The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-09-14

the City of New-York, delivered to them On the 5lh
inst.
Gentlemen Of he Grand Jury,
The situation of our country renders II nec-
essary 90 devote our undivided attention TO It's
protection. Duties Of paramount obligation
will justify Us in adjourning this Court, IN or
der that we may with our best means, and to
the full extent of our faculties, exert our selves
for the public defence.
We shall therefore, Gentle men, dispense
with your further attendance but we cannot
permi, this opportunity to pass by without ex-
: horting yon, and through you the great body
of our fcllow-ciuzens, 10 act with that wisdom
and energy, with that lortltudc and patriotism,
which this most important Crisis demands,
and which the most sacred and imperiou,
considerations require and surely an occasion
SO extraordinary will wars ant deviation from
abe usual routine Of judicial proceedings, with
out duplicating Us IN a violation OF official
Lecorun.
Notwithstanding the dark cloud which
hangs over our country, there Is nothing IN
the events which have occurred, or IN the pros
pect before US, which ought 10 create despair,
IL we are faithful TO ourselves. The seat OF
our National Government has been taken, and
the enemy will no doubt follow up his advan-
tages but IL is not here as il generally Is In
other countries the fall OF the Capital will
not produce the prostration OF the county.
lts energies remain uDimpaired It's resources
IN iull vigor; and all tha, Is requisite is, that
the spirit of the nation should ascend TO the
emergency OF The pressure, and that its ply
sical strength should be properly arranged
and skilliully directed.
Whatever diversity OF opinion may exist
with regard TO the original character OF the
war, We must all agree that II has now become
on our part a war of defence. The enemy
has officially announced his intention 20 destroy
and lay waste such of our atlantic towns and
cities as are exposed to his attacks. The ex"
actions on Alexandria, and the smoking ruins
of the national edl6ces al Washington, admsn.
ish US oi what we are TO expect il we shall
meanly succumb or inglorously retreat. In
such a cause, involving our personal character,
the welfare Of our families, the prosperity OF
our country, and the honor OF the nation, II
becomes us not 10 hesitate about our coui Sc.
Whatever we may think, or whatever we may
have thought OF men and measures, whether
favorab!y or unfavoraby, there can be, there
ought to be, no difference of opinion, no col.
lission of action, when the safety of our coun-
try is at stake. For her sake, for tho sake of
oil that IL near and dear 10 us, let US sacrifice
upon tho altar Of patriotism, every feeling,
every passion, every prejudice, every predil.
cction, that may enfeeble resistance and i'm
pair exer,ion.
For this purpose, it 10 necessary, absolutely
necessary, that there should be at least truce
10 the animositics of party ;Atha, We should
Join band and heart in the great work OF pat
hat tve hnp p,er all
personal, all local, all party considerations, in
the great duties we owe to our country. Ii
this is done with zeal, and in good faith, we
have nothing to apprehend. This State alone
can furnish 100000 men capable of bearing
arms. If but portion of this force is brough,
into action, under iudicious guidance, We Can
easily repel all hostile attacks; but it, instead
Of putting our shoulders to the wheel, we call
upon Hercules Tor assistance If we rely upon
the energies of others, and not our own II,
like the men Of Athens, we so about enquiring,
what news instead of acting with vigor and
il, like the Jews of old, when the sacred city
was besicge6, we commit ourselves to the
furies of civil discord, instead Of warning
against the common ehemy; then, indeed,
will we be unworthy of the name of Ameri
cans, and Of the rights OF freernen; then will
shc hand OF divine vengeance be upon US; and
then will the sun of American glory, which IL
now rapidly descending TO the horizon, Sc
In clouds and darkness, and be cxtinguishcd
forever.
Let US, then, exhort you, when you go from
this place, to prepare yourselves tor the crisis
TO arm and to discipline yourselves for the dc
fence OF your country, and TO encourage al,
within the sphere Of your influence, TO follow
your example. If any OF you have pledged
your lives, your fortunes and your sacred hon
or, IN the supper, Of the present contest, lie
me tell you, IL is high time you should redeem
your pledge; ard If any Of you have not, Let
me also tell you that il is sacred duty TO
make yourselves ready for the sacrifice when.
ever IL shall become necessary.
Besides preparing yourselves for personal