The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1821-03-21

tho total sacrifice Of the lands which they
have been compelled to sbandon. They have
claims on the magnanimi,y, and, may add,
on tho Justice of this nation, which we most
all feel. We should become their real bene-
factors, we should perform the office OF their
Great Father, the endearing title which they
emphsticaly give TO The Chief Magistrate OF
our Union Their sovereignty over vast ter
ritories should cease, IN lieu OF which the
right of soil should bs secured to each indi-
vidua, aud his pos,eri,y, in competent por.
tions, and, for tho territory thus ceded by each
tribe, some reasonable equivalent should be
granted, to DO vested in permanent fsnds Tor
tho support OF civil government over them,
and for the education of their children, for
their instruction in the arts Of husbandry, and
TO provide sustenance tor them until they
could provide l. for the IN selves. My earnest
hope is, that Congress. will digest some plan,
founded on these principles, with such i'm
ptovemen,s a. their wisdom may suggest, and
carry it into effect as soon as il may be prac.
ticable,
Europe 10 again unsettled, and the prospec,
of a war increasing. Should the fame lign,
up, in any quarter, how far it may extend, u
is impossible to foresee. II is our peculiar
felicity TO DO altogether unconnec,ed with the
causes which produce this menaclng aspect
elsewhere. With every power we are in per-
Gect amiy, and it 10 our interest TO remain 90,
If il be practicable on just conditions. see
no reasonable cause 10 appreheud variance
with any power, unless it proceed from vio.
ia,Ion of our u.aratine rights In these con
tests, should they occur, aud 10 whatever ex.
tent they may be carried, we should be neu-
trsi; but, as a neutral power, we have rghs
which it is our duty to main ain. For light
injuries it will be incumbent on us to seek 70.
dress 10 a spiri, Of amity, In foil confidence
that, IN uriDg mono, none would Knowingly
iniure u.s. For more imminent dangers we
should be prcps ed, aud i; should always be
recols ctsd that such preparation, adapted 20
the circumstances, and sanctioned by tho
Judgment and wishes o( our constituents, can
not fail to have good effect, in averting dan-
GEES IF every kind. We should rcco|lect,
also. that he aoason Of peace is best adapted
to these Preparations.
Ii we :ura our attention, fellow-citizons,
more immediately TO the internal concerns of
our country and more especially 10 those on
which its iuturs welfare depends, We have
ev- y re ason 10 anticipate the happiest results.
II js now rather moro than ldrty-fouf years
since we declared our Independence, and
thiriyseven since 1t was acknowlsd1 1ed.
The talents aud virtues which were displayed
In hat strange struggle were sure presaSe
Of all thar has since followed. A people who
were ahis to surmount, in their infant sta,o,
- such great perls, would be more competent,
as they roae into manhood, TO repel any which
they might meet in their progress Their
phy.iea. strength would be moro adequate to
fo eisn danger, and the practice OF self gov.
eminent, aided By the light of experience,
could not fail to produce an c feet, equally sal
ntsry, on AL those questions connected with
tbc internal organization. These favorable
an.ic!pa'ions have been realized. In our
whole system, ra,ion, and state, We have
sbnan.d oil the deiec,s which INCREASINGLY
ptsyed on the v,tsls and dss,r royed the ancient
repnbiics In them, there were distinct ord.
ers, a nobility and q people, or the people
governed 10 one assembly. Thus, in the one
instance, there was a perpe,ua! conflict be
tween tho orders in socialy for thu ascendsn
cy, 10 which the VIC o,y Of e,her terminated
10 me averhrow at he government, and the
ruio Of t':. stale. In the othe-, in which the
people governed N body, and whose dcrnin
ions seldom exceed tho Dimensions OF couD-
~ aoe OF nur states, tunuituous and dis
ofd;'y movement, pc nitted only u uansito'
ry 3xIstsnce. Ia this great nation there IS
bu ont order that Of tho people, whose pow
o. ,y peculiar happy Improvement OF 'he
representative principle, j, transferred from
III ~ without impsiting.in IN the slightest de-
g. tbeir sovereigoty, TO bodies OF their own
e'oa, ion, and to pessons elected by themselves
IL 'he fall ex'eni necessary fo- ell the pu'po
ses pf free, enlightened, and efficient govern.
menL The whole system is elective, the
coinplets sovereignty being 10 the people, and
evt oAicer, ia every department. deriving
Ai' auhori,y from, ard being responsible to,
them for his conduct.
Our career has corresponded with this
Gy9at outline. Perfection in our org anirsiion
oolld not have been expected in tho outset,
either in the national or state govsrnme ents,
IN, ho I;o, ka,