The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-04-09

neghbors tha, such acts could not be COM
mitted with impunity. il the spirit and
feelings that were then excited were Just
and proper; if that event was considered
an alarming outrage, principally in conse-
quence Of the source from which Il pro-
cecded, does il not follow that The offence
committed against the majesty Of the peo-
pie, in the case of William Morgan, should
excite general interest. The members OF
wide spread association, whose principles
and operations are studiously concealed
from the pub ic view; who claim for their
body high antiquity and distinguished re.
nown; who assume imposing titles, and dis
play the badges Of royalty, feeling them
selves bound 10 preserve their own institu-
ton FROM violation, have violated tho maies-
" OF The laws, and trampled upon thoss
fundamental principles, on which are bas-
ed our free institutions.
Your copmiuee believe, that such an act
from such quarter, is To regarded as more
alarming in its character than simple out
rage, committed by the agents of foreign
government. IL is much more easy 10 re-
pei the assaults Of a foreign enemy, than 10
coun,eract the wlcs and Vaccinations of
a domestic FOG. The security Of our free
institutions. in a great measure, depends
upon their due estimation by those ~ho en-
! 10Y their benefits. flour honorable, ,earn-'
ed, and influential citizens consider them-
selves bound TO an invisible power, existing
amongst us, by stronger ties than their al
| legiance To that country which so amply
protects them in the enjoyment of life and
| liberty, and in the prosecution ofthose pur4
suits which they dcem essential TO their
happiness; If reckoning upon the strength
| and influence Of that power, and with di-
rect view TO its preservation, they venture
upon the exercise Of the highest nets Of
.sovereignty, thus contemning the sovcr-
eign authority Of this state, have we not
just ground for alarm?
Your committee are sensible, that they
have stated a strong case. but have they
stated n stronger one than is detailed by
Mr.. Whiting, if we allow that he has not
mistsken the true character Of the trans
action, and the motives of the actors in
that sad tragedy? What have thoy alleg-
cd. that is not fully said by faithful pub
lie officer. who has had every opportunity
TO Judge correctly in this matter, and whose
relation to those concerned, prcc!udes
the idea, that he has misconstructed their
motives Well might the distinguished
public officer, who now presides over tho
other branch of>thc legislature, say, that
those who perpetrn,cd this outrage, have
\ disturbed the public peace, hive dared TO
raise their parricidal arms az ninst the lava
and constitution or our government. snd
assumed power which is Incompatible
with due subofdinatioD 10 the laws md
publick authority Of this stote." Following
up the idea Of the same distinguished in-
dividual, your committee add. that such st
tacks upon the sovereign power, Of which
every citizen is a constituent member,
should be resented and guarded against.
Your committee bolicve that an idea
has too long prevailed, that this is trivial
affair; and therefore, they have dwelt long
er upon this branch Of tho subject, than
would otherwise have been necessary.
They forbear to descoht upon the reasons
that have given currency TO this idno, and
the cold Indifference with which il he's been
regarded by body Of men whore members,
for a series Of yenrs, have filled great
proportion Of the responsible stations in ev-
cry department Of the government Tho
citizens Of those counties where these out
rnges were pcrpctrnted. when they discov-
cred the intimate connection between them
and freemnsohry. expected that the mem
|
have been foremost in ferretiDg ont the
guilty individuals, and unweoIicd in their
exertions 10 wipe from its c9cutchcon so
: foul a stain. II WINS certainly reasonable TO
suppose that ,n institution laying claim 10
the greatest purity ofprjnciplc, would have
made liberal contributions Of its funds and
cxeftions, in bringing TO light this dark,
nefariaus and alarming transaction; that nt
lens,, they would have affixed some mark OF
, disapprobn'ion upon those whose conduct
! was so criminal, and so directly calculated d
10 bring their fraternity into disreputc.
Your committee nhno, leor however, TINT
any snch measures were deemed necessa-
= ry by the institution. They cannot bui think
I that this apparent apathy solcmDly adfnon-
) ishcs 1s ss o people, 20 inquire into it's eau
ses: and ahy il is, that when members Of
!, this society are frequently dcbarred from
iis privileges. for offences which arc moi
: cognizcble before our courts. the pcrpe,ra.
tors ofthcse fragrant cnorini,ics should no,
bo considered guilty Of uninasonic con.
duct" ond treated accordingly. The in
+ guiry naturally Suggests itself. wns iha,
. confidence in the power and influence o!
. their society which led these men TO the
comnssion ofsueh crimes such ns the prin
2 ciplcs of thnt society warranted them IN
4 entertaining; md was their construction oi
, their masonic obligations, that which il
, fairly inlouable from the tenor Of those OBJ
: lirsiions ? The o,sndihg OF these men IN
T society and with the errh their numbers
, their ayowod motives with reference 10 thi,
, affair; and the treatment they have receiy
, cd from their brethren, certainly justify
, the presumption ihat they were rot mista
! ken, and would, IL we had no other eyi
+ dence, afford the strongest grounds FOR sus.
picion. Blu; on this subject wc are not lefl
10 conjecture. The principles ard oblga.