The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-11-29

PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATE

~ puTtlon ot your benOW cUizeUs, Feeiuet
IN different States of the Union, who are
hume rous, respectable, and inte lligent,
who, like yourselves. are attached 10 th~
principles Of free government. and arden,ly
devoted TO the great Constitutional Charter
which consecrates and uphoids them who
ask only an equal participation in the bene
its, and are ready TO bear an equal share Of
the burdens Of the Governnen ent--who are
willing, moreover, TO concede to others a
perfect right To- the full enjoyment Of what.
ever they ask for themselves such q por
tion Of your fellow citizens. whose condition,
charscter, motives. and views. are ihus faith.
fully dehnested, have deputed ~ to repre-
sent them. on an occasion deeply interesting
10 their feelings - men. and vitality impor
taDt 10 their interests as citizens Of this great
confederafed Republic. They have called
upon us To Unite our counsels for the redress
OF the grievances under which they labor,
and have snj"ined il upon us, ~ . duty. to
omit No means for th- accomplishment Of this
object, which may consist with our obliga
tim ss citizens, and with their own fsithfnl
snd ardent devotion to the bend Of our com
mon Union. In the performance ofa duty
like this, we canno, be insensibe 10 the pro |
pr,ety Of frank and respectful communics |
iion with our fellow citizens At large. We
are members Of the same great political
family. Dur interests are common, and 90
also are our duti~s and II cannot be that
any portion OF our brethren can desire to
withhold from III our just share Of the benefits,
or to subject us 10 an undue proportion al the
burdens which n"w from the Government
under which we live. We have equal conf
dence ~ their justice and intelligence. and
assure our-rn.- that If. is only necessary
to bring hume Ia their understandings the
conv,c,ion at The evils under which we suffer.
| to serure their cordial GO. operation in prompt
and effectual measures for their removal -
We would c1n,mnne with you. then. IN the
spirit OF these feelings. We mnst speak
with frankmss. II may be. that our Ian
enage will borrow strength from the con
s,c,Ion of VW wrongs: but We will not for
&c, tho just respect which 10 due. to those
who differ from ns m opinion. and csnnot be
/ unmindful of the affection which we bear,
and which we earnestly desire 10 chrrish,
towards our brethren throughoui the Union
The representatives of portions ri our
fellow c,t,zens, belonging 10 fifteen different
States of ,ha ConErdcrscy, have assembled
in the city Of Ph,ladelphis. 10 rons,drr the
|. uricnancrs whic they suffer under the sx
lstiDg Tarn al dn,i~s. suh IN devias. II
happily they may de- So. so,ne constitutional
aud peMcrfnl mode at redress Spesk,ne
|. generally they have come toge her a. strsn
4 gers to zach other. With all the variety ol
/. opinh'os. an most subjects. which spring,
frmi J,ffaren, habits aud pursuits. and Il
perhaps. inevitably incident TO the impcrirc
tioB at our common nature. On one en-
Q crossing question--tbat which constitute,
: the subjrct Of this Address looking as wei
:. To ITS principles as its details, they have found
q concurrence Of opInion. which, as they be
I heve, entities them to ask for that opinion
: and, for the reasons on which II 10 founded
4 the attentive and Gispassionate consideration
), Of the American people.
Among the evils which howlfi0m the Tariff
system. rs At present established by law, the
ardent and determined opposition to tina,
system. winch exists in various parts Of the
. Uoion-t the deep and settled discomfort
: which IL felt, and has been manifested BY q
:, numerous, psiriotic, and intelligent portion
a ofour fellow citizens-cannot fail TO awaken
the iiveliest solicitude Of every lover Of .his
. countfy. Let il be remembered thst this ia
no transient feeling, the offspring of momen
4 tary excltement-One which may be expect
= ed to pass away under the influence Of .
; more cain, and dispsssionats reflection
No: The system of which we complain, is
not Of recent origin. end the feeling If dis
content, which was coeysl with its instliu.
tion, time and experience have only serv
!, ed to strengthen and increase. Let those
who sincerely desire to perpetuste the poIisi
cal blessings which we enjoy, look to this
consideration with the attention which Il
demands. This il emphsticslly . govern
,nent of opinion. The vigor OF the laws 10 .
,, u,oral force. The bonds which unite W sre
the sense Of our common interest-the con.
vlctlon OF our equal rights-the assurance e
al our capscity TO sssert, and the feeling
, that we actually enjoy them. Take from
any considerable portion Of the American
people the consciousness that they are IL
the full possession Of their rights a. freemeI
3 substitute for Il the spirit Of discontent
! which springs from the conviction Of wrongs
Indicted, not Inadvertently but with delibsrs
ton, which are not temporary, but enduring
; --snd you array against the Government 9
force which IL 0f like character with thst
which sustsins it--you sw sksn feeling oi
resentment, which IL goaded into activity ~
Q sense of oppression. and einbntsrsd BY the
!. recollection that II 10 the hand of brother
which in6,cisn. Such 10 the feeling which
psrvsdes . numerous aud respectable por-
iion Of the Amencsn people. 10 cannot be
de6ed, and may not be disssgssdsd. whhe:s
putting to hazard the safety of. the CSniso-
srscy.
deRree7 Loot 10 the character oG this a.
semblv- - to the ciscumstsbees undes whicn
! II is convened. Give your attention to the
! history of the past. end be sdin0nlshed VI
the novel and extraordinary spectacle which
,, In vresenssd 70 your view. do not ciose
vows eyes 10 the fact, that THE assembly 's
Isltogeihes without parallel SINCE the Sounds
|sion Of the Govsrnnsent- that We srs he~
men. end the representatives. o. nssn'en'