The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1818-04-13
ron rnE n. 4. REpupLIcAx.

When man is brought forward, either by
his personal friends, or by psiy, for the
votes OF his fellow ctizons, II Is The privilege, -
nay the dHg OF every man, in msklog up his
mind, whether he is to vote for him or for
another, 10 encuirc, whether tho public will
probably reap beaefi, from the election Of
she Candidate. And if this candidate be set
up in opposition to one, already in possession
Of tho place, it is also necessary 10 compare
y,bsir respective merits. ThispriviIege, were
IL merely a privilege, should be willing to
wave but as il is also duy, cannot suf-
fer it to pass, in silence. The Romans had
an annual feast, during which the servants
enjoyed the privilege Of telling their masters
ell their fauIts; and our Election season Is
somewhat like Its let US improve the oppor-
tunity.
Elisha r. Potter is offered to Us for our fu
ture Governor. What are his professions
Way, say the mon who nominate him, he
has been long time 10 public life, has roaied
vehe men,ly against all taxes seven those which
wee necessary for the support ot govern
mem; has always opposed ao army, navy,
en- sflicien, government; has talked a6ou, the
privileges OF the people, the oppression OF
the poor By the rich; he is a landhoIder and
farmer.
Now, win Difference TO the sa;lient writer's
who have for the last four weeks, pufrd him
40 onpcrciiuiIy in tue Newpor and Previ-
dence papers, would ask, whe,her, during
the .h,rty years which he has continued ~
public life, he has been gully efo one good ac-
tipn, one measure, calculated, purely ior lhe
advantage OF the public Let them name one
good thing which he has done for US. To
yaik about macs brneiicenr dishosition to
DO good. after he has been lcied SO long, is
something like an Indian, who spent his whole
LIE IN counting the scalps which no intended
20 take from the enemy,
sm ready to admit, that he has uniformly
opposed our Navy, and that one Of his lastex
pipiis, while 10 Congress, was 10 get mis- name
recorded among those who voted against the
apptopg pgia,ioa FORTS gradual increase. 1t the
freomen vii, soy, hst his entities him o the
chief magistracy; an ready to submit %
their decision know he has talked about
the privileges Of the people This, 20 be sure,
iss to- which ough, to engage much, sery
much, of our attention and the man VITO
contends for our privileges, be he successto,
or not, is entitled TO our gralitude. Bu VITA,
has he done besides talking He whose
power has been Sd absolute, that opposition
despalred of success Has he secured one
privilege of the citizen which remained inse.
Gu Has he, 10 foe. done any thing for Us
Tn .co'ds Of our General ASSEMBLY ms
we No! Are the rights Of person and oi
properly better guarded by the laws now,
than they were, when he could mob ,cwn-
tnec,ing, o knock his opponen, dcwo IN
Couu No! Are our Election privileges Sc
ou.ed aga,ns, the crafty intrieucs of dema
gogues No! What then Is this nameiess,
0ndc6aabe something which Is so much eu-
iogiaedsin gene al terms, by his nombc,lsss
host of parasitess Let them reduce their Ian
guage 10 the test of our common senses iet
them toll us wAas gees, thing Mr.. Pot,e' has
done for Us. II they wish to be believed, iet
them drop their vague assertions. and descend
20 particulars, which may be invessgsted.
Records speak the lang uagc sftru,hs Whs,
DO they say for him ! Nay. we hold him not
10 strict proof, we require only the assertions
of hiS friends, that he has done, ar intended
10 do something They have not defined, they
dare MOI define his services; their uade6na.
hlc claims vanish before the touch-ssone of
truth, AN 2sj
50 And. like the bareless fabric Of a vision.
Leave not wreck behind
WIN the Stas~ Eeap any advantage from
the temoval Of NJ Knigh, and the substi,u-
ton Of Mr.. Poues, ! sro deter miuo this ques-
;ion we muM comps5. he mrn. Now oil
who know Gov. KNfonr, know, thss he Is an
honest mon, hotn po.ltical,y snd morally
that he ma. always been disposed TO beneh'
svssy -clsss cfcitixcusS vhsr ne IS ondssgois-
cd IN bic p, ofsssions, when he makes any
that he is no demsgoguc, willing to misIcsd
the people into uosound opioionss that he
may thereby govern them more cssily, that
nc has no desise 20 possess nosc pswcr in
the gosesnmcn's than the CONSTRUCTION allows
him, asd that during his govsromen', he has
.aefcd, moi, ss tho head Of party, but ssshe
Governor Of the whole State. We cannot
gay as much for SIR. Potter. hecame for-
ward with no prediction for any party, and
adopted the federal, not because he loved The /
sentiments Of that party, bu, because II oHe:-
cd him The most probable chance OF success
Fscm these motives, he has been solicisous TO
make his party suecessfol, not that he might 4
the cby bene6, bis ccoo,sy, bot tnst he might
~ssrsol,dnse hta own ocreP Ana 0hot ~ IA