The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-12-26


doption of measures Sequired By IT, This is no sea-
son Cor temponsiag our government has pursued
the mdesf OF measures that did not involve
surrender aimporant ghts "a course which has
been bcIo~ the pubck feeling and expectation. lhls
course cannot be arrested. The government must
either rersist in without modlc alton, or advance
TO recede will be ignominy England must repeal
her orders IN council and ber illegal blockadcs, or
Our commcrcialin with her must terminate
We are happy to learn that the" principles and
professions" Of His DANISH Majesty are friendly
although we must candidIy say, We should be much
more erstifed by measures COMFORTING With them.
The steps taken by the cxecutiyc in relation TO the
territory Belonging the United States, but lately
claimed and possessed by Spain, cannot fail to b.
gratifying 10 every one who views the subject in its
sroper light The following is the clause Of the act
Of Congress passed .ir October, 1908, under which
the President has doubtless acted.
Be 10 enacted, Sc That the President of the u.
States be- and he is hereby authorized TO take pos
session Of and occupy the territory ceIed by France
to the IT, states, by the treaty concluded at Paris on
the S0th day OF April last between the two nations,
and that lie may for that purpose, and IN order 10
~ the said territories the authority OF the
slses. employ any parl Of the army and navy otshe
United States, &C."
q Not having room here to examine the title gwen
the United States by France ts country, we shall
in few days laya history OF the transfer and the
grounds Of the title before our readers; conenimg
Ives for the present. with obseryIng that there
doubt of its including the territory designated
n the proclamation of the president The laws pas.
scd by Congress, when the territorial government OF
Orleans was organized, looking To pennd when tne
United Sites should by am,cabe negoclation Obtain
by arms extort, from the Spanish go'ernnenf,tbe
posse ssIon of the territory claimed by them as part
of Florida, have embraced in their provisions as we'll
that part Of Louisiana retained by Spin, AS that for
may transferred To the u. States. But little, there
fore remains for the Legislature to perform and no
sanction becomes necessary 10 the conduct OF the
executive, AS IN what the president has done ne Is
borne cut by the express provisions OF the statute
Ii would be needless IA cxpatate on the benefits
ccring the United States from the possession OF
this territory. The re,son why it has not been oc-
cupied before, is efficiently explained inthc prc:la
nation, aud in the letter of Mr.. Secretary Smith 20
Governour Holmes IL the acquisition promisStd no
other beneficial tendency, the exemption Of our Wcs
tern citizens from the tribute heretofore paid TO the
spanish government on aiimports and exports IN -
tho Mobile, would be object OF more than snhici-
ent magnitude to have warranted the step which has
been taken.
The message next announces se amty, with one
exception, of the powers Of b., barry, and the h'-
dian tribes. Strange that while wrong upon wrong
is heapcd upon by ciuiiised ard Christian powers,
we should be justly reascd BY Bar1erians I Can
there be a keener reproach on the principles and
conduct of those powers, WHO, IL. propor;io,I TO the
claims of virtue and Knowledge desrisc them Well
may they blush at this Illuminating contrast May
be permitted to add, that this fact furnishes r
gent argument in favor Of the scasonabie admins
tratioa OF physical force
We are highly pleased viii, the marked no ice, ta-
ken by the message, os the extension Of xscd anlu
scfures and improvement, in agriculture, ana particu
larly with the bold and enlightened observatlon lbt
they more than rcconpenoe Tor The prvat'ons
and losses resulting from foreign injustice. THIS
fact, in its widest latitude, is true II should be
cherished our shcet-snchor III the worst stornf
that assa US All that it necslsis the wise mtg
position Of the government, To fos.er our whole
interior concerns, that no foreign shock can ma
terially injure us. This, however some minds may
hesitate the subject, is requisite, is Indispensable
Without it,, the impulse given by pubick sentiment
and All unusual of causes, will be tran
sent, and the proud establishments that are now
springng up in every quarter Of the Union nay fall
in ruins beneath the golden wand of England, who.
in the immensy o her riches, can ana probably VIII
sacrifice millions to impede our infant manufactures
Proper duties RESTRICTIONS and prohibitions should
beinposcd, without any mistaken regard to their ef-
ec the treasury, which can, at any time, be read.
lily replenshed, provided internal abors and pur'
suits are prosperous.
The invitation to navigation act is highly
able. II has become necessary to return .he poison
ed chalice to the lips Of those who persist in MUIR
ing
We have now reached that part Of tho message.
which recommends the establishment of national
seminary Of learning. In diction and sentiment
is above all praise. We rejoice that Madison
has thus trodden in the footsteps of Washington,
and has thus unequivoc.ly joined his suiirages to
that Of Jefferson and an Adams viii Congress
feel the generous inspiration, and lay the foundation
of what We most want, national character With
out it, we cannot be an independent people. Will
they thus called upon by Washington, Adams, JEFF
erson and Madison, in the high character OF Repre-
sentatives of the whole nation refuse to lay the oun
dations Of structure, which great nation has
elected, and which is peculiarly essential to the well
fare. stability and glory of a free people Will they
not on the contrary, seize this happy occasion to
concur in a measure altogether unconnected with
party
The message presents many other interesting to-
picks, on which time does not allow to dilate.
We cannot, however, omit noticing the p nspcrous
state of our fiscal concerns say brosperous for
surely they may be considered SO, when they enable