The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-09-17
To be ContiDued.) }
Tom the National hteiHgeneer. &
GOOD OUT OF EVIL.


HOW often have we reason TO be thankful
for the uninten,ionsl good which flows from
the actions of bad men The freedom, that
so happily and pre.cminantly distinguishes US,
as well as the mild and bene 6ccnt religion we
enjoy, owe their existence, IL not entirely,
certainly IN great measure, TO tyranny and
intolerance. few ambitious men, who fan
cied the world 10 have been made exclusively
for them, set up despotism in politics and
religion, denounced all those who did not fall
into their ranks, and mcnaced them with the
sword or the faggot. This is a plain picture
Of old times. 1t was this tyrannical and per-
scouting spirit that founded the American CO.
ionies, and particularly the colony of Massa-
chusetts Bay. Freedom, political and relig-
ious, was the boon for which her hardy aud
intelligent sons endured every rrivaton.
What freedom A liberty 10 act as they plea
scd, without regarding the equal rights and
common interest OF their brethren A liberty
TO violate and oppose laws framed by all for
the bcnef, OF all! A liberty made up Of IL
cen,iousness Was this the object, for whose
possession they resigned their property and
their lives Was il for this, that they fled
from one tyranny, that they might establish
another Their annals announce Far differ
ent char acter. They shew US, in every page,
that they viewed themselves as brethren of
con- mon family, that they Justly considered
genuine freedom as consisting in the mainten-
ancc OF laws enacted by men fairly selected
for that purpose. They know, and their pat
riotsm sl,cws il, that where the empire Of
the laws ends, tyranny begins.
Such were the primcval sentiments Of the
sons of New England, and such the princi-
pies which covered with So bright glory
their revolutionary services.
Such, we believe, are still the sentiments
and principles of grea, majority OF their de-
scendants. They feel the dignity Of their
condition aud rcalizs the important destiny of
their country. They have no consciousness
OF being fallen from the high estate OF their
fathers. They .cl like meR, who have not
merely personal ends in view, but who have
likewise country to protect, national char
actcr TO maintain, government to support.
And above all, they never lose sight OF the
great maxim, that :" united they stand,
divided they fall" This class Of men have
the virtue, aud the physical strength too, Of
that important section of the Union and
should treason start from her hiding place
and aim at the lawless possession of power,
she will infalliby feel the weigh, of their arm.
While, with pride, VIC do justice to this
honorable body OF men, We can no longer
conceal from ourselves the fact, that there
likewise cxis, in that country juntas sf rest.
less and ambitious nen, who, whatever their
motives may be, arc at this moment treadng
close on the path OF treason; not that legal
treason that exposes their necks TO the halter,
but that hod1eof treason that justly exposes
them 10 geneial reprobation. by the Consu.
tuition of the United States "trcason consie,s
in levying war against them, or in adhering
TO their enemies, giving them aid and com
fort" What difference is there, ia Joro con-
seien6e, between the legal treason that iur-
nishcs supplies of men, or clothing, or mon
cy, and the moral treason, that, by rendering
our own government an object OF contempt
and hatred, while that of our enemy IS de-
Tended snd eulogiscd, gives strength ana
power TO the LATER at the expense OF The Tor
mer that, rs far as il can, unnerves tac arr"
OF our strength, and subjects Us to the mercy