The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-06-19


quisitc, every State officer, under ITS contropl
who has been correct in his conduct, and
faithful to his trust disregarding his poll
ticks, and requiring only his support of the
federal and State Constitutions Go. crnment
and laws, with a due regard to the rights Of
officers and individuals subject To his otilc i.l
discretion But it cannot be expected of any
Executive, so far to disregard the sacred OBJ
h5ations of duty and honour, as to preserve
in Official stations, such individuals as would
abuse the influence of their publick charac-
ters ; by sanctioning resistance to law, or by
such other conduct, as will beguile pcaceable
and happy citizens, into state of civil war
fare.
For our metropolis, have ever entertain
ed an affectionate esteem, and respect ; and
regret exceedingly, that she has not suppor-
ted the salutary measures OF this government,
of the last year Had this beer done, we
might have slenced the demon of party dis
cord, have manifested such an invincibe de-
termination, to preserve our union, as would
have animated our sister States TO similar
measures and might have destroyed the
germ of every hope 70 sever the u. Sta,es.
OF late years, '' the dismembcrmcnt Ol our
Union" has been an avowcd object in the
ministerial papers Of Great Britain and to
effect it, a war has been urged against these
Stdics. How mortifying would it be for any
of our fellow citizens, to find that ;heir pro-
ccedpgs, uDintentionally, had promoted such
Dehrious designs /; and had thus entailed on
th sin and on their posterity, and indelibic
stain IL is seldom admitted as an apology,
that individuals, in thc adoption of such dam
gcrous means had iaudaGlc and honest views
or that they possessed talr regulations ; for
these circumstances serving to increase and
extend the evil, excite proportionate de-
gree OF pubck resentment. Numerous in
stances of this kind, existed at the commence
ment Of our revolutionary war, and compel
led our fellow citizens to exile themselves,
and to spend the residue Of their mournful
days in foreign clmes. Ii is remarkable
like wise, that such of late years have been
the poliicks of almost every commercial me
tropolis Of our sister States rs TO hayc driven
from it, the State Legislature. The reasons
assigned have been, the influx of foreigners,
and collection IN those great scaporls, OF
The declared malcon,ents of~he national and
State Governments individuals, vino with
the uniform of WAsHINGToN, have combat
ted the fundamental principles OK our revo-
lurion, as de,ineated by that reve,cd patriot
May our metropolis, by rcgaining the high
ground which she once held, when AMERI.
CANS throughout Europe were dcnonlinatcd
Bostonians, and BosroN was considered as
" THE CRADLE or LIBERTY" " sancuty"
these walls as the permanen, seat of the Leg
islature, and firmly suppor, our National and
State Governments, our Union, and Indepcn-
dence. But although the great body OF the
people, will always be careful to preserve in
Tor A hev h. ra6 IN
inccssant plots to divide and conquer them.
And let me, Gentlemen, address your reason,
not your feelings on this important subject
Vino can contemplate without chiiis OF nor
rour, the dsmembcrment of our Union, anC
"A Civil War What is TO be expected from
thcse concomitant evils We are now bles-
sed by Divine Providence, above any other
nation. We have national and State Cons,i-
tu,ions, which, by securing the freedom and
frequency of elections by the short tenure
Ol Legislative and Executive offices bv the
numerous checks required in free govern
ments and above all by the entire depen-
dencc Of those systems on the sovereignty of
the people, are rendered incapable of a sud
den change to an arbitrary system of govern
ment. We are blessed with the free exercise of
our civil and religious rights, with the prompt
""a oue auWiN'sVa'ion OF JuStice--With
country capable of supplying all our wants
anu wishes,-with flourishing state of uni
versities, and other seminaries of literature,
and OF science in general-with local situa-
tion, distant from the terrihck scenes of un-
precedented Carnagc,-with an efficient na-
u,nai defence, by "a patriotick and powerful |
militia; rendering unnecessary those expen- |
sive military establishments, which arc OPP
pressive and dangerous to liberly--with the |
extension over the globe, of lucrative COM
merce ; subject indeed at present, TO great |
and inevitable embarrassments--and with in |
Vulnerable other benefits. And is it possible |
for us, by mgrati,ude of the deepest dye, to
that Omnipoten, Being, who has so hvoured |
us, to violate every moral, religious aud po- |