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

monsh Us OF the iuture.--The FIVE eastern States
send foryone members TO the House of Repre- sen,a
tyes ia Congress, OF which this State sends two in
the confederacy, therefore, 10 be Termed by
the said five States, this State only hope for a.
bout twentieth part of the power In either house
or Departmental the Government--whereas this
State enjoys an eighteenth part Of the power in
the Senate of the United S,ates.-ihis State would
therefore make bad bsrgaia 10 put off the power
in possession for that 10 be expccted-lhere-
by also exchanging the protection Of eighteen States
for that Of five.
T. The proposed confcderacy could not confde in
the faith of its urembers, after the ach Of faith in
which It must have originated; so that in another
scramble, to be expected Boston or Mas
sachusetts might grow uneasy, the weaker States
must fall prey to the stronger, and then farewell
Rhode-Isand.
g. Gen Washington told us, that the Constitution
which he presented to us, was the result OF spr-
it Of any and Of that mutual Difference aud conces-
sion which the peculiarly of political situation
rendered indispensable" "-Massac husetts has most
evidently lost that spirit of am,y and mutual defer
ence and concessions; At SO, as il time for this
State TO commit itself to her mercy? She contains
within her boundaries nearly doabe the territory Of
the other four eastern States and her population
Is nearly equal TO all theirs together it is easy
to that the people of that State viii in crease,
TO give law TO the other four States by sheer
voting; and be more dangerous 70 their liberties,
than Virginia any other State ever can be to the
present Union. viii ne " promise from that State
be better than the old one If she is not contented
with the equivalent obtained OF the Southern States
for the increase OF their representatives, according
TO the Constitution, Rhode-lsands equivalent, by
vote in the Senate equal to that of Virginia, should
satisfy US, and keep US from submitting 10 become
'cats,p pazv for Massachusetts.
g. The proposed meeting at Hartford bears the
garb and complexion OF sedton, insurrection, rebel
hon and treasonA reason, or complaint, or threat,
from FIVE States in Convention, is no stronger than
ufra nn,a hxrt tba
dated force OF five States is to become the dernier
resort And a civil war would be poor relief from
our present sutferings. i9
10. The same class of citizens who complained so
loudly, thai the United States had the hardihood to
vindicate their rights against Great Britain, at time
when she was actually engaged in war for her exis-
tence as nation, seize the present critical moment,
when the United States are engage! in war tor
their existence, to compel this nation to yield them
by a revision OF the Constitution, what they could
not obtain IN It's formation, and what they never de-
manded in time Of peace-And all this under threat
OF Withholding from the general government, their
proportion OF the public expences, and thereby dis
tracing, confounding and embroling both rulers
and people and rendering more easy prey TO
our enemies.
II. The proposed convention, by holding out 10
The enemy further evidence of the deadly teuds Of
party divisions among u.s. tends to defeat our nego-
Cations tor peace, and 10 spirit our enemies in the
prosccu uton VI the war :--Dyide and conquer is an
old maxim Our divisions. there is reason to be.
heve, induced The British aggressions originating
the war-our divisions emso!dtn them to continue it;
and nothing but our divisions can prevent success
ful aud glorious termination of il.
IL Finall.--this Legislature is not authorized by
the Constitution or laws of the land, to appoint and
send abroad missionaries for the purpose specified
-nor to devolve on them any power, or to apply any
of the public monies to reward such isfionsties oi
a.-.jces or expences such business, nor any oih
,.''Si ,innaua tinp the CoDSi
tuition OF this naton-or for obsructng Opposing
the regular execution of the public viii.
Thomas Mann, Jereniah Knighf, Samue
HohkinsJr. Christohher Harris, SamI. Graves
Samaet ~. King, Es60a Sanford, Ehshd
Steere, Chad. Saytes, Thomas Bro7vn, Georg'
Field, .dtanson Peckham, Benz Ho7vland, Is
aac Barker, Thomas .dHrn, Joseph Iisdaie
Ro6erf CrandaH, George Weeden, Wm. James
James Otney, John Estern, Elisha 4Nasshesoson
November 5, 1919.
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