The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-06-10
Political ADisceitanp.



highly interesting and important. History
will note in the annals Of this country, three
remarkable epochus--,hc declaration of ts
Independence IN l776--lhe adoption Of the
United Stales' Constitution in l779---anSl the
Declaration of War against Grea; B,i,ain in
1919 BY the frs, act the foundations of. the
Republic were lsid-by the second its gov
ernmen, was consolidated---by the third the
s'rnglh of that government has been tested
IN the most trying manuer. On this occasion
Opposition, which has hitherto restrained il
self within certain limits, has assumed a new
and wider range. The Union has been
threa.ened--the recruiting service impeded
1.-The negotiation Of looms embarras.cd--the
constitutional military force wi,hhcld--and
every obstacle, short of direct resistance and
open treason, interposcd to defeat the mea-
sures Of government The constitution and
the law have hitherto triumphed over these
obstacles. A powerful army has been enlist.
ed. A loan of an unexampled amouut has
been obtained npon terms the most favorable
10 the public ever known In this country The
refusal of the eastern States 10 detach their
quotas OF militia has induced the necessity Of
raising larger force of efficient troops. The
projects Of faction have recoilcd upon them
seives--and the middle, southern and wes-
tern States present n firm and uailed phaanx,
resolved 10 crush the hrst overt-act which
may be attempted TO carry those projects in
TO effect. In this state of things a new elcc-
ton has taken place, and large majority Of
the members returned to ST. in the present
Congress arc pledged to the prosecution Of
the contest in which we are engaged, until
its ultimate objects are obtained. The sense
of the people has been fairly taken upon the
merits Of the controversy. IN accesAion OF
talents to both sides of the two houses has
the Congress remain unchanged.
What then are the objects OF this contest
We would briefly answer Indemnity for tie
tasf, and security for me future. Indemnity
for aggrcssions upon our vital rights and III.
terests as an Independent. nation--and guar.
an,ee against the repetition Of similar aggres-
sions.--Thc hostile incursions Of the Indian
savagcs---lhe spoliations upon our commerce
--thc impressmeDt Of our seamcn, are the
most important of these agressions.
Foe sAa. cpnscQucQees- Of Indisn hostility, II
is eyidcnt that the British goycrnment can
give us DO indemnify They cannot wake to
Iife the victims sacrificed 10 its internal fury.
Nor can they give US any other guarantee a.
gainst their repetition but the cess;on of Up
per Canada. Ii needs no argument to show,
that our frontier settlers never can be secure
so long as the British fag waves upon the
Lakes, and in The posts situate upon their.
shores. II is plain, that the British govern
ment would not, if thsy could, restrain the
movements Of these uncomfortable sons Of
the wilderness, 80 long as they are allowed to
possess the borders between the territories Of
the two countries. The only question:, then,
are, whether We will deliver the citizens Of
The western States over to their mercIess fu-
fy, and leave to pos,crity alegacy of endless
wars as the frui, OF our mprovidcncc--or
whether we will cut of the source. OF those
wars by Incorporating this province with the
Union.
The choice of the latter alternative, be-
sides the policy above alluded to, combines
the additional advantage Of obtaining compen-
ssion for the spoliation Upon our commerce.
The juSticc of this claim is not less evident
than the wisdom Of insisting upon it. The
sword once drawn, q mere cessation from ag-
gression ought not to be sufficient 70 cause il
to be shsa,hed again. Having once encouh-
tered the perils and sacrifices Of war, IL would
OS snC S4tt VI Aony W H"s~" ~ - H~s~~
without exacting from the enemy the penalty
Of thar injustice which had driven rs to arms.
The security OF the freedom Of our sca-
faring ci,izens from future vioiasion must, Of
course, from an essential stticIe In paciiics-
ton which would be consistent with the safe
~ and honor of the nation The basis Of
such an article was laid BY shc last Congress.
The act passed % this subject oughs,to. put
at restevery doub. which Great Bri,ejn might
| profess to en,eftAin Of the einceriy u out
| propositions TO enter into teciprocsl st!Pr(a<
| tions for the exclusion Of the sesmen ofe&ch
country from the mercantile and oavst eer-
vice Of the other. t,.
Such, then, being the objects Of the war,
! nothing remains bvt TO pursue them with
s,csdincss, unsnin,ny, and sfgW. The rep
nation which our councils had gained before
| the declaration Of war Gs deficient IN sfese
respccts.hss been ehaced. II Is - the .mca-