The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-03-19

want. J. FENNER.
Cranston, Maph 4, 1888.
Gentlemen--The Convention held in
the city Of Providence OH the 18th of
January last, honered me with nomi-
nation as candidate for me Office of
Governor. For that distinguished mark
Of confidence Of my fellow citizens /
feel grateful. But, since that period,
circumstances have taken place, proba-
bly, not foreseen by tho convention,
which, in my mind, make an acceptance
Of the nomination incompatible with pri.
vate or public duty. Onr State, for the
lust year, to say the least, has exhibited
an uncommon spectacle, ~ the endeav-
ors to organize the government in the
way pointed out by the charter. Five
times has j, been attempted and as often
failed. The expense necessarily incur
red, both public and priyate, and the
frequency Of elections, hes imposed a
heavy burthen upon the people. Be-
sides, such state Of things had natu-
raj tendency to excite the passions be-
yond the bounds Of reason. and instead
Of an honest political contention for
principle, it engenders contention Of
personal nature, contention selfish
and vindictive, in which the evil pro-
pensities Of the human heart impel and
direct the course of human action. Of
all this, however no one Of the threee
parties in the State has right to COM
plain but all good men Of all parties
must regret the necessity by which it has
been occasioned.
Our government is purely an elective
government it has been administered
it is true, for the last year, but certainly
not, SO far as one branch 10 concerned,
by any authority delegated by, or de.
rived from the elective power. Not
from the power that delegates, but
from that which was delegated the leg
isiative. Whether the Legislative power
can assume, aud exercise that of the
elective, is a question cot5o93ning Which
II appears to me there can be but one o.
pinion. At any rate, doubts exist IN the
minds of many intelligent men. whether
the government SO organized and ad-
ministered, has been legally and cons,i-
tutionally organized and administe cred.
These surely are sufficient reasons to
avoid if possible for the future, a recur-
renee Of the unhappy events Of the past
and to strive to establish the govern.
ment upon the legitimate and undispu-
ted authority cf majority Of the people
acting in their primary assemblies. In
deed, at this moment there seems to be
no necessity of having more than two
candidates before the people. The
name of a distinguished Gentleman has
Of late been mentioned, in whom as to
myself, l can place the utmost conf
dence. The great principles for which
we are contending as unti-masons, ]
firmly believe will be safe in his hands
No one can suppose that a gentleman
sustaining q high character for inteilec.
tual endowments, possessing discrimi-
mating judgment, esteemed for the puri.
~ of his intentions, and for his moral
worth, can be instrumental for a mo.
ment in sustaining an institution like
the masonic A.; an institution that engen.
ders principles repugnant to the spirit OF
civil and religious liberty, and tha,
spurns ell laws both human and divine.
Since the January session of our gem
eral Assembly, l have reason to believe
there has been great alteration of pub.
l,c opinion with regard to the masonic
institution. The refusal of the present
Governor, and senate, to concur with
the house of Representatives on the an.
iiiaasonic memorial to cite the masonic
corporations to show cause why their
charters should not be vacated, has SC.
riously alarmed very many of the free
men of this State and has urged q unity
of action among all the opposers of ma
sonry Of all political parties.
Should you Gentlemen think proper
to place the name Of the individual ailu.
ded to. at the head Of your ticket,
shall give it an unqualified support
And ] trust It would be cordially re.
ceived, and supported by the community
at large and believe me, that ia declin-
ing the proposed honor, ] am actuated
solely by sense of duty.
have the honor to be Gentlemen.
your obedient servant.
WILLIAM SPRAGUE.
To b. Coweli Esq. and others ofthe an.
q masonic committee to GIL vacancies.
The Hon. VIM. Sprague having de-
clined the nominator for Governor, the
Committee have nominated John Brown
Francis, Esq. Of Warwick in his room.
B. COWELL, for the Committee
From the Prov. Amer.