The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-10-23

spreads It's roots like corroding cancer tbr"
all tho rami6cations OF the political body.
France comparatively, is hardly a power nj
the second order in the American afiairs.
She has lost all her colonies, her navy is noe
yet fegencratcd, her commerce As passive,
and the strongest national prejudices coherent
TO the blood of Scotch or English origin, NH
ltate against her interest, and also against al
those who owe her their birth
between the English and French, accovd-
ingly, agreeable to PhocionSthc FIRST are en-
titled 10 our alliance, because they are thc
most powerful by sea, they can the most IN Z.
jurc our commerce, and they have among a
thousands OF loyal partisans, who at this ve' ~
moment would glory to rally round th' ..r
standards and hoist them on the capitol st
Washington. But far be from me, the Con
tumeious thought that we are not the stton-
gcst in our own country, and that we wans
any European alliance at all TO be free and
happy.
The physical strength of the u. States,
. their incommensurabe resources to create
powerful navy the bold spirit of our scafar-
Ing men which would render them the most
active and successful pri,alee,s----the valiant
youth OF their cities and villages, whose zeal
for the study Of military tsc,icks, deserve SO
much praisc--thcir hardy and brave yeoman-
ry, who unite all the qualities required 10
form interchangeable soldiers. The wonderful
number OF their militia, which Would enable
them to turn battalion on the field, easier
than any Europsan nation could bring u pla-
,oon against them. The iourishing situation
of their agriculture, which never fails TO Of
fer an abundant surplus assdthc astonishing
progress oil their arts, manufactures, furna.
ces, forges and powder mills, are so many
nerves, which being put in action, and com-
brcd with commercial and political auxiliary
means, could inspire in the holders OF thc
valuable ship-timbcr land in Canada, in the
possessions Of the profitable fisheries Of New
ioundland, in The wealthy proprictors OF Ja-
maica, and other neighbouring islands, as
we'll as to the aspiring master OF Peru and
Mexico, q very prudent though very tardy
regard for our neutral rights.
Great chang es are working under the hand
Of God, on this coptintnk, and our .Y&}Hhk
-ihrown N. 4ks ba&anc< q ih<lg bri1t6ce and
liberty could wcun forever the ncw world
from: the old, and leave the cabinets Of Lone.
don and Paris repent Of their orders, their
dccrees, and their plundcring systcm.
l am too well acquainted with the modcra-
ton and paciick views of tho North Amcri-
can people, to believe, in earnest, that tho
citizens now a, the head of their government
have any hostile views against either Of The
beIigcrcnts, and indeed il we were TO Judge
OF their secret intentions by their measures,
it would appear that they rather iDdulged too
Ear the flarering hope Of preserving peace
aad neutrality OH an honourable and safe ba-
sis. Unacquainled with The deep immortality
of European poi,icks, they have thought
that justice and reason would finally prevail :
but Justice and reason have long ago put on
the mantle OF mourning in that part of the
world. And il is only by repuIsion equal
10 the action that we may hencctorth expect
TO maintain our neutrality, between powers
bent upon one another's destruction ! who
consider as lawful whatever war considers as
useful, and have embraced that infamous OLD
Roman maxim, tha, surrounded by arms
the laws are silent" (Intcr anna silerc legcs.D
Our defensive means are of two sorts, mill
tary and political ; and If l have not concciv-.
cd an erroneous opinion of tho rights and du-
tic. Of an American citizen, shall submit,
with ciyick confidence, on tho application
which could be made of those powerful rcs-
.ora,ives, TO raise US from state of stupor
TO political life.
A martial attitude by land and by sea ought
evidently 10 be TIC OBJECT ot our immcdiato
efforts, and should recommend accordingly
/. To form, as soon as possible, armies OF
neutrality 10 the north aud to the south Of
our empire, with able officers, scdentary old
troops OF the line, and adjunct drafts Of tho
militia to serve only months by rotation.
2. TO concentrate, ircrease sand improve
our scattered, and now useless fotilla, on tho
plan of The fo;iIIas Of Russia and Swcdens
and station two divisions Of those very useful
arnlamcn,s, with Sufficient nuinbefof trans
ports, in the most convenient fortified har-
bours, a, ,hc Two extremes Of our sea shore.
9. TO strengthen our naval force oh tho
lakcssand subject to The requisition Of gov
erpmcnt all the craft used for their nayis;a-,
ton.
4. To repair and garrison, to the full con,-
plcmcn, Of war, the most useful of our forts