compliance with its laws, acquiesance
in its measures, are duties enjoined by the
fundamental maxims Of true liberty" That
the people have right to discuss freely the
measures of Government, so far from being
denied by us, we. consider as one of our most
essential privileges. But the admission Of
this principle, in its fullest extent, will not
Justify, or even excuse an opposition to the
laws or measures of the National Govern
mcnt, whether by the people at large, or by
the acts and resolves Of State legislatures.
The Legislature Of State is the Supreme
power of that State, its 7vcrds are acrs /; like
the Almighty who said. let there be light
and there was igh,," when it says. let
there be disorganizstion & division" division
and disorganization will ensoe. Legislators
have delegated powers they cannot act at
the same time in their delegated, and intseir
Observation-Disclosures capacity. When legis-
li,ing, they command and prescribe, and arc
rot citizens, collected for the expression of
their individual sentiments. They have no
right in their delegated capacity as Legislators
~ an individual State, to examine into the
use or abnse of those powers which the peo-
pc NAV have delegated TO the President of
the United States, or to their Representa-
lives in Congress. As we'll may one servant.
assume the authority of master over his
fel,or-sery Ant. and cai him 70 account for bis
conduct. We ihercrorc view these recent
Resolutions Of the Legislature Of Massaehu-