The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-12-25

0. William Browning North Kingsfo,en
10. Isaac Wilkinson Smithfeid
AT numerous and highly respectable
meeting of the citizens of the town and
County of Newport, convened at the
State House persuant to public notice or
Thursday evening, Dec. 20, 1892 to
take into consideration the propriety OF
addressing the President Of the United
States on the present crisis Of our nation
al affairs and more particularly as they
are developed in his recent proclamation.
CHARLES COLLINS, Esq. was unanimous
Iy called to the Chair and VIM. ENNIS
and WIN. LITTLEFIELD appointed Secre-
taries. The proclamation was read by
the Hon. WM. HUNTER, and received
with great Whereupon it was
resolved, on motion of the Hon. C. G..
CHAMPLIN, thata committee of five be
appointed 10 take measures in relation to
the business ofihe meeting Mr.. Hunter,
Mr.. Champlin, Mr.. Engs, Mr.. Seabury,
and Mr.. Turner, were appointed the
committee-who retired and after all alb
sence Of about an hour, returned and re-
ported that the best mode Of treating the
subject was by address-Mr. Hunter,
chairman ofthe committee, proceeded to
read the address reported =
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES.
SIR--A convention ofcitizcns OF the eoun-
tytfNewport in Rhode-Island, com posed
of all the descriptions of political party,
that have heretofore with sincere, but
discordant efforts Impressed or endeavor-
ed to impress the public opinion, feel
themselves 'mpelled by a spontaneous,
and what they hope and believe is a
generous impulse, to address you in re-
gard to your Proclamation, in relation
to the proceedings of the State of South
Carolina We are justified in what we
do by the consciousness of good feelings.
We cannot wait for examples, though
we believe we must have been anticipat-
ed by more important communities. We
are so situated, that we feel in personal
sympathy, for the people of s. Carolina
as much as we can or ought to feel for
any friends who have been betrayed into
extravagant and fatal excesses. We
deeply regret that fettered by dogmas
and theories they can move but in a
revolutionary direction, for the relief of
an exaggerated and temporary grievance
we deprecato and depIore their impetu-
Gus departure from The path of patriotic
rectitude, mIsled, as we. conceive they
are, and deluded by the lights Of false
though romantic honor. Our town and
Island have afforded for upwards of
century an acceptable summer retreat to
many of the intelligent and amiable citi-
zens Of that State, and an intercourse
has naturally ensued, which has led to
acquaintance, and in some instances to
intimacy and friendship. We therefore
in condemning what South Carolina has
done, and threatens to do, measurabIy
undergo the same pang you did, when
as native of that State, consulting your
duty and your fortitude, and struggling
with your affections, you warned her Of
her guilt and her danger, and proclaimed
to our country your determination to
abide by the constitution, and to support
the federal Union. For that determine
ton SO seasonably and vigorously ex-
pressed, we sender you our gratitude,
and we prefer through you, to our coun-
try, not only our opinions, but our aid
and contributions pecuniary and person.
al. whenever the sad presages Of the
present hour, are so fixed into fatal exi-
gency, that you must and ought to re-
quire them in conformity 10 the laws and
Excuse us for not express
sing any opinion upon the vexed question
Of the Tariff, tho real or supposititious
cause Of South Caroliui an grievance.
We mean no, to waste in lingering de-