The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-06-13
SPEECH OF Gov. GERRY,
10 the Legislature o. Massachusetts.
csntlemen Of tie Senate, and

csatlrmsn Of tie Senats, and
Gentlemen sf h'e House Of efxsprsssniSsiues.
The independent, and respectable electors
OF this Commonwealth, by majority of their
suffrages, having honoured me with the Office
oi their Supreme Executive Magistrate, All
honour at this period increased by the existing
state of our pubick affairs. have accepted
The important trust, with that gratitude, which
that difhdencc, which is fearful TO do wrong;
and with that soiicitude, which Is inseperabic
from sincere desire to do right.
In this enlightened age of the world, the
vriteria for judging Of rulers, are their mca.
sures, not their professions those only then,
whose conduct Is candid, upright, and hon
durable, can enjoy, either the happiness Of
conscious rectittIdc, or the pleasing cxpecta-
tion, Of the appreciation, esteem, and sup.
port OF their fellow citizens. And should
their rule be Rreritorious, how often do cir.
. sumstances Of G publick nature occur, which
leave 10 government choice only of evils
deeply affecting tho feeling and interests of
the people, and producing jeaousics, discon.
ients and opposition
Such Of late has been the state Of our na-
tional concerns, and the consequent divisions
have exhibited prospects OF serious ALARM
is it not tts duty of the Trustees and Guar
dians Of the inestimable rights and liberties
Of the people, TO destroy if possible this
germ of political confusion, and at the shrine
of publick safety, honour, and welfare, TO
sacriGce all private and local views, prejudi-
ccs, and discordsnt passions /!
If have formedNa just estimate OF the
characters whom address, there cannot ex-
ist a solitary doubt, that in pursuit SO deep
ly interesting to the publick, regardless OF
political distinctions, they will cooperate
with me, in attaining these important objects,
and to secure success, let the mantle of friend.
chip be drawn over past obnoxious measures,
aud our excrtions be directed to prevent their
repetition.
Whatever may be the points Of difference
between parties, in this they will undoubtedly
agree, that union IL she pifai Principle Of ib-
rrsy for as well may the physical body have
being without air, as the ody-politick Of
eur Republick, without that principle.
From time immemorial, the successful
maxim of ambition has been to divine and
conquer ~ and even free governments have
SO far sanctioned il, for preventing the union,
. and preserving the suboTdination Of their col
onies, as TO disseminate jealousies amongst
them. s4s
Such was the policy Of Great Britain, for
retaining the colonies which first formed the
United States /; a policy which in the early
period Of their separation from her, exposed
them to imminent danger, and was their most
| formidable foe.
BuNthe good sense Of the colonists prevail.
ed and with a population not exceeding two
millions Of Inhabitants with executives and
ludiciaries, almost wholly opposed to them
with regal troops, in their fortresscs, cities
md principal towns, to awe and control them
With few arms, aud military stores and with
bur publick funds, or au organized govern.
ncnt TO conduct thei- operations they a.
optcd this motto. " United we stand, diyid-
d We fall y and their union, successfully 1
emmsacsd, and trinmphantly ,erminsted the