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

ment. Unless thoroughly done away, they
will be stain on the national character. IL
is not the least OF our national misIortuncs,
that the strength and character Of our army
are thus impaired. Familiarized TO the hor-
rid scenes of savage cruelty, it can no longer
boast OF the noble and generous principles
which dignity soldier. Nolooger you sym
pathize with the dignity of the royal banner,
nor feel the pride, pomp and circumstance Of
glorious warfare, which makes ambition vir-
tue. What makes ambition virtue The
sense of honor. But is tho sense OF honor
consistent with the spirit of plumber, or the
practice Of murder Can it flow from mer-
cenary motives, or can it prompt to cruel
deeds {" But though this extraordinary man
could not be answered, he could be voted
down. The practice OF plumber and murder
prevailed, aud il has continued to prevail, un-
til British soldier is transformed TO an inhu-
man and unfeeling rufian, aud the nation has
retrograded to natisn of barbarians. Is II
true that their barbarites cannot be restrain.
ed Then why arc they employed! But the
manner the war has been conducted by our
Indians, which self defence has brought into
our employ, proves that Britain encourages,
instead of restraining, their crnelties.
But distinction is attempted in this Re-
port, between an offensive and defensive war.
. If, as you say, the war is unjust, and you
have a right to refuse your aiG in its prosecu.
,ion, how happens it that you have righl to-
defend the soil ! IF the enemy is the Injured
party, it is his right to ehastise us, and avenge
the injury. And what authorizes you TO screen
yourself from his righteous indignation, by
fleeing to your own territory Sir, the law OF
nature affords no man refuge from Justice.
If the municipal law authorizes man 10 de-
fend his castle, it is for the furtherance of
heace, bot not of justice. Upon your hypo
thesis, therefore, you have no right to defend
your own or your neighbor's property. The
erronsous ground you have taken will lead
you into thousand such absurdities. Your gov
ernmcnt has declared war.-That alone is re-
sponsiSle for its justice. The people are JUS
tilted, and it is their duty TO prosecute il in
such way and manner as the constitutional
managers Of the war shall direct. 1t Is often
prudent and proper, and the bes, means of
defence, to carry tho war into the cncmy's
country. Will any one undertake to say that
the invasion Of Canada by Gen. Brown, was
not the most effecsual plan Of defensive oper.
alton which could have been ado 80. 49,
co,IJ ,h;. Ls,a .r .-----y-yho have acquired
such ncver.fading rcnown, have better dc.
Tended Our territory And, cir, had we an
army of sixty thousand men in Canada at this
time, it would effec,ually draw the enemy
from our Atlantic frontier, and we should be
no more exposed to their depredatiohs.
You complain that Massachusetts is left de-
fenceless. At the commencement of the
war, fofty.one companies Of militia, force
at that time adequate to the defence OF the
State, was required by the President and re-
fused by the Governor and upon the unpre.
cedented and alarming ground, that the gov
ernors Of the States have the exclusive right
to decide svhen and to zohaf erfeat the militia
shall be placed 10 the service of the general
government. A more direct infraclion Of
the constitution has never been made sinte
it's odoftion.---In a part too which goes TO the
destruction Of the strength and energy the
system. You took the defence of the State
out of the hands of :he general government.
You would not permit them to decide on the
danger. You refused them the means to re-
pei it, and now, forsooth, you complain that
you are left defenceiess. But the regular
troops enlisted within your State, you claim
for its defence. What, cir, those enisiments
which you have lsbored necessarily to pre-
cent Those soldiers whom you have scan.
dalized, insulted and abused Those officers
/ whom you have degraded, caricatured, ne
elected anc despised Surely you would have
none of those to defend you. Would you
have troops of other States These, you
would sag, were sent to dragoon you into sub.
mission, TO trampls upon your liberties. And
you would say, as one of your pulpit inccndi-
aries has said, /" rather lay your bones by tho
side Of your fathers than to suffer southern
troops to enter the borders of New. Engions.'' :
The truth is, you expected that sa6n'ission
wosld tame the enemy 10 forbearance and die
erimnarion. Disappointed in this, you face
a6ouf. The Governor lays aside his constitu.
tional serupIes, and in contempt OF the SOL
cmn opinion of his kedrned judges, places the
militia under an officer Of tho United States.
Now Boston must be defended Now other