The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-07-17

which domcstck enemies would not attach
the blame to our own government.
2. AS to Great Britain it afforded the
strongest weapon to force her to repeal her
| orders in council, since she could not keep
them without offending her manufacturing or
shipping in,cres, or both.
3. We could sustain this system for ever,
thereby avoiding the unpopularity and incon-
veniences Of perpaiual alterations And this
being well known TO Great Britain, would en-
force still more the necessity of repeating her
orders.
4. 1t entangied us with neither power by
pledges or contingent acts, and left us on per-
fec,ly independent American ground.
rtjeenons. The principal and almos, only
objection ever offered to this bill either in or
out of Congress was seanf Of energy.
On which let us observe
l. Its opposers offered no substitute.
g. They offered no amendment, but to
strike out the excluding clauses agreeing
at the same time to repeal ts, non-inter-
course and therefore supporting measure
still weaker than the bill.
3. The bill was meant as q substitute to the
non-ntercourse, and had no connection with
any other measures which might be adopted !,
such as preparing for war by practicable Or
ganization of military force, as proposed in
subsequent message permitting private ves-
sells to arm, or declaring war itself. All
which were measures distinct and indspen-
dent, and not incon sIstent with the bill.
4. The federalists themselves, well aware
of the efficacy OF the bill, opposed it, voted u
nilormly against il with other enemies and
through their aid alone was Mr.. Smiths bro
thcr, with his little phaianx, enabled ultimatc-
ly 10 defeat it.
Such is the general character of that ia.
nous bill which Mr.. Smith calls Macon No.
/. 1t was adopted in the House Of Repre-
sentatves by great aiority it was defeat
cd in the Senate, as is we'll known, by the
management of General Smith, where it was
finally rejected by a majority Of single vote.
But what gives Mr.. Smith right at this
day to proclaim himself in opposition to that
bill Was il ever laid before the Cabinet and
opinions taken ? Did he there oppose il !?
Did he not rather approve il, and give his
vote for every article Did he ever utter a
syllable against il, till his more acute brother
discovered the commercial bearing tha, it
would have upon the house, and concluded
that their interest required its rejection
Article ). The Presfaenis message u jan
uary, 1910. And docs Mr.. Smith really
think this measure was too gpeak or too strong I?
For he has not informed US. He only tells
us that it was the Presidents measure, and
therefore wrong. lie seems TO say this to
shew the variety Of his talents |; and among
others that Of seIf-contradiction /; for he be-
fore told us that the Macon bill was the Pres
ident's great efficient measure Of the session.
He assures us that tho language OF this mes
sage is ambiguous he has found somebody
in the Senate, as he says, who called IL Del
phic Oracle and neither he nor this priest
OF Apollo can tell whether twenty thousand
men means war or peace. But to save them
both the pains of solving this enigma, we will
suppose the President himself did no, know
whether 1t was to be war or peace. Now
there is nothing in this supposition dsres-
pectlul TO the Chief Magistrate FOR VIC our
selves, though very wise and the reviewers Of
Mr.. Smiths book, and though now eighteen
months and two days older than we were
when this oracle was uttered, do not yet know
whether II is to be war or peace nSy, scarce
" know whether during these same months
and days we have been IN war or peace.
Did this sagacious Secretary never hear OF
such thing as a medium state between de-
clared war and secure peace We should
think that a barbers's block under the whig
of statesman could easily catch the idea.
But what would have been the plan OF Mr..
Smith under an imperious call Tor war;"
+" 10 organize the hhysieaL resources OF the
country, TO bring them forth in tone univer-
sally manifcsting abroad and at home deter
mination to take a manly stand" When this
inflated vcrbiagc shall be translated into posi-
tive measures Of precise meaning, the pub
lick may Judge of the wisdom Of its author
at present they can. on,y Judge Of his weak
ness.
Did Mr.. Smith make his objections and
give his reasons at the time and place Off
cially proper to make and give them If, in
any instance, instead Of doing this, he has
waited for after thoughts and doubtful events,