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


& an destroy the charter Sir, the position is
"a wrong oac--a dangerous hereby, calculated
10 deceive and easnare the people, and to draw
them from their allegiance TO the goveramcut,
III contradicts our own acts for we have
sworn TO support this very Constitution, long
siace it has become void Ivy Legislative infrac-
zion.
can we'll perceive the grounds of all the
complaints against the Constitution. Ii op-
crates to keep the minority from controlling
the majority. I would enquire Of gentle men,
If in their new or amended Constitution they
would provide for obtaining the fret Offices
of the nation, az ainst the will OF the majority?
If not, the amendment will not suit their pur-
-poses-Aad they have even divuigcd their
feelings and wishes on this subject, which is
nothing more nor less than that they cannot
expect to get into Offices under the present
Constitution, aud they therefore want a new
one. suppose it Mr. MADISON woeld re-
sligo, gentlemen would withdraw their pro-
positions for amending the Constitutions.
This plan was the first which was projected,
but as il did not 60 far enough, or for some
other reason, il seems 10 be suspended to give
place to this report. We admit the attempt
TO discard the peoples suers, or compel
them to resign, is very madesf one. 1t
serves to amount to this" We believe this
war to be most wicked and abominabc, that
Great Britain is right aud the United States
arc totally wrong nevertheless, If you, who
are the majority, will give the rcins to as,
let Us have the President and all the Offices,
and fall into the ranks and labor for as, we will
believe this wicked war to be most righteous,
aud will use all our endeavors TO make it ter
inmate most prospcrously and gioriously--
Il ,t,o
be converted into a" war party" we will con-
descend TO take your preparations, your army,
yoas navy and your services, assume all your
victories and triumphs, give you all the dis.
asters, aud at last take all the profit, honor
and glory of an equitable peace to ourselves
1t is strange that gentlemen did not pursue
this iirst PLAN and make this modest applica-
tion to Nc. Madison and his friends, But,
sir, IL this had beea done, and Mr.. MADISON,
as Inc undoubtedly would, had grati6ed Massa-
chusetts ia this small request, and had the
icc-Prcsident, and the President of the
Senate isvo sens, and the Speaker Of the House,
who are to FL! the vacancy in succession, COM
piled and fnrthcr, had Congress. to CRAFTY
these same getlemen, been SO complaisant, as
60 appoint Speaker to act as President, who
should 6e perfectly agreeable TO these gcntlo-
men, il is doubtful whether they would get
along much better than we do. There is 30
doubt every little skirmish would be magn-
fed iuto victory, and every thing which is
now disaster or Of doubtful character, would
wear very difereat appearance. Should we,
however, judge from events, it is very doubt
fui whether Massachusetts military skili is
superior To all the rest of the world Wher-
ever the epea aay has made any attempts against
Governor Stroag's territory, hc has succeed
ed, except two smslt posts AZ the west the
only territory fcous which the enemy has not
Aecn dfiyen,is in Massachusetts,.
Rat the most alarming view in which con-
sidcr this report is that is holds out cocour-
agcment to the caemy. DO not feac that
YOU will dare TO carry auy plan OF disunion TO
ex,reu,ities--t avn satisfied that the course
you are pursoiag is the most destructive to
your party-But DO apprehend that this
chow Of sdisunion, will encourage the hopes
OF our eaemy and remove fac the hopes Of
pcacc. let these measures be known at Client
pending tue aegociations, and it won!d be the
eneans Of suspeuding If not Utterly tcrminat-
Jag thcm. Its impossible to believe that
yeatlcmen can expect any benefit 10 the coun-
try from these strange proceedings
But gentlemen should take care, Meas
urcs whase design is innocent may ripen into
treason. The moment your siaecatanons grow
into aefion you pass the Ra5ieoa. The blood
!, OF your fellow citizeas must aowsand brother
must be arrayed Aga ainst brother. Your situa-
sion is therefore exceedingly critical, You
stand on a precipiee, the ground rembcs un.
}, dee your feet, advance one step and you plunge
into the abyss below and are lost forever.
Ambition has destroyed every other repub-
lie. In times Of distress and danger, factious
men rise out Of the times. rncir reasons
are plausible, theie accents hoaied and their
views hrefessediy patriotic. They well know
that in such times the people may be inclined
to listen to schemes of repoit, under the name
osrcora. Aud in time of wara crafty enemy
.x,.tl ,vatrh their m vs nents with n critira