The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-05-10


= TIE only wonder is. how, in this state ct
thlngs,whlch existed substantially through
out the Union, the federal constitution
could have been adopted. The force of
truth. the pressure of the immediate incon-
'emences resulting from the vices Of tho
ola system, the unwearicd activity of the
new, and above all, the authority of Wash
\ ingtoa.-musi be we'll considered, before
We can realize the possibility of this salu-
tary reform.
1T is almost superiluous to say, that fall
our revolutionary statesmen, no two were
less obnoxious to the suspicion of interest
ed motives, than Patrick Henry and Sam
uel Adams. Their very names are signi-
! ticant of spotless integrity and a singleness
! of heart, that looked exclusively as well
as devotedly to the public good. cit is u
pleasant thing to turn away the mind fsr
moment from the hollow professions and
the i'll disguised selhshness of some OF our
loudest contemporary patriots, and to let IT.
| repose upon the pure virtue OF these cX-
cellent men. 81 am not worth buying"
was the reply ofAdams to the British em-
lssary, who invited him to fix his price,
am not worth buying, but, such as am. the
treasury of England would not pay for me-"
British fixed il for hEn,and offered a reward
tor his head "Oh what giorloua morn
! ing is this" exclaimed the noble prosscript
! on the day of the battle ofLeXington, Moth
ing dOunted by the prospect OF the gallows.
Nnt many years before, Sir Robert Wal
ole had publ ckly affirmed that he knew
the price Cf every patriot in Englsnd, aud
could command their votes Whenever he
chose to come mp to II. Samuel Adams
proved 10 his successor that THIS was not
the case in America and IN this differ
ence lay the secret of our success. Tho
corrupt and selfish may laugh at honesty
and call il enthusiasm but 1t gives to tall
ent an influence that nothing else ever can,
and commands the respect and admiration
even of those who want il. The honesty
of those two celebrated patriots was not,
however, ofthat rustic cast, which excludes
the graces of manner. The language OF
,he simple Vngnian farmer melted like
honey from his lips, and was alternately
endowed with a Ciceronlan charm, that
naptivated all hearts, and pointed with
passionate emphasis, that struck down op-
uosltion like thuDder.--We knew this be-
goie l., Eaui,sA,y. al.9 zee Elegant pen OF
his biographer has given ample conhIlna-
ton of Il. What presence and power oi
mind. i'm his well known check To the muir
nurs ofthe tories IN the assembly OF Nir-
ginia "If this be treason, let them make
he most oft" Samuel Adams was ripe
| and accomplished scholar lie had form
ed his taste as well as his character upon
the finest models of antiquity, and was The
most polished writer Of his day IN America,
Are we therefore, lightly to charge these
| tried friends ofthc country with seifishness
or faction, because they did not perceive
! the necessity OF the new constitution -
Are we even TO regret IT, since their oppo-
slton proved Intellectual II may boldly
be said, that il was natural 'or the wisest
and best men OF the day, as these undonbt-
edly were, to take, IN their position and Mt
their age, the part they did. They had
devoted the freshness Of their youth, the
maturity and vigor Of their uper years,
their whole being in fact, all the strength
and wisdom that God had given them, 10
procure for the country the state OF things
which II was now proposed to change. Was
it for them, when they had reached the or
dnary term of human existence, To begin
u new and cont rary course OF action, and
TO undo what they had beenal their lives
80 laboriou-ly doing ? Surely not. Much
ms admire the constitution. much as ! re-
joice that it was adopted. confess that
like these sterling old hearts the better
for opposing II, and for sticking fast to the
text Of state sovereignty, and the old con-
lederacy. i'm defiance of what they doubt
less thought ~anion and headstrong
spirit OF innovation.
at Is, therefore, by no means necessary
10 suppose, as some have heretofore unad-
visedly and rather unkindly done, tina, the
federalists acted entirely upon fac
tious and selfish motives. They were
doubtless IN the wrong; but looking at the
question as IL then presented ITSELF they
had great reason, high authority, and in
fact much actual truth OF their SIDE; for IN
this as i'm all other cases Of revolution,
there was conflict of rights and of prDci-
pies, which no argument could reconcile,
aud nothing but force or authority could
settle a recurrence 10 force would have
been IN other words o civil war. and whero
was the weight of authority 10 be found,
that could counierpoise that OF the ablest
and most respected revolutionary patriots?
The thing must have appeared at the tlmo
impossible. but by one OF the signal bles-
sings of Providence, which have marked
20 often the political career of this coun-
try. there dwellcd amongst us an individu-
al. possessing in the love Of the people, in
their gratitude for his services, and their
of his wisdom and virtue, such
means of influence. ms enabled him to IN
.crposa at the critical moment, the dignus
vindice nodus, first to procure the adoption
If The constitution, and then TO give IT, by
accepting the presidency, the lndispensa-
,le advantage Of going quietly into opera