The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-07-29
NEWPORT.

hcly Transacted. lhe fatroie ouards which mas
cost nt ary one thousand dollars-the purchase of
lot oi land, at hundred and fifty dollars,
uguous 10 the gao IN Providence--and donation
OF three hundred dollars to few men in the town
OF Providence; all facts notorious, We have al
ready stated. We have now, in addition, to inform,
that tive thousand dollars had, sometime since, been
put at the disposal of the Council of Council
of Peace What part of this latter sum has been
changed for the scandaous Powder which has been
imposed on the militia, We know not; but we doubt
not the money has been expended in that OIL some
other trash. Now If money be thus expended before
the very persons who have been taxed to raise il,
how will il fare when out of the peoples sightl-
This question ought TO be duly considered by every
citizen OF the State
We will new proceed to discuss the next question
in order-Could not part of these expenses have
been avoidedl
We will not trespass on the good sense of the rea
der by entering INTO argumen, TO shew that the mo-
ney expended on Providence gao. and that given to
few men in Providence was unnecessary BY all
men, except those Interested in the benefit of the
donations, II is admitted 20 be ridiculous. We there
fore come at to enquire, whether the force
employed by the State at great expense were OF
any service TO it-but why we have not receiv
ed from the General Government such aid, assist
ance and defence as would supercede the necessity
OF the State OF Rhode-lsand being obliged to draw
from their treasury single cent to apply to purpo-
OF defence!
The Pres.dent of the U. States was authorized by
an act OF Congress to de ach from the militia OF the
several States, 100000 men, who were TO be called
into service whenever the public good might
qure them. Five hundred only of this number were
required OF this State. The men were drafted and
soon after were directed, together with eight hun
dred from Massachusetts, to march to Newport for
the defence of that placebut the Governor of Mas
sachusetts protested against the legality of sending
their militia out of the State. And the ssise Legsla-
ture of Rhodelsland Notwithstanding the U. States
would pay all the expense, declared they would not
employ their militia TO defend their own State
This conduct on the part of Rhode Island the Gene
raj Government has treated with silent contempt -
and in no instance has the President in speaking Of
the rebeliious conduct of the New-England States,
severay, ever noticed this State 1t is evident that
he could pity a weakness that ignorance which
had dictated conduct, and thus excuse, instead
OF Furnishing, our impertinent obsnacy But, say
those who have refused to obey the Law of the Uni
ted States, the demand for the militia uncon-
sttutonal-the constitution provides that the mill
tia shall be called forth only to repe nvasion sup
press nsurrection, and execute the laws of the Un-
ion"-neither of these exigences exist !-Without
entering into argument to shew that we invaded,
or that the militia thus called are to execute
Law of the Union, viz the Declaration of War a.
ganst England, We come at once to say, that the
General Congress the only constitutional judges
when either OF these exigencies do exist. Is there
man SO destitute of common sense as To doubt
this Is there single individual in this country SO
ignorant of the constitution Of the United States -
II there are any such, the first description We would
cover with the veil OF charity-the other we would
invite to inform himself-and as 10 those who
knowingly offend against the purest system with
which the earth blest. we consign them 10
all the miseries they would heap on others.
II evidently was the meaning of the people Of A.
merica, when they abolished the old confederation,
to adopt system which should place under the
troll OF the Congress the physical force of the nation
They had seen the weakness of that plan which
gave no power to the General Congress-but only
permitted them to recommend to the individual
States certain measures, which might or might not
meet with the acquiescence of their Legislatures.
To obviate this and other difficulties, they adopted
the present constitution, solemniy pledgng them
selves sacredIy to obey its dictates. This constitu
ton invests in Congress not only the power OF call
ing out the militia Of the country on certain occa-
sons, but leaves them the sole judges when such
exgences may exist |" reserying to the States re-
sPectively the right of appointing the officers" Of
such militia as may be called for. Now this clearly
implies the negative that other right was invested
or privilege allowed to the State Legislatures.
Who Until what has recently TRANSFERRED, could
have thought forsooth, that fractional part of the
community should presume TO dictate the whole p
Who could have entertained idea that any portion
OF New-England could either have been so base, SO
impudent, or (to put the most excuseablc consruc-
ton possible an such conduct) so ignorant as to re-
fuse to furnish their quota of the national guards for
the national security
But such is the case, that the paramount law of
the land has been, and still is set at defiance. And
blusbingy forced to admit that this State has
been one Of the most obstreperous children OF
kind parent. At the moment that the General Gov
ernment adopted plan for our complete defence,
while they were calling adjoining State to fur
nsh Us auxiliary aid of nearly double our own fsrce,
at that moment the State Legislature declares
that we ryiH not defend ourselues!
Thus are We deprived in great measure Of that
defence, SO promptly, SO providently arranged by
the General Government Thus have we brought
ourselves taxes which will take from the indus
trous poor, that money which should purchase bread
for their children! Thus are we commencing ac-
emulation of evil,-which with Ca step steady as
time, and an appetite keen death" will overtake
and sacrifice US without mercy Nor shall we have
that compacency which just and good men ever
have-that elf we could not command success we
at least deserved it,"
Fellow-Ci,zens! 1t is evident that had we been
true to ourselves We might have been at this mo-