The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1817-01-22

fcpuohcs, no less imperative, because the
constitution provides milder and more Eff
cient remedy.
This reasoning applies, with peculiar force,
TO our own case. The State governmen, had
remained in tho late administration more
than twenty years. This long possession Of
power had, IN many particulars, deere ased
the activity OF the men in Office, and the new
face of things, which the revolution and an
increased population, capital aud com mercisl
industry had produced, rendered some alter.
stions aud ameodnents of the consti utiooal
charter, nscessary TO the prosperity and hap
pioess OF the people. Tho men ia powe,
could not be convinced Of the uecessry Of
these innovations, aud therefore opposed
them. We all remember what followed
the people sought these changes, which they
so pas'ionaieIy desired, by a change Of men.s
Under what terms, then, did the new sdmin.
is,ration come into power! Evidently under
an expfess engagement 10 promote the wish.
ed for reformation. They have now holden
the government, uncontrolled by opposition,
for six years. Have they redeemed their
pledges has the most trivial itnproveme ment
been effected have the sfia,rs Of the SIate
been conducted, under the old regime, with
even the prudence and activity which their
predecessors cxeroised : l am answered ty
the records Of impunity extended TO guilt, OF
protection to fraud ot misegly paGsinony,
where liberality was demanded aud OF d wav-
ering, indecisive policy in great affairs, ride
uous and con,e emp,,blo in the extreme. Car
ried away by the miserable vanity oil govern.
ing wiibou. either spiut OF dignity, ond The
more selfish desire OF securing the besl eff.
ces 10 their own relatives and friends, our 10.
lers, or rather those who have directed, un-
sce9, the measures Of the government, have
chased The ignls latuus of popularity, through
it's zig gag path, ill the exnalation has ols-
solved, and left them 10 the slough, bew,lder-
cd and coniound cd al their own stupidity.
In other States, the people are commonly
Compensated for the violence which j. doDe
10 republican principles, through an accumu-
lation Uf ali the power into tho hands OF two
or three men, by the increased activity which
an unity OF design and action may produce.--
Here, however, we are denied this miserable
consolation. A Manager, VINO 10 the Sena,e,
presents US with a living catica,ure on all
Legislators, conducts, cut OF doors, wnh that
short trsighted regard 10 the vo,es OF lew
persons, which jeopardizes those of the whole
community and, iostea OF any generous,
dlsiuterested measure, which might CON-
mand tho & ess amount, applies partial and
Inconsistent expedients, d. essed up ia all the
rags aud tatte's OF mendieiiy, TO cooc,iate d
wavering o. discontented parlizan, who re-
mains aloofonly to raise his psice, bu, ~euld
accept the lowest bid, rather than hs-S psnis
patriotism longer on hand. Aoy g'eA and
generous measure, which, whiie ii commap.
ded Tho applause of all parties, would dis-
please a few Of these patriots, is as much
above bis courage az bis understanding.
Avarice, too, IL with him an active pIincipic,
IT | may apply that term to a disposition,
which would, 10 save his own proportion OF
an assessment, leave the CIvii government OF
he STATE withou, cent for its support.
But, why am thus indignant al one, who
nas neithe, abiiity 10 form, o. s,eadiness 20
follow, any settled plan of action Let the
rather d'aw that mysterious veii, walsh hides
from common view, political charIa;aus Of
opr Statr, and expose Tue machinery which
moves and ,he wires winch regulate this
dance Of patty colored puppets, this f4rcics
representation of sove.nmcGt in mlnia,ule.
II will be, iadeed, an s;dupus task yet no
freeman, who can WELD pcu, should sbiInk
from u, on such an occasion as The P,escn,
|. X personal regards oppose, as they do in my
OWn 'fsCy NNc NtuulCatlOu Ot lEu(u, VIC S0Oull
consider, that higher and more imperative
duties urge Us on and wh.le we lament the
slcShce of those 6sh incliantions, which
too often cling around aud betJay he bean,
we ougnl TO remember, that II is oRered al
Inc shrine OF public happiness.
ArTICUS.
'rhe writer is here altogether erroneous, in our
opinion. The activity OF the Republican admins.
tration in their efforts to benefit the people, had
not decreased from the long possession OF power
nor we're they, individutly opposed TO judic,ous
reform it IS true they were not active in the
endeavors 10 retan that power, their o. ponents
IN thsir exertions to obtsn it hence the revou ion
of 1911. which resulted, not so much from the
wishes Of the people effect reform, as from the
Manufacture of faudu'en, voters, by the leaders OF
that party in which the writer himself is enrolled,
and whose views ne h. discovered are not sole y
directed.so the public good NEd Pasrst
. Xxx <S-S>OS&&~-
10 fhe hdiior OF ne .taH0nai .favoeafe
SRA few day, since met with the FOL.