The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-04-10

JonN STERNE, Gen Treasurer.
Mn. PECKnAM have read with some
attention and no little amusement the
various effusions which have from time
to time been published in the papers
supporting the present State administra-
ton; and have also been somewhat
surprised a. the reckless and unprinci-
pied course pursued by them in relation
to the candidate opposed to Gov. Arnold.
To my mind there can be no stronger
evidence Of The merit Of John B. Francis,
as n man. no surer proof of his fitness
for the office, no arguments more con-
yincing to those who are disposed to
weigh his claims in the scales Of candor
and impartality, than to discover after
all the calumny which has been printed,
that nothing can be made to fasten upon
his character either as a man or a clti-
zen, which will not elevate him still
higher in the estimation Of the unpreju-
diced, gain for him greater confidence,
or tend more to enlist in his favor the
sympathies Of the people. To see
any Individual who has hitherto stu
diously and decidedly declined the prof
fered honors Of office. and evinced a
preference for the quiet life of the farm
FER, vilifed by opprobrious epiihets and
reproacbed by base and selfish par,isans.
must at any time and in any case most
surely gain for him. ths friendship of
HONEST men: but to see such an individ-
ual csumniated for being supposed to be
influenced by the low and grovelling mo-
tiycs Of which his revilers know and
feel themselves to be guilty will no, only
ensure for him their sympathies. bu! be-
get in every virtuous mind sentiments
of indignation and disgust. And what
after all is the substance Of the charges
against Mr.. Francis Why simply aud
in sober truth because lie has done to say
the worst it, those things which our
present Gov. did to gain his office. Ger
tain individuals talk and act as if the pco-
pie had no concerh in tho disposition of
their favors. As if friendly dispositions
and feelings between two or more citi-
zens, deprived the people of their
right TO choose whom they pleased for
their public servants. Is it any reason
then, that Mr.. Francis should decline the
invitation of his fellow citizens 10 ac-
ccpt of any office they may deem him
competent to ill and the duties of which,
they think him best qualifiedt to discharge,
because he has heretofore been friend
ly to the claims Of any other citizen, be
he Governor Arnold or any OF her per-
sons. Have not the sovereign people
the right TO elect whom they please and
is there not correspondent obligation
resting upon him or Them as good ci,i-
zens to accept and discharge the duties
Of the Offices TO which they have been C.
lscted. II is n sound maxim and has re-
ceived the appreciation Of all civilized
nations in every age of tho world, that
the public good must always be preferr-
cd to the private, Let individual friend
ships be what they may. We are told
Of the ngra,i,ude Of Mr.. Francis in op-
posing Gov. Arnold, would humbly
ask whether the obligations ofMr. Fran
els as citizen are not thousand times
greater than his obligations to Lcmuel
II. Arnold. If not should like to know
upon what grounds, or by what right Gov
Arnold himselfoppose our late excellent
chief magistrate, Governor Fcnncr, af.
ter he had nominated him TO the office
which he then and for years had filed
so much to the honor and advantage OF
the State. Again. what right has Gov,
Arnold or his friends to complain ofthe
union Of the administration and anti