Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-10-11

| sweets Of that eternal repose 10 which oblivion
has nearly consigned them.
l have said that there are men in Rhode Is
land who can trace back to the period Just
mentioned, a visible uneasiness in the deport-
ment Of Mr.. Nathan b. Sprague. At that time
he was professedly an advocate for the elect
ion Of John Q. Adams, and as his private grcv-
ances were not made known except to a very
fow persons, he was still held in confidence with
that party and presided at their meetings as US
ual, without discovering the bag Of Iscariot
that was concealed beneath the folds of his
garment. What ask would have been the
course Of an honest and honorable politician,
who fairly disrusted the pernanency and
soundness Of the cause in which he was en-
gaged' One might suppose that he would have
withdrawn himself entirely from tho contest,
till he could fairly make up his mind, by dis
pellng those doubts that obfuscatcd the atmo-
sphere of his political vision. But Mr.. Sprague
did not do this, although he had expressed his
doubts to individuals and intimated that by
connecting himself with the Arlstocracy, he
should be able to secure a seat in Congress,--
He even had the hardihood to claim the off ce
of carrying tho votes Of the electors to Wash
ton, TO the exclusion Of a staunch Adams can
d'date. who was equally the choice Of the
electors, and he finally procured that station
merely by chance. This was not sufficient, for
in brief space afterwards, we find him can
dldate for the House of Representatives in Con-
sress and creating dissention in the ranks Of
the Administration. In this, as might be ex-
pected, he entirely failed. Many indeed were
the murmurngs and even threats oe this de-
featcd applicant, but they were breathed only
IN the ears Of few. 1t is well known that in
II short time after, his claims to the chair in
tho legislature Of Rhode Island were clamor-
ousy preferred by him and his advocates, in
which after one repulse, he at last succeeded.
The time had row arrived when tho whole
budget was to be disclosed when the thorn
that had go long been ranking in the bosom
of this victim of~Aristocracy, had at length
worked its own way out and Mr.. Nathan B.
Sprague, amid the Kisses and expressions of
contempt from nineteen twentieths of the free
mon of Rhode Island, proclaimed himself an
advocate for the Military Chicftain This he
had long been, as will appear by his acknowl-
edgements since made, but his avowal was
awaiting favorable opportunity.
Doubtless Mr. sprague really supposed tha,
the public avowal Of this re volution in his mind,
would carry with it large ma ajority Of the free
men of the State; never was poor, weak, de-
ludcd man, moro sadly mistaken, There are
few who did not know long ago, that he over
rated both his talents and influence, but stl
fewer were prepared to believe that he had
carried his fanatcism TO such a height, as for
a moment to suppose that he possessed the
power OF controlling a solitary vote from among
the stern yeonanry Of New England; much
less of the whole State Of Rhode island On
this adamantine rock, more than one bark has
been doomed to split, and Mr.. Sprague is left
to study the forlorn and forsaken Catalogue
of apostate demagogues, to ild the muster roll
day that Benedict Arnold, with all his
military and political fame and influence.
attempted TO sell his country, never has a
true son Of New England suffered himself
to DO imposed "pon by a changeling office
seeker. In vain may mon cite instances where
others have maintained their popularity after
deserving their party. These instances will be
found alone in cases where party itself has de-
se:ted its professed principles and appeared
under new flag. concede that this is some
times the case and consequently those who
wish to pursue an honest course, are driven n
the necessity of taking new ground as it re-
CARDS their animosties. But far different is the
case OF MIR. Sprague. He does not pretend to
shield himself under any such defence. He
says our country has lost her colonial trade
with Great Britain, and therefore he opposes
Mr.. Adams. This is the climax of absurdty.
No one, not even a child in politicks, is unac-
quainted with the naughty and overbearing de-
meanour Of the British government towards us
in this particular, and if ever our country at
any moment required a firm and decided
movement to repel insult and even aggression,
il was on this occasion. The true fact is, the
loss Of the colonial trade Gift be loss) hap
pened precisely at the time Mr.. sprague had
determined to come out a ia ckson man, and
this serbcd as pretext for the occasion.
l have now to notice one more movement, ,
and l shall have done for the present with Mr..
Nathan b. Sp.ague. have been recently ad-
vlsed that he has nominated himself for Sem
ator in Congress, in room Of Hon. Nehemiah
X knight, and is actually al this moment ell
lectioneering with our representatives. for that