The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-06-12

NEWPORT,
TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE ia
For the II. I. Republicsp.


mind having reposed for a few weeks
in this interval, this suspension of po-
litIcal madness, j will attempt to trace
back to the source, to ascend the stream
and expose the fountain, from whence
our political discord has flowed.
Rhode Island was, and might have
been still,peaceful and happy,--whereas
now her counsels are filed with dissen-
tion-her institutions are abused--her
government endangered-her citizens
arrayed in hostile ranks against each'o-
ther,-the harmony ofprivate friendship
is impaired, and the true interest of the
State neglected, no. to say abandoned.
Who have been :he principal agents in
producing this state of things The his
tory of the last four years will answer
the question so often asked. In 1923,
when it was known that Andrew Jack
son had resolved large majority of the
electoral votes for President of the Uni
ted States-James f. Simmons deter
mined to array Rhode Island against the
Administration then coming into power,
regardless Of the interest Of the State,
and more especially that of the town of
Newport. He had been uniformly, but
coyertly, inimical 10 the republican party
IN Rhode Island, and now formed
scheme TO annihiate il altogether, by
taking advantage of n moment when the
great body of the people had recently
supported the pretensions of Mr.. Adams
against Gen. Jackson for President.
Simmons possessed an unbounded conf
dence, he was made by circumstance
he was the soldier of fortune-his march
had been rapid from indigence to COM
potency, and from competency to afilu-
ence. lie formed an exalted estimation
of his own talents-he was Aattered by
the manufacturing fraternity, and court
ed by the aristocracy ofProyidence, In
him the seeds Of ambition found genial
soil, they grew and flourishcd, but at the
expense of his judgement. Simmons
had nothing TO expect from the United
States government but tile road still lay
open TO him 10 derive some consequence
by heading party in r. Island in opposi-
ton to governments; and being fearful
that the Adams party in this State would
rnst by inaction; he associated him
self, in the winter Of 1923, with Benja-
min Hazard Of Newport, who had con-
ceived deadly hatred against General
Jackson for some words spoken by him,
disrespectfuI of a certain convention of
of which Hazard had been member.
These two politicians put their eye upon
Lemuel III. Arnold for IA colleague, as his
standing was popular with what was cali
led the middling interest in Providence !;
besides Mr.. Arnold's ruling passion was
known to them, to he such, that if he
could enjoy the ornaments, they might
divide the power equally between them.
SIMMONS was satisfied of another fact,
that if he and Arnold could at any time
see an opportunity Of coming part of
their joint power and influence into mon
ey for their own private benefit, Hazard
would aid them in the operation without
requiring, expecting, any part of their
common booty.
The next thing was to acquire power !;
that could not be effectually done but by
the aid of party, aud party could not
be raised without opposition the Adams
party offered the materially already at
hand, to be set on if any game could be
started. This triumvirate caused con-
vention TO be held i'm the winter of 1923,
at which Nathan Brown and George
Field, Esq'rs. then members of the Sem
ate were selected as the victims. Those
two gentlemen had been long time
members of the Senate, but were now
little suspected of not hating Gen. Jack
son sufiiciently-fo- which ostensible rea-
son the people were directed to vote a.
gainst them, in favor of other candidates
named by the convention but the true
reason was, that they wanted to keep
marty active and constantly In the