The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-05-08
MISCELLA ANY.
Fran the Boston PATRIOT,
TO THE
HON. HARRISON GRAY OTIS.
Presidsw Of ,kr Senate Of .Hassachsseffs.

the liberty of addressing you. Disposltioh
for mischief frequently outruns the power OF
| effccting it, We smile at the impstency OF
| passions which exhaust themselves in rage,
and are harmless more through inability than
want Of inclination. Greater strength is ne.
cessary TO resist tho laws than Boston car
furnish. Even the gentlemen OF Cornhill
and Broad-street would think seriously OF the
subject before ,hey left their shops and theis
warehouses to point muskct at the officers
| OF government. These reflections lessen our
alarm at the threat of open resistance to the
| laws, but in no degree diminish our surprise
at the sanction Of your name TO SO bold de-
| claration.
1t has been thought the policy ofthe party,
| of which you are the leader, on great and
hazardous occasions 10 keep their first char
acters behind the scene, and exhibit as prin-
cipal actors men of no name and little rcspon-
sibiliy. A different course shews the seri-
ousness Of their wishes, and the ardcncy Of
their hopes. When, therefore, the Prcsi-
dent of the Senate, tho first official character
they claim in the state, before an immense
multitude Of people seconds resolutions which
declare that the laws mnst and mil be re.
sisted," and advocates their adoption with all
the energy OF his resistless eloqucnce, the
Case is identified with the party, and Inc and
they must answer to the charge before the
offended majesty of the American people.
The offence Of resisting the laws includes
every species of injury to the happiness and
even existence of the country. Every law OF
the government is protected by the semc
sanction and equally entitled to obedience.
If one may be esisted, SO may any and alias the
convenience of individuals, or the restless.
ness OF faction shall direct. Few laws which
inflict a penalty or enforce tax receive uni
versal approbatioe. Let the. passions, the IN.
terest, or the ia gmcnt of individuals rise a.
bovc the authority by which laws were cnact-
ed and persuade the people to resist their ex-
ecutlon, and your county becomes one treat
theatre of anarchy and faction, your govern
mcnt is overwhelmed in the violcnce Of po-
litical tcmpests and we'll shall il be for the
authors of this calamity if they fall not sac
rifce to the rage of distracted people and
whiten with their bones the country they have
desolatcd.
You, sir, who are thoroughly read III the
history of nations. have in your mind y
fatal examples to Justify the rcmarh
ed not seek them beyond our oyi.
Why was it that the western counti..e
syLyania during the administrauoneI
ington were in blaze OF civil wand
midable military force stationed ian.
of what once was rustick innocence,rn
The answer is obvious. The
OF those counties were instigateG .r.
the execution of laws really injurR.e.
pressive. Great talents misappF~s
ployed to seducc the allegiance ~,
the passions Of the people. The co.
was denounced as I" tyrannical and
Nor did faction waste its strength Il
mcnaccs and intcmperatc resolves. 4 Ca.
forced the resistance that II threatened, and
produced a scene Of misery and ruin which 1t
is hoped will check the spirit OF ali future in
sufgency and calm the most daring ambition
that shall over raise itself against the laws.
When the resolutions, seconded by you and
adopted by an assembly Of two Thousand peo-
pie, declare that an act of Congress I" must
and will be resisted" did the facts have stat
cd enter into the contemplation OF the ci-
zens and were they fully apprized that resist
ance would be civil war g.
You are, sir, distinguished legislator.
When presiding al the Senate board, where
the dignity you maintain commands universal
respect, let me ask what would be your sehr
sations if the execution of a law with your OF
icial signature as a mark OF Its authority
should be resisted by force Conscious OF be-
ing on the side as we'll Of Justice as Of power,
you would arm yourself with all the strength
Of q firm and cnergetick government and de.
fy tho malice of disappointed partizans and
tlH ycpCcancc of unsatisfied ambition. The
threats of opposition, the menace OF resist
ance, the murmur Of any faction, and The clo-
qucncc that caused 1t, would excite only
smile Of security. Something, you would
say, might be yielded TO petition, but nothinc
to forcc.--Thrests prevent tho repeal o. an
act Which might otherwise be modified. The
dignity Of government, the sovereignty o.
law must at all events be maintained, even by
continuing an act which might otheswise b
repealed. aIf the nd nd 'h bow lis ,s authority