The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-05-27
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AMERICA.-Exac,iy as we have long
foretold our readers, the war with America
gains strength by its continuance, aud the
spirit of our transatlaSaic brethren, in confor.
nifty with the spirit of genuine republicanism,
rises with every succeeding miscarriage or
defeat We were not wrong in our conjec-
ture that the capture Of British man of war
by captain Hull would operate as stimulous
10 the Americans, and urge them TO enter in
to formidable competitor with our nava,
power. Since that unfortunate event, anoth-
er .humilating incident has occurred in tho
capture OF the Macedonian, one Of the largest
and finest friRatss in our service, by the Uni
ted States frigate, after a hard fought and
bloody contest ia which we suffered Sonsid-
sfable loss. Accustomed as VIC have hither-
to been 10 loud and uninterrupted tide Of
success upon the watery elements, ind claim
ing an absolute and exclusive sovereignty oy-
er the ocean, TO be defeated there, where we
securely rested our proudest hopes and wish
cs, might reasonably be expected TO check
our insolence and morrify our pride. In this
view Of the case, and if We could nalter our
selves that 1t would have the effect OF Undue.
ing US to abate somewhat of our unwarranta.
bic pretentons, and listen TO terms Of mod
Grafton and foibearance, Our regret would be
sehsibly diminished since even the nisfor-
tune, severe as il IS, might be converted into
great and lasting benefit 10 the nation AT
large. But the mischief will not conEnc it.
self here tho charm Of. the invincibilty Of
the British navy, like that OF the Grecian war
rior, being destroyed, The terror that has long
preceded our flag, and commanded the abcct
homage OF surrounding hations, will hence
forward be dissipated, aud every maritime
power with whom We may be involved in
war, will fight with redoublcd zeal arden,ly
and anxiously hoping to lower Our ascendan-
cy, and establish the freedom oe the seas. 1t
IS not difficult to anticipate the resnlt and if
what has been stated by an eminent orator 10
our Parliament be true, that &" lis 10 her na-
Udi strength alone that England osves her err
istence, and when she ceases TO be great, she
will be NOTHING !" then Is the period of her
destruction not far distant, and she must be
content to lower her crest, and hold an equal
rank with the inferior and tributary isles Of
the sea. In all our contests with other states,
and in all our calculations Of the future, we
adopt the same high tone, and indulge in the
same presump,uous confidence Of success,
that characterized the ha!cyon days Of our
prospority,when England exhibited the brigh.
effulgence of her towering splentor, and un-
der the wise and patriotic administration of
Our Burleighs, our Godolphins, our Harleys
and our Cha,hams, we scattered the inyinci-
Bile armadas of her conspiring enemies, and
routed the coDfederaled fleets and armies of
Holland, France and Spain. But we must
now learn, painful as is the task, TO forge,
the golden days, or if we cannot wholly obi,-
erxee them from our fancy, think of them as
Of the romantic tales Of ancient times, gone
to return no more /! We must disencumber
ourselves Of those coliy trappings and ictti-
Gus appendages which serve only to remind
us OF our departed greatness and to exhibit
contrast between our ancient glorics and our
present fallen state. a powerful and a rival
nation is now rapidly rising in the wes,,whose
remonstrances we have hitherto deriled, but
whose resentment VIC shall soon he taught to
feel, who for our follies or ocr crimes destin.
ed to retsliate OF us the miscrics we have In
Aicied on defenceless villages and oppressed
states, to share with US the fertile products
OF the ocean, aud s.iatch from our feeble and
decrepid hands the imperial trident Of the
main. IL 10 not that the skill and gslIantry
oil our brave defenders are not as emiDcn,Iy
conspicuous as heretofore, or Ina: their com.
mandcrs are not as well Gtied To lead them
on to victory over their enemies (; no--it j.
that the deadly worm Of corruption, which,.
preying upon the vitals Of the state, has &.
length penetrated TO our floating batteries.
rendering them an iner. and unvielGy mass