The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-04-13

REMARKS
offered f5r The consideration Of tie Freemen
of Rhode -Iskand.--No. a.

IN examining the letters of james and Bro'cn, we
have seen striking instances OF gross ignorance and
vile hypocrisy. But these are not all ihe letter OF
our present Governor, Uiiam Jones, places beyond
doubt, what has often been declared favorite
object OF the leading federasts, namely, to vest an
power in the wealthy, and ensave the unfortunate
poor or in other words 10 make the rIch stu richer,
constitute them Dukes, Earls, Lords, &c and give
them alone the privilege OF votne' ana OF hoiauB
Offices; while the poorer class OF society are TO be
deprived of everv right of reemen, and made tenants
and hired iabourers to their athuent and naughty
masters lie expressly declares decided "opposi-
Tim 10 boyerfy" and exhors his friends to join him
and be faithful in the righteous war.
Here is manifest disclosure OF iederai Views-an
exhibition to some of these abominable things TO
which the secret aim Of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
is directed. Poverty is TO be persecuted-indigence
10 be kicked out of doors. Virtue, honesty and
talents are of 10 esteem with the uemagogues OF
this faction Personal merit has no charms IN their
jaundced eyes Riches, riches alone can make
man worthy These can raise him to high renown---
these entitlc him to universal homage. To be de-
pendent upon poor man for voteis, with item,
signal disgrace II detracts from their selfcreated
dignity, and deeply wounds their bloated pride.
IL is certain that the federalists would, II pract-
cable, curta the right OF suffrage lheir own eh-
guarded language bears strong witness against them
] heard, not long since, genuine disciple of tie
IIamtonian school roundly declare, mat no man
ought TO have a vote unless he was worth ten thou
sand dollars" But the poor devil' seems, at
this moment, to have forgotten that he Was not
worth half that sum, and, OF course, were ina, 20
be the case must fall back among the number OF the
dsfrancbised. But to accomplish this detested pur-
pose, is not, perhaps, Immediately In their power.
An attempt This kind, at present. they are fuiy a
ware would be impohtc. Time rs required to carry
the contemplated plan into execution lhe lessen
ing Of the privilege Of voting cannot be done sud
denly. II must be brought about gradually, and in
an imperceivable manner.
The greatest vigilance is, therefore, required to
obviatc the effects of this medltateG design The
Argus eyes OF the people must be constantly open
to prevent the execution OF this diabolcal scheme
All who have now the right of voting, are conJured
to watch, with the utinsst caution, every act and
movement of a federal Legislature. For every step
the tederaiists take every law they pass will assr-
edy be in consonance to those secret principles
which have occupied their souls from The commence'
mont Of national independence .-Freemcn, the
power is now yours. Keep it in your hands. Ii
y6u sleep upon your posts, you will be taken by sur
prse-1o you whose freehold estates are but small,
to you, in particular, the genius OF liberty raises
warning voice. Guard your sacred rights. Surrender
them not but with your lives Permit no domincering
lords to rob you of the privilege OF suffiage-per-
init no licentous hand TO riyet upon your necks the
CALLING CHAINS of slavery.
How, it may possibly be asked, shall we prevent
the mcditatcd evil The means are very easy. You
yet enjoy the invaluable immunity of bestowlng your
vote on whom you please You yet can uncontrol-
led bestow your fvors upon the candidates tor office
YOU deem the most worthy and whose greatest eXer
tons you Know VIII be directed to the promotion Of
your interests and political welfare Exercise, with
wisdom and discrimination, this right, and you
are safe Exercise. with dscernment, this priyi-
lege, purchased W the blood of your fathers, and
you may preserve the franchise 10 remotest genera
tons.
The frequency of elections is blessing you can
not too highly prize. This affords you opportu
nifty OF arrestng the progress of error and njudicous
poicy-this, by displacing those who are plotting
the destruction of your liberty, enables you to pre-
h,ioa,e those privileges which, to you, of
more value than the shining gold of Cphir, or Col
conda's gGttering gems. You may thus always
Danish guilt and corruption from your Legislative
councils, and cause the hydra monster which seeks
your Emancipation, and the establishment of monar-
chy to hide his hdeous head in confusion, shame,
and despair"
You have seen the moharchic principles Of Wi'iorr
JoRcs lie stands condemned at the bar of public
opinion. His own words bear testimony against him.
lie has urged combination against the poor--a-
gainst those freemen, whose real estates are but
barely sufficient, according to the present unjust
laws, TO enfranchise them with the privilege of
ting. He has urged an oppnston TO the rights and
interests of that portion Of frecmen who honestly
their bread with the sweat Of their brows. 1t
therefore becomes your duty TO oppose him. Will
n man foster serpent in his bosom Although it
appear mild and gentle at first it will eventually
sting him to death. Jones' is malignant enemy to
your privileges lie only wants the power and OPP
and he would PROSTATE them in the dust
Beware, therefore, how you put your trust in him.
The executive chair of The State is too important for
such foe to freedom to ill--it is too responsible
a station for such an enemy Of the common people
to hold Ifhe can but find coadutors ne viii quickly
subvert the rights of all but the grown rich
Easy will be the task. when he has gained over to
his side majority of the legislature, to pass law
allowing no man to vote but such are in posses
sion ot great estates. You may then awake to a
sense OF your situation in vain. The day Of liberty
will be past and you may quietly sit down beneath
the wrongs of arbitrary power.