Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-09-24
ABRAHAM WILKINSON.


tate that on this particular oc, a ion ne should
lay IT entirely aside, as Inappropriate to the
present subject. The achievements of Cata-
line at the head Of his army, might perhap.
furnish theme to which such language nigh,
be opposite bat should we attempt 10 record
| the acts and deeds of Catalne's Rrcruiiios
Sergeant. (alIhough in his place very essen
iial and useful oiicer,) through whose dire ct
agency that celebrated consp'rator gains, the
! Liberties of his country was enabled to raise a
, powerful army, and threaten devastation TO
all Italy we can see rohing in tho disgusting
details, 10 aid the poets fights Of fancy, or
the rhapsody of the orator. Ills sphere Of ac-
ton. like all others who become willing tools
for the use Of an ars,ocratic demagocue, was
( clrcunscrlbcd to the business of intrigue and
deception to the rendering Of booty from
sacked cities, and promises OF reward that
! were never TO be fulfilled, together with the
dealing in ovHry species Of falsehood that art =,
! and depraved and reckless mind, could IN
vent. To trace this raluable officer through
! all the tranaa ctons connected with his calling,
I can at most afford but n sorry detail. Yet he
, ought not 10 he forgotten, hut should always
/ have his share Of fime transmitted to posieri-
! ty, SINCE II Is nearly certain that there could
! never have existed n military hero, without the
assistance Of 4. recruiting officer, first to fur.
n!sh him with means. II is true, the scenes
! which with aim are usual, whether at the Sc.
cret oonclave Of the coad tutors, or public rem
! devious tho method adopted to persuade tho
candidate fer enlistment to enrol his name
/ The oilcr of the intoxicating draught accompa-
med with cogcnt and woighty reasoning, and
the low whisper Of promise brea,hcd in his
ear at some dark corner--are somewhat calcu-
lated 20 repel those lohy sentiments in which
the historian may sometimes indulge, when
furnishing a sketch of uobcr characters and
more brilliant deeds.
II would be eoIng much injustice to the gen.
ileman whose name I have here introduced,
TO pass over in silence any part of his political
career, because presume he has acted through
life, thus far, with a view Of having all those
transactions connected with his public conduct
! faithfully recorded and published to the world.
To Tins no man can reasonably object for
whatever is done IN behalf of the public, or
against them, the people have an unqucstiona-
bic right to investigate. 1t would be equally
UNJUST to make any references to the private
affairs of Mr.. Wilkinson, and however much
he may have inludciousy mingled them with
,nlt al a, a, 4 -.
discriminate between them, and solely coniino
my attention to the latter.
Few men perhaps among us have more mar
rowIy watched the course of the winds and
lides Of politics in Rhode Island, than Mr. Will
kinson, and very few have entered more zeal
ousiy upon The business of controlling them
Within a certain sphere and with certain de-
scrp,ion OF men, he is by no means destitute
OF influence. This has long been subject mat
tor of remark, though query has often
arisen as to the justice of his title, after conf
Parhg the facts connected with his political
course.
Political influence is by no means confined
to high funcionarIes. II is fact well authen-
ticaed in history, that one Of the most power
iu Kings Of France Q think Louis XI) suffered
h'mscIft to be influenced solely by pecvsh,
shu'ng, hypocritca parsonage, who oificiated
as his barber, and our own observation daily
evinces, that influence is too often found in
possession Of snch as,are little worthy to man
age 1t. Sly cunning and goodly store of
money, in the hands Of man who is always
ready To- appeal TO his purse in every public and
private quarrel, are often found dangerous
weapons. Such man may with the utmost
justice be pronounced an oppressive Aristocrat,
in the true meaning Of the ephhct. He who
is necessarily n,ermeddling with political af-
fairs and attempting, sometimes successfully. |
TO dcfraud the people of their just rights by in
'rlgue and threats, is a subject who should be
much more narrowly watched, though in a
private station, than one who stands more ele
vated IN view Of the public. An honest wish !
fairly to obtain influence and power by an un-
erring course Of conduct, is anything but rep
and money, all of US should be on our guard |
against the intruder.
The remarks which in my last number sub |
mittee respecting Mr.. Pottcr's avowed want Of !
education, may with full justice be applied to |
the gentleman now before us. This is another |
instance Of the necessity Of due attention to |
education, when a man finds himself posso,s sed !
Of more than an equal share of ingenuity and |
TALENT in order to preserve PRINCIPLE, which |
SO ofcn is materially affected for want OF that
safeguard Though the secret objects which
propel the movements Of Mr. Wilkinson, are |
much On sor discerpibla III, m tboee that have