The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-02-19


his part, he WAS ready to vote them, and he
i,ed no doubt that the people, knowing that
the administration had done every thing in
their power, and more than was called for,
by any other consideration than lcye OF
peace, to avoid war, would sustain il as long
as the resources of The nation wege applied
with spiri; and failhfuIness--at all events, let
US do our duly, and leave the rest to them.
Bat, ii our means be sufficient, said the
gentleman, your physical force is inadequate
If this army is employed withio the limits
of the United States, we are threatened with
war OH our eastern trontIeI--our towns will
be burni---our clues sacked. Can the gen.
ticrnan estimate the patriotism Of frcemen,
less than the obedience ol slaves Is the
physical force OF the owner OF the American
soil, less than that OF the mercensry hire
ling Of Europe Do you doubt ? Call up The
great spirits oil the PARROT de4d-appeal TO
the unbrokcn valour of The iiying--to those
men, the sterling excellence OF whose vir
tues bore them tsiunphant through the une-
quallcd horrours OF the revolution lie could
net believe that seven hunarcI thousand iree-
men In arms were inadequate to sustain any
war, in defence OF their JUST and dearest
rights.
But it is said, f cur means and physical
force were adequate 10 the war, our object
cannot be obtained by il. Mr.. w. said lie
thought othe wise. Itappsared to him, much
easier TO settle the terms oi anew peace, than
to patch up the old quarrel. When he con-
sidercd the limited extent Of our demands, and
the nature of the pressure on the enemy, he
could not but believe ouI objects would be
,ttA d., apIe III "a
have We been SO long seeking, rather beg
gns for we have begged negotiation !!
Truly, MIR. Speaker, in two short wcsds,
hands OIL !" We ask--no, sir, we never
have asked of her any boon, any sacrifice
whatever. Hands od is the only term o.
stipulation that we sue for fulfilled, she
would bind this nation TO her fate. But what
is the nature OF the pressure and injury that
we can inHict They are to her deep and
dangerous. We also must suffer but, thank
God, We can stand it. The appetite OF re-
vcnge Is keen and steady it, most men, IN
eXunguishable. 1t WAS not wanting, however
It may have been provoked, to enable indivi-
dual cnIerprize to wage a war, ii not OF alb
soute ruin, certainly of vitai injury TO her
commerce, not only " before our doors" in
the West-lndies, u.der The heights OF Dover,
but - the indian Ocean. Deprive the West
Indies oi tt supplies Of our necessaries OF
life sad oil lumber. add thcir profitable culti-
yation wouia be ls3 much diminished, not to
be considered. taae our raw materials from
her manufactures, ppa taey are injured, not
merely 10 the amount OF rle eahanccd price
OF such articles, but to ',s, entire loss Of their
whole exports 10 this countiy. Is such an
injury too ,rfiing for he- confederation The
conquest OF her North American co,onies,
too, must bs felt. Yes, sir, con ics,-~-ior
they must inevitable, fall. The gentleman
may dePrecate the physical force Of dn A
meric4n army as much as he pleascs; put re-
" upen u, whenever the storm Of war is
poured on Canada aud Halifax, it viii sweep
with the rcsistiess impetuosity of Niagara.
But, ii you wage successful war, says the
gentleman, the army will proOabiy ovc.tnOw
the constitution, as none but Gea. Washing
ton could have prevented the army of the re-
voiution from subvcrting the liberties it had
conquered. Mr.. w. declared tha, obser,a-
ton was TO him truly painful hs wished
such an ins,nuation, against such an army,
could have bcen spared. Sir, that army was
true 10 the core. 1t is not probable tha, such
u band OF patriots, The only army that ever
did give h6ersy to country, could have i'm
agineG its destrpc,ion. To this fact, the let
tcrs OF Newburg were conclusive. Those
letters were alone wanting, TO hntsh the puri-
ty OF its character. Suppose there were too,
or even three traitors in camp, does it fol.
low chat the whole army must necessarily be
polluted No, sir. So far was he from be-
levng the liberties of the country were In
danger from the army. he would say. there
never was a period, during the whole revolu-
tienary war, when the great Washington
himself, Justly as he has been described,
"tbe sanctuary of a nations's best laws, could
have been successful usurper. 1t was as
impossible, as that such a black project
should enter his virtuous mind. He felt the
profoundest gratitude, even alteration if 1t
were ,ustihabie for man, 10 thar incs,imablc