The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-01-25


,astrophes, are not yet worked up 10 their
scmc. But from the contex, of the Hartford
Report, we can grasp at the views Of the
Convention. They will keep ur the srpeer.
ancc Of Joitowing not preceding tho steps of
:hose who are ripe Tor disrnion and rcvolu-
ton. Their late Convention has been their
FIRST step towards tho accomplishment Of
their ends. Their Report is TO be forced
through every channel 10 public observation,
and cpcourage voice Of defiance to Cons,i-
tuition, to Law and Government. No, gen.
tIemen, trust uponthis truth, overt acts of
insurrection not TO commence 1T the
hands of the Hartford Convention. II is the
Legislature Of Mas kchuseus, which is to
take the first actual measure against the Con-
s,ituted Authorities OF The nation. The work
Of ffebeliion is to commence here. This body,
already distinguished for her disors sanizing
zeal, is 10 mai-h in front. Another session
Of the Convention, we ate informed, is to be
holden OH the ensuing June. In The mean
while, measuI cs are 10 be pursued in Massa-
chusetts which will hasten the consummation
OF hostile designs-divisioh, revolution aud
British alliance. Her Legislature is to as
sumo stand, which will violate the sovcr-
eighty Of the National Government over the
laws of Congress, and thus ab-olve the peo-
pie from paying taxes, by attaching the-spe-
cious name of iaw ~ rebellion 10 adopt any
expedisnt which will tend TO emuurrass the
nation and encourage discon,ent and anarchy;
--and finally, to tell England, in plain and di.
rect terms, that if she will only continue the
war against us,,hat we shall ere long be d-
vided people that N. England will seek her
l.l~ -.
come TO an ignominious treaty with her cabi-
net, or fight with diminished strength. Chi
mericaI, humiliating and disgraceful as these
intentions are, nothing perhaps but want OF
courage will proven, their execution from di-
recting the proceedings ofihe present session.
What then remains 10 be donc by the
minority OF such Legislative assembly g.
To stop short such jacobin measures by their
votes This is not practicable |: for uncon-
sdta,iohal and violent Us The measures Of a
majority may prove the minority can only
oppose them in their Legislative capacity, on
constitutional grounds--No, Gentlcmen, we
do not expect that you will prevent the dolh-
inart party in the Legislature Of Massachu-
sctts from commencing, in earliest, the works
of ins subordna,ion /; ou, We do expect, and
We have right TO expscs, ,hst as rulers cho-
sen to ADMINISTERS the soveInmeht OF the
state; as men in whom we have conGded
the guardianship OF our constitution, Our
lights, our honor and our tranquility that
as friends 10 a republican yovernment as
friends TO our upion, and IS friends 10 our
common couiitry, you will set your faces a.
gainst the leaders OF a dsorganlzing msjosi'y
whose leaders are determined on khe most
alarming, novel and fatal measures, and oP-
POSE THEM STEP BY sTEP,-Tbat no artfce,
10 artfu covering or superiiiIous threat,
shall conceal from your penetration, the de-
sign and enormiiy of a measure, or cause yol
you for q siogle moment, to swcrve from The
rigid bold and determined dstbrgc oi your
duty And we do expect, that when the in.
temperate acts Of an overbearing majority
shall conc forth, the pRorEsrs Of large,
respectable and patriotic minority shall come
with them in LOUD AND DECIDED LANGUAGE.
If you cannot prevent the passage of an
unconstitutional law, you may warn the peo-
pie against submitting to it.
The eyes of the nation and the eyes of the
world are upon the State of Massachusetts
not from her boasted, fancied commercial i'm
portance not on account Of her physical
strength not from any vast consequence
which can be attached 10 her character as a
state bot from the consideration, that she
may be the first spot on which the standafd Of
insarrcetion is TO be set up that she may be
the FIRST state which is to Withdraw from the
union, and strike her coIors 10 the enemy.
The idea of her taking such stand, aI:ho' 1t
gives her that I" bad emipence" which MiIisn
attaches to the internal Hero among his fallen
rebels, nevertheless cannot but engross alton
usf rHrsr W rxtv an
honorable and convincing proof, that the peo-
pie Of old Massachusetts are not one conden-
sed mass Of deeeneracy.-.-Convincc the other
states Of the Union, ,ha. IL they shall be called
10 10 crush insuricctioh against the general
govethment according 10 the provisions Of the
constitution that all those to whom we have
delegated authority will not be seen in arms
with their constituents, to aid the projectors