The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1819-09-08
FROM THE BOSTON YAskEE.
PEACE SOCIETIES.
II QUAKER TO 4 CLRRG YAtAM


RESPECTED rRIEND--I have seen thy let
tor in the Yankee of the 7slh Of the 7th
month. did no, objcc, 10 thy mannee OF
speaking OF tho Quakers but wish thou
hsdst been little more candid n speaking Of
Peace Societies. In all largc Societies we
may ind some unworthy me mbers.- But l
am very sure thou hast misspprehended the
orlgln and objects of Peace Sooisiles, both in
Massachusetts and in Bri,siD. j shall confnc
my remarks principally to the following pas.
sagc OF Thy letter 49,
But, my friend, to be honest, I must oh.
serve, tha, have long entertained the opinion
that this Peace Society originated in this
country IN desigo to paraly2e our national
power, and 10 ender the United States more
'ubseivient to British policy The same plan
appears 10 me 40 have been adopted iO Europe
10 help the monafchs, after having crushed
'hc power of france, 10 dsarm the friends
oi civil and relIgons liberty, and 10 rvet on
I them the Chains OF slavery
rcgre, my friend, iha, thou hsst Suffered
ny self TO judge and accuse the breshen, con-
sny 10 the requirements Of the gospel, to
which thou protessrst so much respect. The
hrst partof the paragraph relates, presume,
TO the Massacbusc,ts Peace Society. Now
what evidence hast thou lha, this Society
r ssoTigns,ed In design 10 parsIyze our nation
al power, and render tho Uniied States more
sobservient TO British policy. Ihavo read,
] believe, nearly All tho tracts which have
been circulated, by the Society and have
no, seen any thing which has even the ap-
pcsranee OF partiality for Britain. Indeed
they contain many seve,e snimadversous on
the wars, and the warning character of that
people. have also had some acquaintance
with several Of the members Of the Society,
those too who are supposed to have bad tbs
principal agency in forming the Society, and
In managing its sEsirs and from personal ac-
quaintaucc, must say, believe that noihiog
wss more foreign from their hearts ihan the.
desire which thou hast imputed to them Be-
sides, have examined the Catalouge OF the
Society, wich was published the id month
OF this year by which find, that of ess
members, e6 are Of thy profes ssion-- Clergy
men. have also found the names Of eminent
men of each Of the political parties in this
country. Dost thou, my friend, believe that
Thomas Jefferson has a +" desire 10 render
the United States more subse, vieat 10 British
policy! After examining Tor him self many
of the Society, aud the Constitution, he freely
honorary member. Dost thou think that thy
brother Clergy men, OF several denominations,
who have given their names as members,wsss
influenced BY such base motives as thou hast
impoted to the Society Or have these, and
all the eminent men belonging 10 tho Society,
been tho dapes Of some despicable charac.
ters! aa
With regard TO the Peace Societ;e. 10
Britain, thou hast also misiudgcd lf I have
been rightly informed, there are two primary
independent Societies in that country. One
ct them originated 10 the party opposed to 10 .
Brstsh ministry, fhe whigs Of thar eonnfry.
OF this Society know but little but from
the character of the party, II is not TO be sup.
possed that they had any such designs as thou
hast imagined. Tho Society for promoting
permanent and Universal Peace, of which
much more is known in this country, was
formed in 1916. !, was originally ,compos.
sed principally Of Quakers--the people Of
whom thou hast spoken so favorsbly. Il was
iormcd on Quaker principles, and was con.
I Quoted 10 great measure by Quaker infla.
cncs and Quaker agents. There are ills true,
numbers from other denominations Of dis
I enters-but those are men Who like the
| Quskcrs are advocates for civil end religious
hoory. Canst thou then believe that thls
Socie'y was formed to dissrm the friends d
| civil and religious liberty, and to rivet onlhem
The chaios Of sisvcsy"i With equal truth
md justice thou mighlest impule 70 thyselI
och design In writing Thy letter.
Before close, would Jus, ask thee what
tendency hss Peace sseissy 10 6sissio, /" %