The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1816-01-31


and Interesting contest with respect 10 The
sdoption Of constitution, that was 10 form .
bond Of union between thirteen separate and
Independent republics. Tie different local
psrtiali,ies, the diversity Of opinions prevail
ing among men equally eminent for talents
and virtues, the matoal sacrifices necessary
to be made, and the difficulty OF accommodate
ing this opposition Of interest and opinions,
delayed for a long time the se,tlemcnt Of this
most important question, which agitstcd cv-
cry heart with anxiety. During this inter
cssing period IL IL not TO DC supposed that the
minds Of that class Of men which usually fur
nishes the materials for scholars, would be
sufficiently sbstracied from the object on
which, in their opinion, depended The good
or evil result Of their seven years labors, TO
admit Of pursuing any studies but such as
would qauIify thcm 10 support their political
opinions. Accordingly, we find this period
fIuitful in orators and politicians, equal, per
baps, TO any Of the age bu, very few, if any
writers on subjects distinct fiom this great
constitutional question.
Hardly had the minds Of men become
calm and settled aflei this struggle, when the
revolution of France began 10 draw the eyes,
10 absorb The s,tsntion, and excite the pas
sions Of mankind ia both bemispheres. II
brought the denccrstical and monarchical
principles into dreadful contest that shook
them both, alternately, TO their centre IT di-
vided tue human race into TWO great parties,
aud converted the world into a coffee house
for political discussions. In its progres,, 1t
brought into action, aud gave a stimulus to
every turbulent passion of our nature; men,
women, and children, every where whirlcd
about in rs vortex; individual and national
antipathies acquired Increasing bitterness (;
those who might have grown 10 be scholars
became only poiticians and those who had
siresdy begsn 10 emerge from the currect,
ieIl buck into the whirlpool 10 rise no more |;
or, il tbey segainsd the surface, appeared ia
some new iosm, Ike the Virgfnian rail, which
is said 90 go down oifd in suiumn, ard come
up a frog 10 the sp ng.
|" This rapid sketch Of the history OF our
country, moy pc haps, serve to accoun, for
the few specimens ci ljtcrsiute and the fine
o rts 10 be founu in the Unitcd 5 S,ates, with
out resorting to TIC morSifyiDg confession OF
a want OF original genius. The peculiar
situations in which we have been placed dur
ing the short period Of our existancc, have
drawn the mind continually from that aim
and quiet sclfpossession, without which few,
perhaps we might say Hone can ever hope 20
enter into ,te deep recess OF learning or spor,
In the far fields OF poe zeal Inspiration. Such
pursuits and amuse meDs require mind alb
s,racted tom the Iabors ot active life, and
and free from the apprehension Of personal
danger, is well as tie temptations Of worldly
ambition. The alluiments Of knowledge are
gentle, quiet, and onassuming those OF glo-
ry, wealth, and pleasure, gutte'ing and Oh.
trusivc. 1t is the choice Of Hercules ;and
as few men have the stIeneth Of body, so still
fewer have The hrmness OF mind, or the
Judgement, tn make selection cgvsliy Judi
cious with that OF The hcSo. T.,t business
OF acholar is incompatible with every other
excitamsnt iban the iove OF knowledge, and
the hope ot pure and spotlcss immortality.
Tc him, q mind undsfurbcd and free to per-
sue the object of this receiar contemplation,
is indisrens'biy necessary ; and the nation
that does not already fo4sess men who have
acquired decided yioe ION to study, must
never sxpec, then IL % The product of a
long succc ssion oi de0serous lsbor., fearful
and bloody invssions.--W hIle
the people Of Ametica wsre clearing their
londs oftrees, behind which often lurkcd The
watchfui lndIaH TO iake his dc ldly aim or
resisting the eDcroschmepts of savage bor.
dcrcrs, or struggling 4bamsl civilized oppres.
sion, we IcI.to England The manufacturing
of our books and broadcoths, because we had
other and more indispensable avoeatios.
We had a new world bciorc US I; end in new
world men must adopt new habits So many
cvcnucs 10 compete Dcy 10y open to our choice,
tha, necessary at ieax did not compel usto
write, and consequently, five wrote q. oil, /,
was merely to please ourselves or our friends,
rather than with any view to profit OF lame
These little productions were either publish.
ed in some obscure corner, and forgot, or,
what was moro ,ftcn the ease, destroyed when
they had gone the round Of The domestic cir
Gle. Mapy CT those we remember 10 have