The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-03-13

although the necessity OF " a more perfect
union" of the States was generally Admitted,
there was difference in opinion respecting
the best method oil producing II. Some were
for adopting the Constitution as proposed by
the Convention, and called themselves fede'-
aisss others were for adopting 1t, but with
certain amcndmentss. and were called ny the
JederaLists, cut .feder0Hsfs. The Constitution
Was adopted by the States without these
mendments these amendment, however,
have since taken Place, and the Constitution
IS now what those who were called anti-led-
eraists wished IT, and what the federalists lid
nDf zrish i. Who then are the present tiiends
and lovers Of the Constitution those srho
attr ve of H with its amendments, or those
zho do nor ? To this question your common
sense can give but one answer. The term
.federaHsl therefore no longer designates a
friend 20 the Constitution OF tie United States
but once ohiesed 10 hose amendments, which
more ehectuay protect the rights of the Cit
izen, and mark more distinctly the line of de-
marcation between the powers delegated to
the Union, and those reserved by the States.
These tedcralists were also opposed to a re-
cent amendment of TIE Constitution, which
guards against intrigue and corruhsion in the
choice OF President and icc-President ant
prevents minority of the House OF Repre-
snntstives from deieYing the wishes of the
people, BY imposing Upon them President
contrary 10 their known inclination, or by
preventing any choice; both of which they
attempted to do in the memorable contest be-
twesn Jeffe. son aud Burr. As therefore the
preseul Cons tuition Of the United States is
MOI the object OF their choice, il is not pro-
baby the object Of their affection. But we
are not Jeff % onjecture upon this subject
we have evidence suifil lent to convince us,
that the federalism OF Out too many origina-
ted In interest rather than in hatr1otisn and
that the principal fault of the old confedera-
tion in their view was, that under IL, they saw
no prospect OF realizing 20 shilngs for what
had been extorted from the necessitous SOL
der for $40 ind hence.
We have seen aR attempt to form Nor
them ConfederAcy, 4" to counteract and awe"
the national government. We have seen and
how see attempts to create {. jealousies and
heart busnings" between The " Northern and
Southern, .dttantlck and Western" States. And
we nave recently heard declaration Of a fed
sraIst, from as,achusetts, on the floor oi
Congress, that in case the bill to incorporate
tle Territory OF Ncw-OrIeans into the Tn.
IN d;ssoiosd, aud that ii would be the dufy OF
some States +" 20 hrehare d. d.fniteiy for a seha-
rasion. anucublv il they can, vioientiy if they
mus" We are therefore convinced that
che periJ. oi their attachment to she Union is
past, and that il expired wien they had lost
ali nope of being able to subject the States 10
70 hope from the Union, they have surveyed
eha nIa nd Iye6 10 nj
division, and look forward 10 the Empire OF
the North the reward of their ambition.
We also differ with our opponents ON "a
nother subject. A subject which brings to
recollection those times of action and suffer-
ing, when ,he distinction Of Wing and Tory
were drawn IN characters of fire and blood.
We have not forgot " the awful price our"
country paid for freedom - we are not dis.
posed to forget il, but to impress it upon the
minds of our children, not for the purpose of
nourisoins in them all antipathy to G. Britain,
but ,nat they may justly appreciate the value
OF the II inheritance. But our ears have been
accustomed 10 d language, which we might
have expected OH British soil, and not in that
land here the plough share still disturbs the
neglected bones OF those who preferred a
glorious death to siavish submission. We
have seen the Esc caration Of independence
thrown by on Its anniversary, because ii re-
cords the atrocities Of Britain. We have
heard this declaration denounced as repete
with f,lsenoods. British hireiings have set
up Presses in our principal cities, and we
have secn them pAtronized by /tdc-alists. We
have seen reOotuiondry teries, and those who
have inflicted cruel tortures upon our captive
sountsymcn, the most inAncurid in the OPP
position To our Republican Alministr alton,
and covering their sins with tie mantle of
federalism. We have seen the im.,ressment
OF our citzeus, to- Ggat the battles Of Grea.
Britain, palii,ted and justified by federaLists.
We have seen the firing upon our coas,ing
vessels within our territorial jurisdiction, the
murder of cilizen aud the outrage upon the