The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1820-08-16

SIucY NiT- dJiOI aS SUCH. UlgiH
add, that many more were i'm favor OF
the compromise, but were deferred from
voting for it on the ground that the Sen
ate ought first to have passed the Maine
bill. II was, in my opinion, matter of
too much importance 10 be suspended
on point OF etiquette between the two
houses being able fairly to obtain the
object, WAS satisfied. have said
nothing of the discord and animosity
which would certainly have resulted
from final disagreement on this subject,
nor OF the probable, though perhaps not
immediate consequences OF such disa-
grecment- Though to lover Of peace
and harmony, and certainly to lover of
his country, much might be said to in
duce him TO pause before he condemn
ed.-Nci,her will repeat what was
urged with much force by our oppo-
nents--the different ground on which
they were placed, IN respect to the con-
s,itution. from us tl,cSconsiitutien, in
their opinion, forbiddng the restriction;
in ours, permitting, butnot enjoining il;
being to the one pescmplory, to the 9TH
er optional. Laying these considera-
tioDs out of the question, and consider
ing the prohibition of slavery as the only
| object, insist that the compromise has
Elected more than could have been ef-
fected i'll any other way Indeed, that
in no other way could any thug have
been effected. No one will pretend that
the Senate would have agreed to the re-
striction at the present session. The
territories would Of course have remain
ed opcnro the admission OF slaves as be-
fore. And what reason has any one to
believe that the Senate would have been
more di,posed to agree to the restric-
iion the next, than at thepresent session.
Resistance never produces condcscen-
sion, nor opposition q disposition TO
compliance, no more than the belief OF a
premeditated attempt onpriyaic rights,
will produce confidence il the assailant.
1t may be objected tha, the .territory
from which slavery is excluded, is not
inhabited. Neither Was the, territory
n. w. Of the Ohio Inhabited when
slavery was irAerdicled III {lkt tefritofy;
and aho arc more opposed 4, shavefy
than the inhabIiants u the States foinrd
out Of that tssIiory and, Why may We
~ tsiely M n NJ scs Nj we
I piescnt is ~ tlsr losfnrr tSse 4 IT'S Be.
cause the territory i. not k,hati,xd thar
the restriction conhicsS Hah no private
rights, and therefore IS ais,os, uniyersaI-
| " acquiesccd in. ought before to
have observed, that the COMPROMISE was
the Recommendation uf tlr conleree; and
SO far rs their decisionE is entitled to
weight, il ought to rcceiFe due conside-
ration; and unless thrii decaion was
meant to have weight, Thy were tley
appointed?
| On the whole, hovevcin the opinion
of many may haye erreain Judgment,
| | know that, il it be an eror, il is an err
ror Of that only, and one ,si,,ch, after the
most matui> reflection, have not been
able TO discover. :. x--.--
How far these reasons n,ay go to sat-
isfy yoaf mind, | can b, say. | am
sdfe, however, that they viii be examin.
ed with your accustomed ,.candor, and
| whatever result you may arrive at, eth
er as to the right or exprtliency of the
decision, you will not s.hputc improper
motives without cviden x, nor Withhold
from others thai right Il prhate judg-
ment which we both hoa 50 dear.
! AS you express a disI 3sition p justily
my conduct as sr az / eay i,e dops with
wopriety, and fcnhu have :
that il sbcnld be, yoult lte =
to make any n>e ot sha, =
think proper.
am. yesy rferceffu)H