The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1819-01-20
NEWPORT.
WE'D ESD.iY, LYUARr 30, 1919.
Foa THE REPUBLICAN,.
GENERAL JACKSON.
Vindicare sc erisfimafsoni bomin0ri.''

Personal bravery can confer no desirable
distinction, usless it be united with those
qualities which are universally esteemed I; an
enlarged mind, a sense IF rcsl hooor, and q
noble philanthropy. Compassion for fallen
foe, and humanity. in the hour Of triumph
has earned more laurels than an intrepid
courage and an insensibiIity to dangsr--lf
these were not sell evident truths, we could
appeal TO the annals oi our naval and military
,riumpbs |; and demonstrate, that true glory
is allied TO respect for the rights oil indi-
viduals, and for those established principles
of national and civil law, which grew out of
the humane, and just regulations OF cisiI So
cieiy.
Through the medium of the public prints,
and in the more solemn and official form of
representation from the Spanish minister,
an attempt he's been made TO degrade tho
reputation of distinguished Military Conn
mander, by charge OF violence, injus,ices
and cruelty. These assertions are pretended
TO be supported by facts, which were dscios-
ed in the summary trial and execution of
Arbu,hnot AID Ambfister. ! shall examine
these charges with candor and impartiaIiy |;
and if it be true thar Gen. Jackson has disre-
earded the rules of civilized, may ssy Of
honorable warfare; if he has violated the
laws of humanity it he has trsnpIcd on
those principles OF national law, which have
been recognized and sanctioned by the states
OF Europe; his condemnation shall be writ
ten, by at least one American, although the
honor Of our Country may be involved in bis
eensure or acqui,tal.
1t is contended that A,bu,hnos and Afnb.is-
ter were subjects. oil STATE IN an,iiy with
ours; that they were within the iurisciction
of friendly power and that they were not
in arms at the period when arrested, or prior
to that event ; aud it is insisted that the pom
ishrnent was sanguinary; and tha, the execu-
tioo, ordered ny the commanding ofhccr, was
an exercise of arbitrary power, and breach
Of the positive laws which are respected by
civilized natiens,
Look at the facts as they are disclosed, and
the refutstion Of those charges and aspsrsioas,
will be established by the most indisp0tabs
evidence.
These United States have an extensive
frontier, protected not so much by the pres
ence Of an armed soldie,y, as by the reoowu
OF their arms, and the knowledge OF their
strength and resources. The influence OF .
jus, and humane policy. bad ameiots,es the
condition of the savages and the unsuccess-
ful termination Of every conflict with their
more powerful neigbbors, would have taught
them the vsloe Of peace, had not the suppos-
ed, although Unauthorized, and dissvowsd
agents Of European states, instigated them
to repeated acts of murder and hostility A
description of men who are not open and
avowed nemies, but who secretly plot the
inhurnan and merciless butchery OF the aged
and the infant, whose language and whose
garb is English, but whose Infamous prcjects
and disclsimed by the government TO whom
they owe allegiance these monsters whom
no lang eusgs can, define, no government can
acknowledge, no code can sanction these
butchers of unoffendine innocence, when they
are made prisoners, and their infamous pro-
jects are unmarked, demsnd that they msy
be respected % Eossishmsn, enjoying ell the
rights and privileges belonging to the sab-
jects of his Britsnnac Majesty. They sssk
shelter in the faith sf violated irestiss--they
shield themscIvcs Under the 4gis of the Brit
ish uaiiosm-.forsoo'h they are on Spanish ter
ri,ory, aNd under the projection Of the law OF
Nations. Can the protection Of the civil arm
be extended beyond the pale Of civil society.
Is not the social compact founded on recog-
milton Of mutual obligations, which the indi-
vidual cannots which he mutt not vielate-
Can they who prowl around the borders OF
civilization, and with more thar savage fcroc.
ity, attempt to stab and destroy all that con-
ssitusss domestic enjoyment and social hap
Piuess can they shelter themselves behind
the forms Of civil trial; csn they While
their hands are yet reeking with blood, tu'n
over the pages ofthe magma ehars Of rights,
snd vindiests treason against law, against or
der, end egsinss society.
II the rssncnert Of sayare cruelty. which