The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1816-12-11

sAe 3epst;Isls wers exseulsd, during Q per.
iod remarkable for lis difficulties snd its pc
cuiiar porplexities.
The period Of M retiring from the pub
lie service being al liule distance, i shall Ind
no occasion more proper than the present,
for expressing 10 my fcilow-ciuLeRs my deep
sense of the continued confidence and kind
support which have rceised from them.
My grateful recollection ofthesc dstiug uish-
ed marks OF their favorable regard can new
ct cease and with the eonciousness, that Ii
have not served my country with greater
ability have served |, with sincere de.
votion, will accompany inc as . source oil IN
falling qualification.
Happily, shall carry with me from the
public theatre, other sources, which those
who lore there country most, will best appre-
ciate. l shsll behold il blessed with tran
guilty and prosperity at home and with
peace and respect abroad. can indulge
tho proud reflection that the American
people have reached in safety sod sneeess
their fertieth year as az iadependant nation |;
thar for nearly an entire generation, they
have had experience of their present oon-
sti,ution, the offspring of thoir undistu b. d
they have found it 10 bear the trials OF sd.
verse as we'll as prospc'oasI circumstances,
TO contain IN It's, combination of the teae-
rate and elective principles, a reconcilement
of pebick strength with Iodividusl Iibergy,
OF national power for the defence Of na,ioual
rights, with a security ag'inst wars OF injus-
lice, of ambition, OF of vain glory, io the
Fundamental pcovis,on which subjccts all
que stions Of war TO the will Of the nation H.
self, which is TO pay its costs aud feel IL =
calamitcs. Nnr is il less a pecuiiar felicity
Of this constitution, so dear 20 US all, that il
found to be capable, wiShou, losios its vital
energies, OF expanding itself over spacious
Territory, with the increase aud expansion pf
the community for whose b.ncf il was es.
tablished.
And may not be allowed 70 add 10 this
gratifying spectacle, that snail read IN the
character Of The American people, in their
devotion TO true liberty, and to the Gems iiu.
lion which Ia its palladium, sure presases
that the destined career of my country VIII
exhibit government, pursuing the pubic
good as its sole objects, and regulating It's
means BY the g ea' principle consecra'ed
IN its charter, aud by those moral principles
to which they are SO well Allied: a govern
uent which watches over The purity of eles-
tons, the freedom oi speech and of the press,
the trial by JUICY, and tae equal in,erdiet a.
gainst the cncroachm and compacis be-
tween religion and state, which maintsins iu.
violaby The maxlms # public faith, the Sc
curly Of pc'so and 2rppcry, and encour.
ages, 1t evety u,hsTisod node, that gene rai
diffusion of knoy.s1ge which guarantees to
public liberty its pcrmanepcy, and thos,
who possess the blessing, the true enjoyn,cni
Of ii: A goyernmen, which avoids tn,ru-
sions on he intetnal eposc of other nations,
and repels then from its own which does,
justice TO all nations with rcsdiness equal
I'd the hrmness with which it requires JUS
tice from the IN and which, whilst il ,ehnes
its domes attic code from every ingredient no,
congenial With the precepts of on enlightened
age, and the sen,iments of "A virtuous people,
seeks, by appeals to reason, and by its liberal
examples, to iofuse, into The law which gov
erns the civilized world, spirit which mey
diminish the frequency, or cireumscribe the
cslamities of war, and mcliofa,e the social
and bene 6cieo, relations Of peace A govern.
ment, in a word, whose conduct, within and
without, may bespeak the most noble Of all
ambitions, that of promoting peace on earth,
and good will to man.
These contcmpla,ions, swec,cning tho
remnant of my days, will animate my prayers
for the happiness Of my beloved country. and
porpetuiiy Of the institutions under which
it is enjoyed.
JAMES MADISON. .