The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-08-07
MISCELLANY.
For the Rhodc-ISland Refublcan.
TO THE FREEMEN OF RHoDEIsLAED

~
THE time will soon arrive, when you will
be required TO convene in your respective
towns, to choose delegates, to attend The Gen
erai Assembly of this State. On this choice
much depends. An awfurrcsponsibili,y rests
upon yoLr hands The happiness and well
lsre Of not only yourselves, but your families
and friends, are, iii some measure, at stake
Your business is OF IA weighty kind, and de-
mands your mcst seriou, attention. Dclibe-
rate and cool reflection ought, therefore, 10
govern your doings the decisions Of reason
ana unbasscd Judgment ought TO be your
sovereign guide in the actions of that impor-
tani day.
There is one question which necessarily
ought 10 engage your attention in the most
solemn manner and that is, whether you
will support those men who noyy represent
your town, or, discarding these, elect others
IN their stead.
In setting this question with. yourselves
YOU must take broad survey of conc omitant
circumstances. Your own welfare must be
taken into consideration the interest of the
town--lhe prosperity of the State-and the
Publick Good IN general. Scrutinize, with
care, the conduct Of your present delegates.
Has it been such as you can Candidly APP
prove Have they, in every instance, sup
ported the ina!ienable rights OF man Have
they used every effort TO promote the good
Of their constituents Have they harmonic
ed with the general government Have they
done honour to themselves, and those from
whom they received their appointment ?--If
they have acquitted themselves Justly in these
respects, they are worthy Of being rechosen.
Bot If they have acted the reverse--if they
have neglected to scrupnously perform those
duties, which are incumbent upon the agents
OF Il free people, dismis them, with honest in
diguation, from your councils, and leave them
to sink into that disgrace and contempt which
their crimes and Incidence richly merit.
When a candidate is presented for your
favour, weigh we'll his private character be-
fore you bestow yonr sudragcs upon him,
On the wisdom and pcrtinency Of laws de-
pend the happiness and prosperity OF the cit
izens. Corrupt laws degrade society, and
not unfrequently ruin individuals. Much,
therefore, depends upon the legislator 1t,
of course, behovcs YOU 20 elect such men as
will frame ac.s upon the principles Of expe-
dienoy and justice. good criterion where
by to Judge what the tenure of a mans ac-
tons will be, when invested with legislative
authority, is his character in private life. 1t
is, believe, never falling maxim, tina, a
pirtnous citizen sriU make a r'irtuoRs iasrgiper
Besides ascertaining the correctness of his
political sentiments, you will be careful to IN
form yourselves whether he he person OF
integrity and truth; whether he is honest and
upright, dealing Justly with all men, whelh-
or he be free from intrigue and duplicity
whether he be propagator cf calumny and
false rcpoy;s and, in short, whether &c be
useful and worthy member Of the community.
II, after being weighed in this balance, he be
found rot wanting, ycu Will &c safe in cntrus,
ing him with tho power Of legislation. But
if he be devoid of patriotism, hostile TO the
rights Of man, and dcclaimcr against the
general govcrnmon; If his tongue rse Gcccif,
ard nc kOison Of cshs be unirr Ms Hns; il
faishood and dup.icily he woven into his char
acter, snd sclf-in,orest DC his beings only
end and ain,,' reject him. with contempt, as
totally unworthy of confidence and rublick
notice asa wretch who deserves, no; the
esteem, brt abhortcncc cnd eSeesatioH oG
every f.i,nd c. Is ooua''y's vcsl
EnGNC