Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-09-03
For lie Literary Cadet
RHODEISLAND ARISTOCRACY.
NO. l.

without any known necessary cause. than any
other, with the exception of one or two, in the
whole Union. This arises from matters per.
tanning to her civil poliiy, and can most uni
formly be traced TO IA single cause. AL Of US
have observed that few propositions are intro
duced before the people, or in their Legislature,
for the purposes Of public improvement, and
utility, but are doomed to meet with a violent
and unaccountable opposition, supported alone
by appeals to the prejudices Of the people, and
ingenious arguments which are the productions
of chcanery and unprncpled minds The ve-
ry unrc casonable and abortve attempt, TO pre-
ven, the late valuable reform in our Supreme
Court-the projected overthrow of the Free
School System, and the almost innumerabe
other instances of similar stamp and descrip
ton, arc all yet fresh in the recolections Of the
people. Was there, ask, a man in Rhode
Island who was able TO render any plausible
reason why this strange opposition should exist,
except upon the principle that usually instisates
disappointed factionists, TO oppose everything
when wrthing in the last struggle Of despair!
Trace out its origin to its fountain head, and
take glance at the political course of those
who set it on foot. You will find those men
who once possessed an influence in the state
men Of wealth-men who aspired 10 much
more than they ever reaohcd-mou who were
determined, however, TO effect their object at
n k,,.rJs ,pd thoro fore ,y,t tho polti.
cal winds and weathcrcocks through every vi
ci,situde men who have boxed the compass
Of polticks, till there will not be found point
they have not steered men who have lost oil
public confidence, and long since, like Luci-
fer, FALLEN, and forever! as TO individual po-
lncal responsibility, and in the last resort,
knowing the advantages of confedcrating and
uniting their power. have collected together
what is left from the shattered wrecks Of their
former eminence, to meet and put down tho
efforts Of the people. This great object is TO
be effected alone by the momentum of their
wealth, and that low intrigue and cunning, for
which they have been characterized.
To array the political characters and duct
Of those who compose this ltile hetreogeno qua
squad, and particularly to delineate the Incl
dents and adventures attending their career,
will be the humble object Of my future labors.
! shall not proce ed in the dark about this bus
mess, but shall assume the right TO introduce e
names. so that no mistake will be likely toac-
crue in making wrong applications. Be it under
stood that in taking this liberty. tbe private
held sacred ard ir .ss5....lc, and that nothing
shall be stated, that cannot be satisfactorily
proved BY undeniable evidence.
The people of Rhode Island have long since
had occasion to suspe ct the existence of an un
princpled Aristocracy in the State, whose OBJ
joct it is to pinon them to its wheels, and de-
prive them of the right to exercise the common
privileges of republicans. say emphatically,
an Aristocracy, for considering tho very small
number who are struggling to render the peo-
pic subservient 10 their wishcs--the means
adopted to carry this object into execution, and
the imperative and potential language in which
they usually address TIE citizens Of an inde-
pendent sovereignty, this combination IL well
worthy the name. Most Of my readers doubt
less are apprised, from the sketch have al
ready drawn, concerning whom these remarks
are submitted. No intelligent Rhode Islander
can mistake them. have not as yet furnish
ed them with any new information. The alarm
bell has long since announced TO the people the
approa ching tempest which threatened des-
truction to our political freedom, when Elisha
r. Potter attempted to force his way into the
Senate of our national legislature, by "demo'-
ishng' (to use his own eYpression> our present
able delegate, the Hon. Asher Robbins.
1t is with view principally to expose the
erten. of this aristocratic system. (for I am
strongly inclined to believe, that there are ma
ny Of our honest and intelligent citizens, who
are yet unacquainted with h) that have been
induced to commence this exposition. The or
ganization Of this powerful machine is such,
that not u solitary town in Rhode Island is tx
empt from its baleful influence. All Of us know
that man who superintends its operation, and
many are his open and avowed agents,
employed in conducting its operations. Should
| history fail TO transcrbe q faithful record OF
their achievements; tradition will long preserve
their memories, in the recaptula,ion of the
wrongs Of Rhode Island, and the remembered
catalogue Of the numerous impos,ions that
have been prac,icod on hor citizens. Against
him, personally, do not harbour hostile feel
ing: politically, many. Iwould not, however
for his sake alone. have taken up this subject
nor even for the sake Of his associates, who
have repeatedly been exposed and identified
with him in the prosecution Of his schemes. to
foil the ordinary course Of republican polticks