The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1828-01-03
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.

D''NNy " AHS'o"'hs, VIC SUI
diers in one general bin of relief. If Con.
gress is disposed to provide amply for these
veterans at once, there can be no objection
to the union Of these claims. But if the
parsimony ofthegovernment re,olts at the
complete discharge Of this great national
debt, yet is willing to pay it in part,t shoulS
be ascertained whether officers, or soldiers
have the strongest demand upon the Jus.
tce and gratitude of their country. The
soldiers received large bountes on enlist
ing, Especially during the three last years,
of the war; besides their pay and cloth.
ing. In the year 1881 or, 81, bounty of
three hundred dollars to each soldier, was
paid, in many instances, by the states and
towns where they were raised This was
II larger sumthan an ensign could obtain,
at the end ofthe warrior his certificates for
FIVE years full pay. 1t is no: designed, or
desired to detractfrom the high merit of
hese aged and venerable soldiers But in
order to show the superior claim of the off
GERS, strict statement Of facts is essential.
| The officers were for the most part, better
educated and to encounter hardships for
heir country, they relinquished comforts
and convenlences which the mass ofthe ar
| ny had never known. With them patrl-
otlsm was more generally the incentive.
Their duties were Of a higher and more res
,onsible character and their services in
| ividually considered more valuable and
Important. They received no bountes
and they were clothed at their own ex
pence. Their lossesby the bad faith ofcon
gress were greater, and felt more severely
because many of them left comfortable
homes to enter the army, expended their
fortunes in it, and when it was disbanded
were withor, the means Of subsistence But
If it is resolved that the claims of oflicers
g. soldiers shall not be seperated and tn,
great debt is not to be fully discharge
those who served the longest are, by every
principle ofjustice and equity, first entitled
TO relief; and unless something is done for
them speedily. the proverbia ingratitude of
republics will be prominently verified in
this.
THE OPPOSITION There must necos
sarily be some foundation for party spirit. Men
cannot expect TO array themselves successful
! " against government, unless there are gre-
vancos real, or pretended. If no grievances
actually exist, fertile maginations must be set
to work, to manufacture causes Of complaint.
and to give them, as fer as possible, the show
Of truth. On this gret maxim for the crea-
ton Of a faction, the opposition has acted to
wicked and pernicicus extent. Invention
has been ransacked foi suggestions of danger
to the constitution, an! men we disposed to
| the present administration have been deluded
| by ingenious Misrepresentation. Their ap-
prehensions have been issailed by predictions
Of terrible evils that mist befal the country,
! if the present administration is long continu.
ed Some have believed in these foolish chi.
meras; while others ever ripe for mischief
and confusion, have thrown themselves into
what they doomed the strongest party, with
an utter contempt for principles and mea-
sures, and are of that despcable multitude al
ways ready to join the ranks, whose numbers
augur victory The simple plan ofprotection
for such branches of industry as will best pro.
mote the interests ofthe country, and prepare
| it more easily TO endure the evils of war. has
been inveighed against, as pregnant with ru-
nous results. The policy of internal inn.
provemenis, the constitutionality and utility
of which are clear as the unobstructed light
ofthe sun, is another measure which faction
makes its footstool in grasping at power The
wiscst measures, the most praiseworthy in
tentions, and the very principles Of tho gov
ernment have been msrepresented and de-
nounced to suit the purposes of faction. The
national character has been disgraced by the
calusnies heaped upon the executive, ant
our ministers abroad have concealed or de
stroyed the newspapers they received, les
they should give currency to hbels on ,he
country. Notwithstanding the efforts of al
unholy combination, we cannot but believe
that majority ofour fellow citizens can dis
tinguish between the truly patriotic, and thos
who are swayed by prejudice or ambition
between the real friends Of the constitution
and those who to accomplish their own selfisl
views would corrupt the very fountains ofho
nssty and truth. II we are not much mis,a
ken, men are living. who will look back wit
. sorrow on ths disorders Ast now exist. Th