The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-08-15
TO tte Editor Of tie Rhode -Lsland Republican.

TO tte Editor cfEhe Rhode Island ReGu5heor.t
SIR, .v.St, !.
THE time win shortly arrive when the
people OF this State must make Ep their minds
upon the choice of Representatives to Con-
gress. In order to do this, il is nece ssary that
they should weigh the qualifications aud char
acters of the respective candidates. IL has
been said, that frineities and not ntesi, should
govern in publick affairs. But must confess,
SIR, am at loss how to distinguish between
good men and good friacihies, or how to recon !:
cile the support of sound political principles
through men destitute of publick virtue
Can a bad tree bring Jorfh good Jruir
OF the four candidates proposed for Repre-
sentatives, Elisha X. Potfer sands distinguish
ed by his friends as worthy of the peculiar
confidence of the people. According totheir
very friendly Partially, no publick man is so
hit for the proposed situation as he !; they bold
ly challenge his Opponents 10 point out a sih-
gle bleniish in his private life, or a solitary in
stance, OF deviation from publ,ck da,y. I.
have, Sir, studied this man long,, and profess
to know him we'll The result of-,my obser-
vation of his publick conduct is SO different
fro,a the character claimed by his admirers,
that cannot refrain from communicating NY
view Of his pretensions 10 the confidence OF
the people, ~
affirm, Sir, as my most solemn conviction,
derived from an intimate knowledge of his
polilical'iifc and conduct, that he is entirely
destitute of the qualities which go to make up
the character of an accomplished State ss,aii,
apd that he is totally unfit TO represent the
people in Congress. If we hook to his edu-
cation to see how far it may have prepared him
Tor pobiitk usefulness, we shall find that he is
deficient in. that general and comprehensiye
knowledge that enables the politician to Judge
from THE past end present state OF the worit,
what course of national conduct may be wise
and safe, in time Of extraordinary commc- =
ton. His are the pcliticks Of erfcdients. OF
publick virtue of national honour, rights, OF
even permanent interests, YOU hear norl,ing
from him. His calculations turn upon pres
ent profit and loss; and arc guidedby illiberai,
grovelIing and vulgar principles. Had the
immortal Congress Of 70 been governed ty
such considerations as make the whole bnt-
then OF this mans cloquepcc, would they
have ventured upon the declaration of Inde-
pendence ? Would they have expended a
hundred millions Of money, and a hundred
thousand lives, TO resist paltry duty oe
threcpcncc per. pound upon tea.
His great leading maxim, is--that the sole
object Of controversy between the two pa,-
ties in this country, is svho shall be tn, and
zcho shall be OUT Tliis he branches out into
number of beautiful induc,ions, och as
The question is nor kozy the Covernrisn! shall Be
administered, but vho shall administer Z; !; noe
hoqv much money shall be silent, 6its wko star
sihend IL; not hosv mary Offices shoR Be ess06-
Gshed, but zvho shall jill them. Who but a to-
ry would unblushingIy pronounce sentiments
so degrading to human nature
But let us, Sir,for moment consider what
would be the consequence OF acting upon his
principles. He cenfesscs that the sele object
of himself and friends, is to yefin homer.
not TO prevent the expenditure OF the pee
ple's money, but to spend it themsc!res-nct
to abolish useless offices, hut to fill them them.
selves. Can VIC trust mans, who Openly
ayows chat these are his objects II must
be confessed, his party lived up To this crceA
when in power. am willing to own thst
they. rcli,ously observed every article Of it
that they did not care how the Goyc,nmcp:
was administered, so that they administered
it--,hat they did not mind how much OF tho
peoples money was spent, SO that they spera
it--nor how many Offices they established, SD
that they filed them with their own crea-
tures. But am at a loss TO cosieeivc how
this can entillc him to ,he confidence Of tie
people. -, -. - =
The wises. heads Of our country, and all
men who are notmadc the dupcs OF the wick
ed and monopoiizing policy Of the Bruisn
Government, agree that now is the time 10
establish manufactures, the roots Of which
may at the present tine. b. so deeply plant
ed that they cannot be hereafter torn up
Yet this man has uniformly voted in Con-
gress against every sort Of encouragement to
the infant manufactures of this country
and has an adherence TO this kiud OF industry
like hai Of enc bitten 6y mad dog TO UafeY.
/ would ask how in the nsme cf -ommcp
sense, when our fag is excluded from tho
whole contineut Of Europe, we arc to find q