The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-01-09

ny OF our countrymen-a spiu which HIS
led TO indiscriminate opposition TO every wise
and energetick measure, and has gone great
way towards involving the United States in
civil discord. This unfortunately, too clearly
proved the baneful effects of disunion of
seDtiment-and a too great love of money,
the prevailing passion of the times, which
would sacrifice the very independence Of our
country Tor a farice--for mean and degraded
commerce-which never increases the wealth
OF any nation without bringing into it a due
proportion OF the vices of other countries. II
produces also, what is called in polite circles,
citizens of the world, the worst citizens in the
worldwide having no attchmentto any coun-
try make themselves wings to fly away with
impending danger. Commerce is certainly
beneficial to society in secondary degree,
but never should it have the ascendancy over
the agricultural and manufacturing interests.
These are our primary objects. Commerce
also begets prediction for every thing for
eign, and is too apt to engender contempt for
things OF our own. 1t permits AN interier.
eDce of foreigners with our government and
Its measures which no country but ours ever
will suffer to that degree which We have ex-
perienced. Those characters however, should
know, that day of retribution may come, and
he who cannot honourour principles, because
a slave to prejudice, should at least eniov
the blessings of our freedom and hospitality
in silence, or choose CLINE more congenial
to his feelings and sentiments.
" The world is all before him where 10
seek place of rest
Such people fail not to intermeddle with
our country's affairs; contending for the SUI
periority of foreign governments and fash
ions, and endeavouring to subject the very
people who foster them, to foreign dominion,
while, nevertheless, they are suffered with
unexampled lenity and forbea, ance, 10 20 on
increasing their wealth and fictitious conse-
qnencc, under the protection of laws for
which they have no respect, but which ought
to be regarded by them with plous affection
and unbounded gratitude.
1t is a consolation to reflect, that when we
have so much regretted the interruption of
OUT commerce, will and must turn essential
ly to our advantage, by directing our atten-
ton to domestck manufactures, the only true
ground upon which nation can be inde pend.
ent and happy-for can he be said to be tru
ly independent whose meat and clothing hang
ON ano,her's favour
Can we not be content to wear a coat of
our own manufacturing ,thouph no so fine and
handsomely wrought Or mas, it be touch
ed with the finger of foreign artist to make
1t pass current among the Beau Monde
1t is time to yield up the ntemptible bus.
mess OF retailing foreign ideas and sentiments
of shreds of goods and scrihs of haher, to the
extent which has hitherto existed.
Again, by encouraging the spirit which is
now prevailing for internal Improvements,
viz; Canals, Publick Roads and Machineries,
almost for every art, great part of our Ia
bours will be applied that way, and of course
less of olr produce will be for expectation,
while great part will find ready consump-
ton within ourselves; and thus, by reci-
procity OF services and supplies, our wealth
will continue to encrease and our citizens
be diverted from seeking their for
tunes on tempestuous sea, made more per-
ilous by the present state Of the old world,
and the strength of our governments will be
consolidated, WEIGH after all, are the freest
and happiest that ever did exist since the first
institutions of civilized man, and may truly
be styled, " the most stupendous monuments
of human invention" But all these improve
ments must have for their foundation good
system of education and general diffusion
of knowledge. The great employmen,s of
civil and military officers, must Of necessity
be confined to some, while the rest OF our
citizens are engaged in their ordinary occu-
pations. These are important trusts, and
should be placed in wise and virtuous hands.
But how will succession of such men, be
kept up without the aid of Legislative patron
age {? The very sentiments as well as SER
vices of each individual belong TO the pub
lick: The sacred ,rust Of experimenting
and rightly directing those sentiments by pro-
viding and maintaining wise system of in
struction, cannot be neglected without de-
servedly incurring the severest reproach.