The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-08-20


4ulred The strong arm Of the national govern
ment to qucll its iawlcss and desolating fury
Permit me 10 adt-those who deliberately o.
figinate and aid insurrecton by setirous re-
solves are NJ all times anenable TO the laws
tor the consequences, and generally more
guilty in .foro ccnsciencias than the inconsider.
ate rabble whom they instigate to murder and
treason. 1t is well known to many tha, in the
case of the Pennsylvania insurrcc,ion, cxpc-
diency, rather than principle, dictated the
,unishment of its leaders IN arms, instead of
the leaders in those resolves which preceded
and produced il. Ii should also be borne in
mind tha, gover4nent 10 armed with power
for its own preseiya,ion that il is the duty
Of magistrates who hold nor me syuord in RAIN
To max. themselves a terror 10 evil doers,a
a hraise 10 those gvho do sveH, by checking all
mischief plotted against the state in its bud
Other considerations of momcntous i'm.
port have become connected with the subicc,
VI our present debate.
To those who have been converssnt will
our public journals, it is needless To observe
shat separation of the States IS sugges'cd Al
ylc Of The objects of the proposed cony .n,ion
Suppose far msssent a srgA,aiio1 vcs.
eHeeteci--wouid any OF the objects for which
those who are new dissatisfied contend be az
tened Divided end weakened at home
should we gain respect abroad Would our
favorite commctce be more likely 10 thrive
under The new restrictions which might be
is9poscd in the pofts Of the government we
bAd dr 6ed and deserted, and under the bur
lIlens which must be imposed TO support ths
expenses OF the new government Would
the darling object Of our hear,s---peace with
foreign nations, and above all, peace among
ourselves---bc secured ?--Most certainly W.
should realize no one oi lhese objects, bu
the sad reverse.
1t is not to bs presumed a separation oeths
states will be effected without struggle. The
conflict will excite, and mutual collisions per
petuatc, animosities between the different sec
tions--E ach will find Jealous and irreconci
liable enemy in the other. The weaker viii
naturally call in the aid Of the first foreign
power which shall offer its services to protec
itself against the stronger and this forcigr
power will be sure to avail itself OF the oppor
lunity of subjugating both. Should foreign
nations leave us to ourselves, our situation
might be still more deplorsble. In the dis.
affected states number too large to be dcs
pised would rally under the standard of th'
Union. Suppose them put down for tim,
by your superior force and separation &C
complished A new government must theI
Be formed.--new and unusual taxes must b,
;evied for its support. Clashing interests viii
arise, and dissffcc,ion increase every step 20,
sdysnce-The majority may, as on former oc
cssions, be compelled to give place to the mi
Doriiy, and the turbulent passions Of both be
come more and more excited at every change
Local interests will govern and local dis
,inctions be made in the new confederacy
D.union will be the order Of he day. Th.
example oi separation will be followed upon
smaller scale, from states TO counties and from
counties TO towns, till every mans hand vii
he raised agairs, his neightur,and the bonds o
society cut asunder in every portion oithe com
nunty. need no, add that every stage o
this down hill course will be marked with
blood
Let me urge you, my fellow citizens, in the
name Of all you hold most dear TO yourselves
and your postsrity, to pause and reflect at this
point Of departure, before ysu take the fatal
step which may lead to irreirievable ruin and
disgrace. Let me urge one other considers-
i,op upon those gentlemen who stand high In
character and strong in their connexions
md shall have done Should such men, tu
whom the community look for example, pur'
sue the course, which shall never cease tc
raise my voice to my feIIow.eitizens and tc
heaven 10 avert--let me admonish them that
ihey Gu, up the very ground on which they
stand assl opsn a pit for their own and their
country -ruet;on