The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1818-04-01
Freemen Of Rhode Island,

WHY are the federalists silent on the subject Of
our pproscbing eeotiur Does the popularity OF
The Republican Canddaye appa them at the very
onset! Has his talents, his moderation, his concl
iatory department, rendered him invunersble against
all the shafts of caumny-and can his political en-
emes, who bate him not the less for has virtues,
assign no reason for their inveterate ho~thyi
Mr. KsIoHris is identified with the Republican
cause--a cause which rests not on the local politics
a.. our statc--but which is founded on the princi-
pie Of equal and exec. jsst,es all his-
ed and supported By Mr. Monroe, our worthy and
iiustrious President
The popularity of Nj. KSicaT. nevertheless,
rests the basis of his own private worh--on a
r,litics Integrity which ~ man Can successfully
assail The dark and gloomy passions, which
stamp the features of some mem their crafty poii-
cy--,heii cringing adua,ion-is not to be found in
him lie is nol arbitrary IN the exercise OF power,
nor tyranLical because invested viii suihori'..
Citizens of Rhode e-IslaEd--Mr. KNIoHTs potti.
cal antagonist 10 known to you Lct me ask you
is he arbirary-is he tyranncaI--has br Just re-
gard for the rights of the po and oppressed-has
he love Of ,bor.lty-a v,neration tor relyios-
do Sthe widow and the orphan rise up and cali h m
b'essed Were tie records Of his past hfe unfold
ed before you, you could read tor yourselves. the
history Of q mao, whose ambition has kept peace
with his avarice-and who, having accumulated
wealth, by legal praea~s and having been The petty
tyrant of his own village now ssplres 10 rule, the
Despot &c Rhode Islano and TO govern with " 0n,-
nipotsnf Pewer," those rsko hare lgritten cnna
f1ffon
Candid men of all partes--lopk at the situation
Of Country, and then say, IL there is any jus,
r.,ioca cause for opposing men, 6econse they ore
Republican, What have our Republican rulers
not done, which would have made you more united
at home, or respected abroad The age OF decep-
tion has passed away--men are no longer deceived
by namss-they will think and judge for themselves,
If there eve' was time when II was only necessary
to designate certain men Republicans. in order
To dismiss them from your confluence, 1t was time
when JAMES MuNsor was not your President when
NEHEMIAH X KNIGHT was nct your Governor.
Citizens Of a small, 6ut patriotic Ssats-you have
ever been the enemies of tyranny and OF arbitrary
power, in every shape, and under every form. Your
fathers accomplished for you an independence from
British thraldom. - None are more free none more
Jealous ot their rights-none more anxious to guard
the privileges which have been bestowed upon them.
Look well, then to the issue OF this contest, be-
tween Governor KNIGHT and Mr. Potter-and as
you value the Liberties and the privileges which YOU
enjoy-vote not for the man, WHO considers you as
creatures who but dust in the balauee-and who
compares the rulers of this state, TO that supreme
and Infinite Being, whose name should never be
mentioned. but with reverence and respect
Fellow Citizens-he not deceived by lying tales
you know your steady, firm. and Underwriting friends
You know the friends OF Agriculture, OF Manutac.
lures. and os yJur Commercial Prosperity You
know that the meif who compose the Republican
Prox, arc not enemies to CUR Navy-that they have
never directly or indirectly done any thing that
could prevent the town of Newport from becoming
Naval Depot. They are all interested IL, the well
fare Of the town and siate-and will do all in their
power to promote your best interests Who are
the men that would gainsay ths-tbey are the
friends OF Elisha Il Potter--le, whose hostility 10
our Navy is known and acknowledged There was
. time when he would have risea to power on its
ruins. These facts have been writen--have been
printed-and you are not blind. neither you
stupid as to become the dupes Of artful AID design.
ing demagogues.
Let every friend to our revolu,on--to our Inde-
peudcpce--come forward aud vote for the men. who
are, and ever have been, the supporters Of that
prcsidest who recommended, aud that Congress
who enacted = law, TO recomrcnce and reward the
war-woru soldiers Of our revolution--and oppose
with one united effort the promoters Of disuniop,
Of fopPosi,ion, o. irrelyiOn. spd iupie,y