The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-03-20

although the nccessily of ga more perfect
UNION of the States was generally admitted,
there was difference in opinion respecting
the best method OF producing IL. Some were
Tor adopting the Constitution AS proposed by
the Convention, and called themselves fedcr-
dnsfs {; others were for adopting it, but with
Certain amendments. and were called by the
frGeratfsss, aatsJederahsfs. The Constitution
was adopted by the States without these a.
mendments these amendments, however,,
have since taken PLACE, and the Constitution
is now what those who were called anti-fed-
erAlisls wished il, and what the fcderaiis,s did
nor uiAn. Who then are the present friends
and lovers OF the Constitution, those shc
othr,ve Of ir with its amendments, or those
svh0 do nor ? To this question your common
sense can give but one answer. The term
Jrderdfsf therefore no longer designatcs a
friend 20 the Constitution Of the UnitedStatcs,
but one othssed 10 those amendments, which
more efectually 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 tederalists were also opposed to q re-
cent amendment of the Constitution, which
guards against intrigue and corruytfon in the
choice of President and Vice-President anI
prevents a minority of the House of Repre-
scntatives from defeating 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-
tween Jefferson and Burr. As therefore the
present Constitution of The United States is
not the object Of their choice, it is not pro-
badly the object of their affection But we
are not left 10 conjecture upon this subject
we have evidence sufficient to convince Us,
that the federalism Of but too many origina-
ted in infere1 rather than in fafrsofism and
that the principal fault Of tie old confcdcra-
tion in their view was, that under it, they saw
no prospect Of realizing 20 shilings for what
had been extorted from the necessitous sol
dier Tor fzvo and SIR hencc.
We have seen an attempt to form a Nor
thcrn Confedcracy, "to counteract and awe"
the national government. We have seen and
now see attempts TO create /" jealousies and
heart burnings" between the {" .Northern and
Southern, .itiantirk and Wesfern" States. And
We have recently heard declaration Of a fsd-
eraGsf, from Massachusetts, OH the floor OF
Congress, that in case the bill 10 incorporate
ion should pass, the Union would BIC virsuai-
y Sissotoec, and that il would be the dafy Of
same States /" 10 hrelhare d,faifeiy for a se1,a-
ration, anIca6tv II they can, viotenffy If fhey
n,Rst." We arc therefore convinced that
the period oil their attachmcntto to .he Unionis
past, and that it expired when they had lost
al hope OF being able to subject the States to
their domination. Having therefore nothing
TO hope from the Union, they have surveyed
the boundaries and marked out the limits Of
division, and look forward TO the Empire Of
the North as the reward of their ambition.
We also differ with our opponents on a.
mother subject. Asubject which brings to
recollection those times Of action and suffer-
ing, when the distinction of Wing and Tory
were drawn in characters oil fire and blood
We have not forgot {" the awful price our"
country " paid for freedom !" we are not dis
posed to forget it, but 10 impress il upon the
minds of our children, not for the purpose Of
nourisbing in them an antipathy to G. Britain,
but that they may Justly appreciate the value
Of their inheritance. But our cars have been
accustomed to q language, which we might
have expected on British soil, and not in that
land where the plough-shsrc sill disturbs the
glorious death to sIavish submission. We
have seen the Declaration of independence
thrown by on its anniversary, because it re-
cords the atrocities Of Britain. We have
heard this declaration denounced as replete
with faschoods. British hireIings have set
up Presses in our principal cities, and we
have seen them patronized by /edcrahsts. We
have seen revolutionary fsries, and those who
have inflicted cruel torturcs upon our captive
countrymcn, the most Influential in the OPP
position to our Republican Administration,
and covering their sins with the mantle OF
federation. We have seen the imprcssmeDt
Of our citizens, to fight the battles Of Grea,
Britain, paIliatcd and justified by .federahsfs.
We have seen the firing upon our coas,ing
vessels within our territorial jurisdiction, the
murder of citizen and the outrage upon the
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