The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-04-03

Prom she National InselAgeneer.
THE ELEVENTH CONGRESS.

lick are naturally enough occupied IN passing
Judgment upon them. Unfortunately but
little of culogium is bestowed, while censurc
is avishcd with an unsparing hand. Whether
this arises from the conduct of that body, or 10
the result Of the difficult situation in which
they found themselves, may be considered as
doubtful Should they be denied wisdom,
we apprehend no one will disailow the up
righ,n1ss of their motives 1ha. the MAJOR
ily OF that body did their best to promote the
publick interests, we believe indisputable.
We are free, at the Same TIME, TO say that
we earnestly wish that they had pursLed .
different course. Ii is scarcely necessary to
add what that course Is. Ii should have been
an energetick course, and should, ere thiss
have issued in peace or war with either or
both the bclligercn,s.
While, however, we thus candidly declare
what has been often before avowed in this
paper, we know how to respect the motives
. oi those who in this respect materially differ
from us, and with equal claims to the exer-
else of an independent judgment, entertain
different views Of national policy. The zeal-
Gus and consistent Republicans, who have
weathered the blacklist storms, whose views
have been invariably admitted to have been
tree from personal aggrandixcment, either in
regard 10 power or money form that bodys
after all, OH whom the country must evenlu.
ally depend. Ii is these men, or their polit-
icaI sires, that achieved our liberties, and
gave life 10 the only genuine Rcpobiick that
has ever existed II is under this Republics
that seven millions Of ircemen, notwilhstan.
ding all the evils of which VIC SO clamoious-
ly complain, enjoy equal rights and substan-
tial comforts. Once destroy the confidence
OF the people In this body OF citizens and
federalism or something quite as bad will
soon follow. Men, loud in their professions Of
patriotism, but in their hearts devoted TO their
own agsrandizement, will seize the relns
# government, aud the nation will be Reeced
oi their property if not OF their liberties. .
1t then these men are honest, let us still
esteem them. Ii they are deficient in WIS.,
dom, Let us enligh,en them. 1t we are con.
yinccd that they will pursue the publick good,
II Is only necessary that we should expose it
to them. To do this effsctually, it is not G.
nough TO rail at improper measures it is re.
quisitc to PROFOUND those that are the 6ttest;
and the manner in which this is done should
be such as TO create confidence and inspire
respect They are not men to be terrified
by words. The sword OF sanguinary cne-
my had no terrours for them. 1t is absurd,
therefore, to expect that they will be sppal.
led by mere sound. Convince them OF The
propricty OF what you propose, and they
will follow it,. Temperance, then, and not
passion, reason and not rant, are the only
materials with which to operate upon them.
Almost every man, who should be called
upon for his project oil the best measures TO
be pursued by the government, will feel the
difficult situation in which thev have been
placed for some years past, by his own diff
Guilty when he would confidently propose a
proper course OF measures. II Inc, an indi-
vidual, experience this difficulty, he will ut
once perceive the complicated difficulties
that must attend u numerous body OF mcn,in
which SO much Is always necessarily saLri6-
ccd to accommodation. lie. will perceive
tina, while the individual has only his own
iudgmen, TO consult, body Of men. TO act,
are obliged to yield much 10 that diversity Of
opinion, which is found in all bodics,but most
of all in those who are not actuated by per-
sonal interests.
He, who, under the influence of such feel.
i,gs, views the proceedings Of Congress for
some years past, will find that most of the
difficulties that have attended our foreign re-
lations, have sprung from one cause, cause
with which the nation, and not they, is strict.
ly chargeablc. This is the still unsettled
point, whether it is the policy of the Amcri-
can nation by force Of arms to defend com.
mercc /; we say the nnsesfted point for, we
may talk as we please, but i, is still unsettled.
Hence all our inconsistency, our tcrgivisation,
our high toned style, and our inert conduct.
Had we determined, at the outset, not TO have
fought the piratical assailants Of our rights
on the ocean, we should not now be reproach-
ed for want Of spirit, nor should we have
incurred the rcproach Of inconsistency. So,
ON the other hand, had we resolved to defend
commerce by the. sword, we should, when-
ever it was seriously spoIia,cd, have prompt-
ly measured our strength with eur enemies,
and left the issue to God. In either case, our
course would have been as decided and uI..