The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1817-04-02

TIE following address was prepared by the Committee
appointed at the Newport County Convention hol-
den at Portsmouth, on Friday, the 2lst ult.
Republican Feiou Citizens Of Me
Conn.y of'Newpo,t,
WE beg to call your attention to the subject
of the Election, On the third "Wednesday in April next.
That day will decade whe.hs we are to be kept under
the msrue of the Federists for another year. or wheth
CT by proper effort, vndicate just titles to
share in the government Of the state. We believe and
are persuaded that, by making such an effort sue
CESS will be certain.
Permit MS to recall to your minds some Of the
sderations which ought to animate our exerons We
have an interesting Counry-interestng for what she
49, and more SO for what she promises to be, beyond
any other that ever was possessed by free people
this globe. We have constitution of government for
This country admirably adjusted present wants.
and still rore admirably conrved to adapt itself her
growing emergencies--that blending all the excelen
cics to be found in former models Of free government
with pertections peculiar TO ITSELF in manner that
ables il 70 derive strength from vast extension Of terri
tory, without impairing freedom, and OF ruling large
and distant communities Of reemen with the requisite
authority to preserve order and tranquility without in.
frnging single right Of single individual A con-
suon capable OF expanding itself from to ocean,
and Of a&ordng shelter, and safety, and comfort to
all beneath its wings. This constitution, the fruit of
our national wisdom and virtues and happy combi-
nation OF HutuCu OVl-
dcnce, SO often and sgnally displayed i'll favor,
ought to be dear TO Efe and cherished and defcn.
ded as the best gift of heaven for the blessing of the
world. Here Freedom is sae--from within, by the
structure of our institutions-from without, by our
growing greatness. Oar empire is yet in its infancy
But what it bid fair to become FROM the natural growth
and development OF its faculties, IS visible in its g;gan.
tic proportions and its rapid strides towards its high
destines. Our children will live TO see the day. when
our empire will be able to stand against world in arms,
and if it peases, give laws to that world. But this
present happy internal condition, these brilliant pros
poets Of the future, all depend on the preservation of
the Union. Destroy this suffer this to be destroy
cd then farewell long farewell, to all these visions Of
future national happiness and glory. The final eject
would be to reduce us to set of petty, wild, babar-
Gus predatory states like the barbaraDs the southern
shores of the 10 the OF
the world and formidable only to ourselves. The steps
of the progression by which disunioa would degrade
US to this condition. must be obvious to every reject
ing mind. The ambition of some Of the states, and
the fears Of ALL would beget the necessity of standing
armies for aggression or defence. Standing armies
would not fail to produce here in time, they have
done elsewhere in every instance despotc governments.
I'm the wreck of our fair bruies would be involved
all our other valuable interests These would all per-
ish in this state of things The enjoyment prosper.
i,y and the mcans of acquiring it, would both be de.
stroyed. Standing armies and despotic governments
would eat up your substalcc. Internal commerce
there could be none amidst the selfish and conflicting
systems ef hostile snSs. Foreign eoaus:rcc wcuN