The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-11-16
MISCELLA LANY.
For The Rhods- Island Rshu5iean.

cious observations written by Solomon South
wick, Esq. (said TO be a federalist,) and pub
lished in the Albany Register, which paper is
edited by that gentleman.
"The recent movements in the Legislature Of
Massachusetts Csays the Albany Resisier] have at
tracted the serious attention of all rejecting men,
throughout the Union. The report OF Mr. Otis, IN
conformity to which Delegates have been chosen Tor
the proposed convention at Hartford, IS already IN
possession of our readers and We now present them
with the protest of the minority, against the adop
ton of that report We frankly confess that we
joce to see this protest. speaks, in our, opinion.
the language which ought to How from the lips and
pen Of every orator and statesman in New-Engiand,
and throughout the Union. The idea OF separation
OF of any tending to result so swfui,could
not, even in the calm of peace be contemplated but
with horror by any mind sensbly alive to the future
destiny of the United States. But in the midst OF
war, in which powerful aud arrogant Zoe has evin-
ced disposition to strip us OF portion OF our coil,
60 prohibit the right OF erecting fortihcations on
our frontiers, TO reduce US 10 the Illumination oil De-
holding his armed vessels sailing proudly upon
our inland while no armed vessels Of ours shall
be permitted to touch those waters--in such time,
and when nsulted by such propositions, and 9th .rs
equally degrading by foreign foe, appears to US,
that the plan Of New England Convention, holding
out to that foe the evidence OF our being divided
people. originates in spirit of enthusiasm border
ing upon madness and which, If not checked by the
sober reflection of w-England, may aud indeed
will deluge the land in the blood OF its native sons,
shed by their own hands, in the blind fury OF civil
commotion
'se must know little Of the past, and posses tut
small share Of discernment, who thinks that flame
kindled in the east, will stop short of extending to
the west that it will be checked by the waters of
the Hudson, to rage till the borders OF the
Lakes, the banks of the ST Lawrence. the Ohio and
the Mississippi, and the widely extended shores of
4. oil he Ioft
20 deplore it's terrible effects. Let then, every cti-
tizen of New England, who loves his country set his
face against every revolutionary moyement---let
him know Of no party but his country and harbor
no hostility but against the common foe. This is
the dictate of sefinterest tor losing all sight OF
patriotism and beneyoence, both of which plead pow
'erfully for moderation in the present state OF
country 1; and still no man Of sense would wish to
risk his property in a revolution, and surely no man
of honor would wish to jeopardize that OF his neigh
bors--For our own part we have but little to loose
but to those whose possessions are large and
10 the eve of rapacity, and who wish to preserve
those possessions their posterty, we say, beware
of anarchy, beware of plunging into the tempest
Nous sea" Of revolution beware OF opening the
fools gates of passion, Of extending the flames Of
bigotry and prejudice Remember the tate OF
Charles and of Lewis Remembers the rump-parliament,
and the bloody convention aud beware of blindly
pulling down. like Sampson, the pillars OF the Con-
stitution. unless, like him, ye are willing to be bn-
red under the ruins"
Let the sagacious remarks and warning
voice of Mr.. Southwick arrest the mad career
of those rebellious demagogucs, who already
In Imagination ride in the car OF state, WELD
ing the sccptre and controlling the destiny os
their new created kingdom. Already hall OF.
Mr.. Sou,hwick's predictions are verified
Plans are now forming to organize counter
conventions. Towns are to be invited TO
elect delegates to meet i'm sole mn convention
in the state--the state convention is 10 elect
from its own body, delegates to meet others
from other state conventions---this .ast gene
raj convention, formed from the several state
conventions, are to devise such measures as
NAV seasonably arrest this avowed aud daring
scheme of rebcllioh Shall these state co.-
yen,ioos proceed, and organize and support
themselves by arms If it be legal for iegis-
latures 10 appoint, delegates to meet in con-
vention, how much more so are conventions
formed by the people! They speak the voice
and Impulse of the people. ne appointment
of delegates by saslauces is certainly un-
preceden,ed, and believed by many TO be un.
constitutional, abd an arbitrary and tyrannicai
stretch OF power. Have the people In Sheir
Irrespective towns been consulted by their ser
wants; appointed as members OF the assembly !!
No, never LII it be legal for the legislatures
of the states to resist the laws OF the general
government, to seize upon ITS revenue and
coavert il TO its own use-Ait is more than le-
gal, it is right, it is an imperious duty they
owe to themselves, that the several towns re-
sist the laws Of the state legislatures, seize
upon It's own revenue raised within their own
precinct, and convert it 10 their own use.. Ii
she legislatures deny TO the general govern
ment the right and prohibit them the exPen.
di,ure of the taxes collected in their respec-
tive states, and il is not rcbellion-so may
each town in each state prac,ice upon the
same pt:u, iple, for 4, is nog rebellion. The
several states POSSESS certain rig hts, that they
never delegated to the general government"
SO the several towns in each state possess