The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-10-18
For the Renublican.

becomes the imperious duty OF every citizen
Of this republic, to examine the principles
on which The inveteratc opposition to the
government is founded. Ifthat opposition
is actuated by patriotic motivcs-if 1t has
no sectional Interests in view, no indiyIdu-
al ambition TO accomplish, no personal ma
lignity to CRAFTY, but looks only to the ge-
neral welfare, to the preservation OF the u
MON, and 10 the maintenance OF the con-
stitution invioate, then let every freeman
enrol himself beneath its banners, and in
Gods name, let it triumph. But for my
single self. doubt the purity OF its princl.
| Piles, and regard it as the result Of personal
enrnity and disappointed ambition. Its pro-
ceediDgs have invariably been characteriz-
ed by degree OF violence unparalleled in
times of peace. Private and public char
! acter has been assailed with total dlsTe'
gard of truth, and with spirit at variance
with every suggestion of patriotic virtue.
Not stone has been left unturned,no STRAIT
agem ofan srtful policy untried, to involve
the administration in confusion and dis
grace. Demagogues have vomited forth
inhammatory speeches, and newspaper ed
itors have Illuminated their Archilochian
edicts against the government, until those
not blinded by an excess Of party feeling,
have wondered how men of talents and re-
spectabilty could utter or publish such
false, absurd, and paltry allegations. Let
them however remember, that
" Virtue may be assailcd but never hurt;
Surprised by unjust hurt, but nc er enthralrd;
ieaeven that whlc hmischiefmcans most harm,
Shall in the happy trial prove most glory
But evil on itself shall back recoil
And mix no more with goodness"
Separation has been threatened. The north
has bccn cautioned To beware how it rrl-
totes the South beyond the bounds of for
bearance, lest there should be no further
companionship between them. cannot
believe such sentiments were prompted by
patriotic spirit, or intended for the com.
mon welfare. | hope and trust that these
states will remain for centuries to come u
nited under one general protecting govern
ment-and deprecate with horror the dis
memberment of tn is unparalleled conlede
racy OF sovereIgntles, which should ever
contlnue distinct as the bilows yet one
as the sea."-But, because the government
is cndoavoring by distribution of the
public wealth wherever it can be prohtably
expended, and by the most salu;ory exer-
else OF It's delegated powers, to improve
the internal communication Of the country,
and TO nvlgorate tho union, Virginia ex-
claims, that the constitution is in danger"
aud decrees from her Oym oan throne, that
this conicderacy or the administration shall
be destroyed. Ii it must be so-lf this
glorious, this happy union must be dismem.
berod, New England can stand alone. De-
Vptt har - nd h,. .,.l, A
the cultivation other physical and ntcllcc
tual resources, aud maintaining saeredly
tic principles Of that true repubhcanism
nur,urcd and perfected on her bosom, she
can survive the separation. But she re-
vcrcs too highly the precepts ofour fathers
she venorates too deeply the ark of our
covenant, either by thought, word, or ac
ton, to hasten an event SO terrible:--she
VIII ever exert herself to render the union
perpetual.
In the examination OF the claims Of An.
drew Jackson for the PresT6ency, let us
inquire If there are no defects in his char.
actcr, which unfit him to be the ruler of
free people. The satisfactory discharge
of great cmployments requires the most
exalted talents, and the most extensive
mental acquisitions. In what situation
has Andrew Jackson cvinced himself
the posscssor of such talents and such
acquisitions II has been repeatedly, de.
clarcd that he has none of the qualities of
a statesman, and his wormest partzans
have never rcpelled the assertion by sim
gle proof deduced from his public life He
is deficient then in the qualifications essen
tial to the President of this republic.
Have we not n right to examine into
public and privt' character, when the vi
tai interests Of the country are at stake, if
IN so doing we respect the laws of truth
g. honor I? Surely the happiness Of the re-
public is of more Importance than the feel.
ingS Of any individual, whoever and what
ever he may be.
Andrew Jackson has been charged with
violating the sanctity of domestic retire
mcnt-he has been accused of repeated
aggression upon social order and personal
security, and no tongue has attempted his
vindlcation. His public conduct has ac-
corded with this statement of bis private
character. Municipal and national law
have been tramped upon unhesitatingly
when they opposed the accomplishment of
his designs Like Cromwell he seems to
have regarded the obligations of nature
and society as binding only upon ordinary
occasons-but ut other times 10 be trod-
den under foot with impunity. When the
representatives Of the people were invosti-
eating his conduct, he set their authority
at defiance, and threatened as julius CGsar
would have done, to punish these meddling
Senators. How unlike that valiant Spar
tan, who, when in the midst of victory he
was recalled by the Ephori, exclaimed, Il
know commander deserves not the name
except when he is guided by the laws, and
is obedient to those who are invested with
authority" Ifas General only. Andrew
Jackson has dared to do such things, what