The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-11-08

which we were threatened, aud that we owed
TO the generosity aud magnanimity OF the
enemy, what we were incapable OF commend
ing by our arms. That msgnanimiiy would
have been the theme OF every tongue, and OF
every press abroad and al home. We should
have retired unconscious Of our own strength,
and unconscious of the utter Inae'h,y OF the
enemy, with his whole undivided iorce, TO
make aoy serious impression upon US. Our
military character, then in the loves, state OF
degradation, would have been ubretrieved.
Fortunately for us, Great Britain chose TO try
the issue of the last campaign. And the is
sue of the last campaign has demonstrated,
in the repulsc before Baltimore, the retreat
from Plattsburgh, the hard fought actiors on
the Niagara frontier, and in that most glor-
ious day, the Sth of January, that We have al
ways possessed the finest elements of military
composition, and that proper use OF them
only was necessary TO ensure tor the army
and militia, fame as imperishasle as that
which the navy had previously acquired.
Another point which appeared to Mr.. G.
20 afford the highest consolation was, that we
fought the most powerful nation, perhaps, in
existence, single. handed and alone, without
any sort of alliance. More than SO years had
Great Britain been maturing her physical
me ans, which she had rendered as efficacious
as possible, by skill, by discipline, and by ac-
tusl service. Proudly boas,ing OF the con.
quest of Europe, she vainly hattered herself
with the easy conquest of America also.-Her
veteranswere put to flight or defeated, while
oil Europe Che meant the governments OF Eu-
rope) was gazing with cool indifference, or
sentiments of positive hatred OF US, upon the
arduous contest. Hereafter no monarch CAM
assert claims of gratitude upon US, for Assis-
tance rendered in the hour Of dsp,,e
There was another view OF which the sub
ject of the war was fairly susceptible. From
the moment that Great Britain came forward
at Client with her cxtravagant demands, the
War totally changed its character. II be-
came, as 1t were new war. 1t was no
longer an American war, prosecuted tor re-
dress OF British aggression upon American
rights, but became British war, prosec,cd
Tor objects Of British ambition, TO be accom-
p!ished by American sacrifices. Aud what
were those demands Here, in the immedi.
ate ncighbourhood of sister state, and terri
tories, which were TO be made in part the
victims, they must have been felt, and their
enornliy Justly appreciated. They consis.
ted OF the erection OF a barrier between Can
ada and the Unitrd Stairs, to be formed by
cutting off from Ohio and some Of the torri-
tories, a country more extensive than Great
Britain, containing thousands OF free men VINO
were to be abandoned to their fate, and crea-
ting new power, totally unknown upon the
continent of America or the dismantling of
our fortresses, and naval power on the Lakes,
with the surrender of the military occupation
OF those wsters to the enemy, aud Of an ar
rondissniens for two British Provinces. These
demands, boldly assened, and one of them
declared to be sine-qua mon, were finally re-
hnquished. Taking this view of the subject,
1t there be loss OF reputation by either party,
IN the terms oil Peace, who has sustained il !!
The effects OF the war, were highly salts
factory. Abroad ourcharactor, which at the
time OF It's declaration was in the lowest
state OF degradation, was raised to the high
est point OF elevation. 1t was impossible for
any American TO visit Europe without being
sensible OF this agreeable change, in the per-
sonal attention which he receives, in the
praise which are bestowed on our past exer-
tions, IN the ilatlering predictions which are
made as TO our inture prospects. AT homo
gosc fnment, which a, It's formation, was ap-
pretended by It's best friends and pronounced
by It's enemies, incapable of standing the
shock OF war, is found TO answer all the pur-
poses OF It's institution. In spite of the err
rors which had been committed (and errors
had undoubtedly been committed) aided by
the spirit and patriotism Of the people, it is
demonstrated to be as competent to the OBJ
jects of effective war, as it had been before
proved TO be the concerns of season of peace.
Government has thus acquired strength and
confidence. Our prospects for the future
are ofthe brightest kind. With every rea.
son to count on the permancuce Of peace, it
remains only for the governmen, to deter
mine upon military and naval establishments
adapted TO the growth and extension of our
country and its rising importance, keeping in
view gradual but not burthcnsome increase
OF the Navy. To provide for the current ex-
pences of Government. For all these objects
the existing resources ofthe revenue promise
NOT only to he ahuudantv sufficient. hot will