The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-04-13

VIII undertake them. it suppoScs :hcSe
strange things: for il those plsns-Con-
gress or NO Congress-inission or no mis-
SLOT, are resolved on, it is idle to urge that
as N objection, which has no connection
with either fact. Whether these plans of
conquest or revolution are resolved on, or
viii be resolved on, or resolved against, wCs
know not, but this we know--it is a ques-
tiun with which that Congress can have
nothing TO do. IL is not within their com.
mission; nor has their commission any re-
ference to il. The powers of war and
peace, and all other prerogatives Of sovc-
reiguty, are expressly retained by the
States This Congress has no participa-
ton in them whatever. All their military.
all their naval operations, whether for of.
fence or defence, whether separate or con-
tedorutc, are concerted and directed by
the States themselves, independently ofttis
Congress. This Congress has not tho
least particle of authority with regard To-
them. But ifthis body had delegated to
Il the military and naval concerns of the
coniederacy, and the direction of their
military and naval operations, as the Re-
port enormously supposcs, would not our
rcmonstranccs, made upon the spot, in that
body and 10 that body, be likely 10 have
some effect? Would not that be the yory
place where to exert our influence to pre-
vent those attempts? Aud would it be pru-
dent 10 iorego the chances, and the only
favorable chances, of eifecting 80 impor-
tant an object To our country, as would bu
afforded by this mission? think not The
honorable gentleman from South Carolina
supposes, even then, our minister, by going
to the Congress, would compromit our
neutrality with Spain. What, if he went
there, among other things, for the express
purpose Of preventing an attempt against
the possessions of Spain? Would an Office
of friendship TO her, be breach of neu-
trality towards her? Would an effort 10
protect her Island from invasion, be an ace
Of hostility towards herP Will the learned
gentleman say, that such is the doctrine
Of the law of nations on the subject of neu4
traliy? Upon denomination and reflection,
| am confident he will not.
tits evident, that our government has la
bored with much anxiety TO prevent these
or any enterprises against tho Island Of
Cubn and Porto Rico; has still that object
much at heart; and is bent on preventing
them, IL possible. Yet the very measures
which the Executive has proposed, among
other things to augment his influence
the means approaching the very evil he is
striving to prevent. How can it be, unless
the Executive shall change his views; Or.
unless his Ministers countcract his views,
and favor those enterpriscs2 The honour -
able gentleman from Virginia who por-
traycd 70 us the calsmitles which
follow on in the train Of those events, to-
affect our fellow citizens in the South
who exhibited those calamtics in man.
ner so affecting to evnsy heart--who trans
ported us to sat scene Of horrors which
I he described, and made us even seem to
hear the cries of death from the cradle Of
reposinr infancy, even he is not more nnx-
ious than our Executive to prevent these
enterprises against Cuba and Porto Rico
II ia strange, that, agreeing with the Ex-
ecutiye in object, you should 10 differ III
your opinion Of tho meana II is strange
that you should Judge the means, which
he deems useful, not only not useful, but
detrimental TO your corhmon objects. The
President proposes means. How can
, that gentleman think teen useless? Where
he himself in that Congress, and that Con
gress were to agitnte the project OF exclt'
I | ing the blacks of Cuba TO revolt; and thai
{ gentleman were 10 represent the calnmi'
{ ties Of the measure, 10 arise TO his friends
4 and their friend a in North America; to re-
: new tho picture Of those calnmitles, az it
r had represe ted them 10 us? Would !
: have no effect? My life upon IT, was 90
o ing to say, the PROJECT would DC ABANDON
i cd. DO not know the gentleman pTopos
J. ed for this missions; but this | know tina
J. if they possess bis powers OF state
,r ment, 'andhis energy Of description, or pow
., ers nv woy resembling them, that thcl
m mis .;on cannot be useless to the true II
e ter .ests Of this country.
'rhc gentleman has represented US
" .,bc North as coldly insensible 70 the pos
ID sble perils Of those OF the South; Us iooi
n ;ng With s,oicnl indifference TO those pc
90 ~? ami a. not unfavorabe to the prolec
we that would increase them. shouic
rid. sorry to believe that there was any iou'
I is dnticn for this opinion. lie nistakes'
Gu. think, a spirit which Is very parust az
ms limited, for the general spirit OF the Sorl
,ce, know TINT there is wild spirit OF hna
pe, cism existing in that country, bat not
,m. culiar to IL: the offspring ola ylrtuous sc
hall sbil.t ?. hut ~ cnlg ghtencd and unreguiet
any bv reason; bigotted to Its nbs'rnctlons,
ION, disposed to push them universally, regaf
Ola less of those considerations which oue
g or 10 modify and to limit them; that sees no
,pc. inc in circumstances that ought to che
eli or control them; circumstances that cont
that every thing, and are not to be controll
,ha, 10 realize these distractions, wol
the risk the overthrow Of tho order, togetl
are with the happiness Of whole society;
N cluding that sf thoso who are the obJc