The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-05-27

THE COMMON CAUSE.

The elections having taken place In all tho
states OF the Union, and the political com1
plexion Of every branch Of the government
being now distinctly ascertaned,wc may be cx-
cused Tor addressing 20 those who differ from
US IN their political views few words by way
OF friendly expostulaion. q Come and Lei US
reason togethct." Let ne lay aside for y
moment the embitteeed feelings OF party, aid
converse as Members Of the great Amefican
Family.
The Nation is at War. All divisions OF
party arising from difference of opi.iion as
10 the cxpcdieney of undertaking the War,
(Which we believe 10 have been necessary.
aud which all honest men Of every party ac-
knowledge TO have been just) would be una
vai'ihg. The dctlara,ion Of war cannot be uns
done Or revoked but by the conclusion Of Y,
peace. The object, therefore, of every A.
mcrican now must be TO prosecute the war
successfully, and to terminate it as speedily az
possible by an honorable Peace.
How arc these great object most likely 10
be attaihed
We answer, by due support Of the coh.
stiiuted authorities ; by Jealous exer,ions a.
suinst the enemy by united hearts, handS
aud voices In support of the war. lrrcsolu-
vitc the assaults OF the enemy decision, tn
ion, and prompiituJe In preparation will keep
him at bay. Nor is an union in cxcrtious to
guard against and rcpe the assault, of an enc..
my that disregards alike the dictates Of hu.
manly and social law, in the le;.. incompa,.
ible with a constitutional opposition 10 those
who administer the Govcrnn,ent. Let the
ballo,box declare your ave sion to the ,neu,
uns arsps e
government. We should have supposed ,hs
60 obviously the dictate Of patriotism, as to bc
an unqucstionable rule OF condnci, bot that q
have just seen, in leading Opposition print
ct promiacnt standing and respectable charsc-
ter, admonition 10 It's readers 10 use their cfJ
forts TO allay ATTY rising irritation against tho
Enemy. Citizens look at that enc my proscA
cutinga relentless warcfare on our North
Western frontier by savage means, and wan!
tony bombarding The peaceful villages on your
shores, without motive OF witnou, justiica4
,ion--and we venture TO say that you will,
with very rare exceptions, turn with contcmpt
from those who, under such circumstances,
recommended to you 10 purchase for your.
self an ignoblc exemption from the poriis Of
war, by refusing TO assist with your physical
force in repclling the foe who rayages your
neighbors' possessions.
Honest men who call yourselves Federal.
lists ! Look 10 the cbnduct of your Governs
ors, where they have dared TO make the cx.
pertinent, IN refusing TO call out the Militia 10
guard sgainst tho. cnemy's apps6ath. Look
at the enyiablc distinction with which,it has
clothed you. The Enemy considers you az
hod.combatants, on whom il would be cruel
to make war--he classes you with women
and childreD--snd his clcmeney and forbcar-
snce spare you. This nagnanin,i,y of ,hs
enemy is great your facticus printers tell
you and therefore you mus, allsy all rising
irritation against him. Are you willing TO be
considered as non-eomEafants in the causc Of
your country We answer for you that you
ac not. Then step forward, comLa, for your
county, and give the lie to your enemy
That you have done 60 already, in many in
stances, by your voluntary participation 10 ex.
pediiions against the Enemy, we freely &C.
knowledge. We ask of you no more than TO
display a magnaDin,ity in council equal 10 tina.
you have shcwn in the field.
Opposition 10 the measures pursued bv
government in fine Of peace is fair il NAV
be wise. Opposilioh TO the declaration Of y
war, with all the talent & influence in your
power, is jus,ihablc and legitimate il may
I've honorable aud laudable. Tut there is 4
vide distinction between such opposition 10
the enactment OF any measures, and opposi-
,ion to its execution after il isa law. Wsr
now exists. lie who opposes Its operation
by physical means, aids the enemy and 10 q
mcnabIc to the law Of u esson,hc who opposes.
IL by discoorsging others from aiding in its
acts iujudeioosly and onwouhily Of citizen
IL Is no, by snfeebing the nerves Of the eoys
eruu<nt, BY rela Z iuu its eooro oics thar he