Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-08-20
TO the Frecmen OF Rhode.
Island


tain to freeman in this country--ths
right of selecting from the mass Of your
fellow citizens, two able and efficient RK-
PREsENTArIvEs, TO represent the people
of this State in the Gath Congress Of tho
United States. You cannot be indifisv-
cnt to the exercise Of this privilege, for
you are free and intelligent people, and
know better than any one can teach you,
hos important it is, at all times, that the
right Of selecting your Representatives
should be cherished and protected--that
il never should be suffered to sink into
decay bv a selfish attention TO mere Pc
cuniary interests; but should be kept
pure and bright by its universal and in
tclligent exercise. II the time should
ever arrive, when the people Of these
States, from whatever cause it may hap
pen whether from a blind passion for
accumulatng wealth, mn apathy TO the
public interests, or u despair of preserv-
ing them, fail TO embrace every proper
opportunity Of manifesting their senti-
men's at the ballot box, on all public
measures, especially in the election Of
Representatives to Congrcss-from that
moment, the fate Of the country is set
tied; and settled beyond hope. We are
no longer worthy Of the rich legacy,
which has been handed down to us from
our fathers. We are no longer the gen.
uine descendants ofihe Greenes, the Ell
Ierys, the Hopkinses- the men who
acquired by their blood and treasure that
ineslimable legacy: but deserve to share
the common fate of oil other Republics
that have risen and figured in history,
viz rapid and certain transit from
state of high prosperity, and unsullicd
! freedom, to the dull pursuits, the entire
insgniiicance, and sure decay, Of peo-
! pie, who have worked and riveted their
own fettcrs, and bent their once proud
necks TO the yoke Of an absolute master.
! ii is unnecessary, fellow citizons, TO
de,ain you by labored statement Of the
merits and services Of the able and up
/ right men recommended by the Wing
! Convention, for the important station Of
! Representatives in Congress. Nix. Bur-
GEs is no stranger to the people Of this
State. You have witnessed, for the last
ten years, the long line Of noble and pa
triotic services, whoh have identified his
name with the Webs,crs, the Scrgeants,
the Everet,s-and that hos, of able and
"ndaun'ed men, who have stepped Tor
ward in the most trying periods Of our
! history to sustain the interests, and pre-
serve the integrity Of our invaluable Un-
ion. l. there man in Rhode Island,
that has not felt glow Of homes, pride,
at the credit reflected on his State, nv
> the talents and services Of our distin-
guished fellow ci,iZcn-by his fearless
assertion Of the rights and dignity Of Il.
Island, which in his presence no man
was allowed to question with impunity;
and by his eloquent vindication Of all
hose peculiar interests, which lie at the
foundation of our wide spread prosperity,
and which have rendered this patriotic
little State the richest, and mos, indus
trious conmonwe al,h in the Union, in
proportion TO her territory and numbers7
We all know, that for years previous to
the appearance Of Mr. Burgess in Con-
! gress, though wo had sensible and re-
spectacle men for Representatives, that
the weight of Rhode Island was compar-
atively triiling, and little attended to; and
that on more than one occasion, we
were indebted TO the friendly intcrposi-
, tion ola Representative from Mlassachu-
sets, for the management Of our con-
Germs, in the very Hall Of the Nations
Representatives! Would it enter now ia-
to the conception Of any one, that resort
must be had to the delegation Of other
States, for tho support and vindicat Of
Rhode Island interests? We know, that
the very reverse OF this is most likely 10
happen, and that some of the most inter
os,ing questions 10 other sections of tho
Union have been carried forward 10
successful termination, by the zeal, en-
, ergy, and ability Of tho Wbig portion O {