The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-05-27
MISCELLANY.
From The National hteifgeneer, May IL.

THE pre:ent crisis IN our affairs exhibits
a curious phenomnon. The habitual friends
of peace, those who view peace as among
the first OF blessings, and who consider much
of the liberty and happiness of nations as de-
pendent upon 1t, are for war while those
who have insisted on the expcdency OF an
occasional if not frequent recurrence 20 war,
are now the STOUT advocates of peace. AS
greater provocation never die exist than G..
Britain has persevered In aforGipg for num-
ber Of past years, with aggravating circum!
stances steadily increasing, it is impossible 10
find rational solution for this opposition, ex-
cept in motives of Partially to Britain, or Of
hostility TO the administration of their own
government. Although there are unqucs-
tlonabiy In our bosom some men who would
willingly sacrifice the interests of their own
country to those of a foreign nation, we be-
lieve them to be SO few in number, and in
significant in influence, as to be altogether
unworthy of notice in national point of view
The motive, then OF this opposition are to be
found in their hostility to the administration
of their government. When we pass in te-
view the measures of our government for the
last twelve yaars, we find that that they have,
7vithout Guy efceEhon, been opposed, wheth-
However deep the interest, or precious the
honor involved in those measures, they have
been vehementy resisted. 1t is true, that
the measure Of opposition has materially diff
fered. In some cases it has been very great,
while in others it has been relatively small
but in no instance has ii been altogether in
termit,ed. On this view of The subject our
surprise is lessened at the opposition now
manifested TO the measures of government,
which we ale forcibly led to consider as the
unavoidable concomitant of a free govern
men, Wherever the goycrnmcnt is free, we
know from experience, there will always ex-
ist an opposition party, made up OF men,
some actuated by honest and dislnleres,ed
motives, and Of others actuated by ambilious,
sordid, md prohigate principles. The latter
class will always be In opposition to vir,uous
government, and they w!ll be sure 10 seduce
into their ranks some men OF the former des-
cription. Thus, IN England, we contemplate
in constant existence an opposition party,who
bitterly inveigh agains, the very measures,
which they support as soon they get into
place. This is considered so much as
thing OF course, that it produces generally
little effect upon the administration. The
same appearance would be presented in the
other sta,es of Europe, did the structure OF
their governments tolerate the avowal Of an
opposition to their measures. What reason
have we TO expect an exemption from the
common lot Of nations However supericur
our political institutions are to those adopted
by any other nation, our experience has shewn
that place and emoumcn, are sought for with
as much eagerness among us as elsewhere
and, indeed, IL is probable, that in proportion
to the liberty enjoyed by nation will be the
eatneslness OF the struggle for power. And
as II Is by prejudicing the people against those
In office, that those out of it expect 10 get IN,
we may calculate upon an uninterrupted OPP
position.
This opposition, with all its effects, is no,
only the price paid for liberty, but in great
measure iis palladium. However unseasona-
bic, therefore, it often is, and even dele
teiious, especially when connected with our
foreign concerns, it is not in the abstract a
Cause OF regret, but when clearly understood
and properly treated is productive Of ultimate
good. IL gives birth to duties in the admin
istraiion, and The majority Of the people, to
the discharge of which il operates as an in.
centisc IN the degree in which i, is displayed
These dulics are TO review the measures con.
,emplated or taken. to weigh dspassionately
the arguments urged against them, to retract
or modify them, ii, on examination, they ap.
pear improper, but TO maintain and enforce
them, if alter such an ordeal, they are found
TO be called Tor by the good Of the community
.ffier saeh an e~aminatien and sueh a jIdg-
menf iu favor Of hle measures krohosed or ia.
kca, the duty 10 crccnfe them as THPERA7ITE.
Ruin and execra,ion would be the mcrited 10,
Of any government tina, did not, undersuch
circumstances, persist in 40 honest and en-
lish,ened policy for II would inevitably lose
the respect, confidence and support cf the