The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1828-01-24
which was spreading like apes;ilence through.

out the land
am aware, Sir, that there are many who
rldicule the apprehension that the election Of
Gen. Jackson will prove injurious 10 our lib.
critics. They say that President Of the L.
nlted States, had he the disposition 10 violate
the Constitution, is too limited in power 10
attempt IT with impunity. How idle is this
assertion General Jackson has already been I
accused of oftrsmpling upon the laws, and would
have been called upon TO answer for his often |
ces, II gratitude had not interposed between
him and justice. And by what rule OF moral
deduction shall we infer, that he, who has re-
peatedly violated personal right and social
order, will not outrage them again whenever
II shall suit his pleasure and his power. But
II is not merely to defeat the election of Gen.
JacksoD-lt is not merely 10 secure the sue
cess OF one, believing IN the constltutionallty
Of internal improvements, or IN the sound pol.
icy of the protective system, that We are now
10 exert ourselves; but To prevent the estab
lishment OF precedent involving a principle
hostile To the institutions, which We have so
long regarded win pride and veneration. We
may be assured that the subversion of this re-
public will not be far distant, when talents ex-
ciuslvely military are preferred 20 preside o.
yer Its destlnles. | look beyond the lapse of
two or three Presidential terms, If Gen. Jack.
son should prevail, Tor the fuihment of this
prediction Yet, events have already occur
red which augur Ill for the duration of our in
dependence. Many of the partizans OF Gene
raj Jackson have exhibited towards him de-
gree OF devotion, inconsistent with the char
acter of ireemen, and almost amounting TO
ldolatry. In a great commercial city, all that
could engage the passions of the mob, all that
could dazzle the senses of the weak and igno.
rant, was resorted TO, To win converts 10 his
cause. Feasts, and shows, and military pa.
rade have oaptlvated vulgar minds, and brbed
the venal, the thoughtess, and the servl!e 10
join the ranks of the opposition. In the mon.
arches OF Europe such means are employed
tn reconcile the multitude TO royal imbeclity,
to render them passive under oppression, and
awhile torgei.ul OF their chains. In this coun.
try bad cause may need such worthless arts
Tor support--a good one never.
While the friends OF the Administration
have continued comparatively silent aud
inactive, trusting for their triumph to the
purity Of their motives, and to the prceml
nent qualifications of the man of their
choice, their opponents have manifesto that
that reslessness aud lntrigue, which lnyari
ably characterize the course OF those whose
purposes are evil. a reference TO a icw
OF their prominent proc cedngs,wlli enable
every intelligent mind 10 estimate correc %
~ the soanduoss OF their patriotism. They
have employed men OF talent too destitute
eff principle 10 respect themselves, or 20
coyet the esteem OF others, to calumnlate
one of our mos; distinguished citLens.--
Bat the character they assaile1, proved
hike the house the wise man bIilt: "and
the ram descended, and tho floods came,
and the winds blew, and beat upon that
house, anu II fell not for 1t WAS founded
upon rock" They have called upon lr
| lshmen to aid them III party strife with
heir fellow citizens and foreigners have
marched to the polls, shouting success tc
len. Jackson, and down with the ian
KEGS" During the recent election in \
York. one of their leading Editors did no
hesitate to publish the perverted eluQucuc,
of the Roman orator, assigning the high
est merit to the glory Of military achieve
nent when this Editor knew that ibe IN
ilyidual, whose pernicious sentiments he
cndeavored to inculcate, lived to see hs
! country at the feet of Caesar, and was him
self assaslnated by the dagger Off military
triumviratc. These are some of the many
repre- acts of the opposition; and
! by these let them be Judged. "By their
works shall ye know thsm.'
There is another objection 20 Gen. Jack.
sou which should alone defeat his election.
lie is not qualified for the Office. Ills
friends admit bis Incapacity. But, say they,
he will organize q cabinet in every re-
spect capable OF giving him wholesome
counsel. Is il come TO this ? They, who
have hitherto presided over this republic,
have had no superlorS in political wisdom
and virtue. And we are now required to
place acknowledged incapacity in the chair
of state--to choose o Chief Magistrate, who
must depend, like the imbecle monarcbs
of Europe Oh his cabinet for counsel and
direction. And why should this be done ?
To manifest our gratitude? Upon this
ground others have equal claims Yet who
dreams Of proposing them for this high Of
Ace Gratitude has nothing to do with the
pretcnsions Of General Jackson. His par.
ty uphold him for their own ambitious pur.
poses, which they gid with the show of
gratitude. Gratitude never did, and never
will prompt any pec"le to commit political
suicide.
Ifthen the principle to be established by
the election of Gen. Jackson is dangerous
to our llberties--if he wants the necessary
qualifications for the oilice--ifgratitude is
but idle pretence--ifthey who supper, him,
have shown the hollowness of their patriot
ism by the course they have pursued, what
honest man vii, Join the ranks OF his psrtl.
zaDs; The time has come, Sir, when to
pcrpetuate the grea, principles ofour Con-
stitutlon the friends of the Administration
must shake off their inactivity, and exert
their utmost energies to secure the re elec-
ton of the man, who best understands, and
is most willing to promote the true and vita