The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1821-07-25

discussion. Centuries oil desoiauog wars nave
succeeded, and oceans of human blood have
q wed for the 6oal establishment Of this prn-
ciDle /; but il was from the darkness Of the
Cioister that the first spark was emitted, and
from the arches Of an University that il first
kinded n,o day.--From the discussion of re-
lgious lights and duties, the transition TO that
of the political ADD civil relations OF men with
one another, was natural and unavoidable in
both, tho refsrmers were met by the weapons
Of temporal power. At the same glance OF
reason, he ;iara would have fallen from the
, brow of priesthood, and the despo,c sceptre
would have departed from the hand OF royalty,
but for the sword BY which they were protect.
ed-hat sword, which, like the Aiming sword
of the Cherubm, turned every way to debar
access TO the tree Of life.
The double contest against the oppressors
OF the Church and State was too appalling fo'
the vigor, or too comprehensive Tor the facu!.
ties of the reformers Of the European Cont
nent. In Britain alone was il undertaken,
and in Britain but partially succeeded.
1t was in th. midst of that fermentation OF
the human intellect which brought right and
power in direct and deadly conflict with each
other, that :he rival crowns Of the two portions
of the Bcitish island were united on the same
head. IL was then, that, released from the
menacles OF ecciesiasticai domlGatlonf the
minds Of men began to investigate the foun-
dations Of civil government. Blu, the mass OF
the nation surveyed the fabric OF their instii-
uiions as Il existed in face. 1t had been ioun-
ded in conquest; it bad been ccmented in
servitudc, and 80 broken aid moulded had
been the minds Of this brave and intelligent
people to their actual condition, that instead
Of solving civil society into lis FIRST elements
N nj he
only to conquest as the origin OF their lber-
ties, and claimed their rights but as locations
from their kings.
This falteriug assertion Of freedom is not
chargesble indeed upon the whole nation
There wero spirits capable of tracing civil
government TO its foundation in the moral
and ply sicai nature Of man; but conquest and
secVitude were so mingled up IN every parti-
Gle of the social cxlscncc of the na'ion, that
they had become vitality necessary 10 them, as
porusn OF the fsid, itself Destructive Of life,
is indspeus ably blended with the atmosphere
In which we live.
Fellow Citizens, it was in tho heat Of this
war OF moGal elements, whIca brought one
Stuart to tho block, and hurled another from
his throne, that ,uc forefathers sought refuge
from its fury in The then wilderness of this
Western World.
They werc willing exiIcs from a country
dearer TO them than life. But they were the
exlles Of bors and OF coosciS.cc, dearer TO
them even than their country. They came too
with Charters from their kings for, even in
removiog to another hemisphere. they" cast
longing, lingering, looks bchiat," and were
anxiousy desiraus of retaining tics OF connec
ton with their countrY, which, IN the solemn
compact of q chatter, thcy hoped by the cor
responding Inks Of allegiance aud protection
to preserves
Bot, to their sense OF right, the charter was
only the iigament between then,, their coun-
t'y, and their king. Transported TO a new
wotid. they had ceiatIons with ooe auother, ,snd
relations with the abori .inal iohabitan,e of the
country to whicb they came, for which no roy.
al chactcr could provide. The G'st settlers Of
the Plymouth colony, at tho eve Of landing
from their ship, therefore, bouad themselves
together by writes covenant; AID, immedi.
atey after ,sndine, purchased ftom the lnjIan
natives the right OF settlement upon the soil.
Thus was q social compact formed upon
elementary principles of civil society, 10
which conquest and servitude had no part.
The slough of brutal force was entirely
eIst OF :---ali was voluntary; all was unbas-
sed consent; all was the agreemeot OF soul
with so0l.
Olher colonies weee successfully founded
and o,hoe charters granted, ucil. in the coin.
pass of century and half, ,hit,een distinct
Blush provinces peopted tho A,lsaic shares
Of the North American continent with two
millions Of frecmeu possessing by their chart.
or the riIhts OF Blush subj iects, and nurtur.
ed by their position aud education, in tho more
comprehensive and original doctrines of hu-
man tights From their infancy they had
been treated by the parent state with neglect,
harshness, and injustice. Their charters had
often sssn d,s'egarded aud violated ; their
commerce restricted and shackied; their in
terest waotonly or spiteIui'y sacrificed so
that the hand OF tho parent had been scarcely
ever felt, but in the slteroato application of
whips and scorpions.
When, in spite Of oil these prosecutions, by
the n,tural vigor OF their constitution, they
wee Just attaining the maturity of political
manhood, itish Parl,amcnr, 10 contempt Of