The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1817-04-23

II may be recoilcctcd, that previous 70 the
election We stated it as our opinion, that the
Republican ticket would obtain a majority n
this town->and notwithstanding the unea.
pccted esui; # the election, We know Cor a
fac', that there is a Republican s;oritv in
Newport--nnd had there been free and un-
BIASED expression Of tho public will, the Re-
publican ticket for representatives would
have been elected, and Mr.. KNioaf would
have obtsined handsome majority.
We think it our duty, and however IN
pleasant II may be, we shall not shrink from
il, @ state some Of the causes which gave
rise to a result so mortifying to the Repub.
lican party. In doing this we shall advert
tn so ne facts, and shall make honorable men
tion of some gentlemen of the fedora! party,
whose conduct entities them 10 notice.
For several days previous to tho election
th. tools of the federal party were seen sculk-
ing about in the diforcn, districts of the town,
using every art and stta,agem which cunning
could devise, TO secure majority Tor their
ticket. In some instances, promises were
made, which it was not their inten ion, or IN
their power to perform--in others threats
we've resorted to, for the purpose Of in,im
dating those who were in some respects in
their power by threatening them with prose.
cution for small debts, and Withholding EN-.
ployment--and last, though not the least eff
cien,, vas an open and bare-faeed system Of
bribery and corruption.
The Office Of an overseer Of the poor was
offered to one, to the exclusion Of one Of their
own party who was thought TO be sufficiently
secured Numerous instances Of promises
of employment wore made by men, who,
whatever might have formerly been their
mears Of fulfilling them, are a, this time
scarcely able to find employment Tor them.
selves.
We shall now state some out OF the many
instances, wherein they have threatened to
withhold their employment. Mr.. Sylvester
r. Perry, a man Of uni in eachab!e character
for honesty and eorree, department, was CAL
LED upon by Mr.. Samuel Whi,ohornes to
vote for the federal candidates. Mr.. Perry
modcs,ly, yet firmly declared his intention
of voting according to his opinion-for this,
on the following day, Mr.. John G. White
horne,s brother Of Samuel, aud one Of the
representatives to the General Assembly,
sent word to NJ. Perry that he had no moro
employment for him.--Mr Edward Brinleyt
also threatened Mr.. Benjamin Burdisk, an
aged man, and Mr.. Thomas Clark, 10 turn
tnem out Of employ, for daring to vote sceor-
dog to their principles.-Many other simi.
la cases could be mentioned. but certain cir
Gu Instances induce US for the present to
withhold them.
Mark q contrast--a federal voter, who had
for Tong time been employed by Repub.
iican, called on him, and declared his deter
mina,ion to abide by his decision, whether
he should vote or not. The Republican ask.
cd hin wha, he had discovered in his Ian.
suage or conduct tina, induced him 10 suppose
he wished to influence bis vote. "No, sir,
The father OF these gentlemen vas tory dur.
ing the revolutionary war, and Lft this town With
the British army lie was afterwards permitted TO
return, at the ip,ercession Of his friends.
This man vas tory during the revolutionary
var, and we believe held scrne appointment uncer
the British grysrnne-..