The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-02-08

immediate constituents, and upon the pub
lie at large.
/ For three years past have frequently lis
tened 10 speeches, made by gentlemen in the
opposition, which l thought, al the time,
deserved replies. Others thought different
/ ", and they were permitted TO pass unno-
ticed. Some Of these speeches contained
the slang and falsehoods of letter writers
and unprincpled editors, polished and en-
dorsed by the orator, and sent out TO poison
and mislead the public mind with regard 10
those who are in power.
/ Some of us have thought we ought not TO
answer them, because it would occupy too
much time. Ii was believed that we ought
to transact the public business, and 60
home. / am as much opposed TO the long
desultory debates that occur here, involving
the Presidential and every other question
before the country, as any one else. We
carry these things so far that it has been
remarked by more than one intelligent citi-
zen, that the House of Representatives was
becoming mere debating socIety-a club
for the discussion of political questions.
My opinion is, that we ought first to trans
act the public business, and then, if we have
time TO spare, let us debate these topics.
The affairs of our constituents should be
first attended to. 1t was for that they sent
us here, and when the duty is discharged
1t is time enough to engage in making pol
itical harangues. But instead Of this, we
waste the CONNER cement and the middle
Of the session-nay, almost the whole Pc
riod-with such debates, and near the close
of it take up and pass some fifty or hum
dred bills decapltatc a hundred more,
without mach examination, and then ad-
journ. This, in my estimation, is all wrong.
But what is to be gained by our remaining
silent If we do not debate, the opposition
will. The time is consumed, and the vo-
cabulary of our language ransacked for OPP
probrious epthets, TO be heaped upon the
Executive, upon this House, and upon the
constituents who sustain both. Corruption
fraud, tyrant, usurper, slaves, are familiar
terms here.
These charges are made day after day,
and remain uncontradicted, to go out to the
country and circulate among the people.
| Are these charges true or false Thai
silence gives consent" is an old maxim
which has much truth in it. The frequen
repetition Of these charges by the opposi
tion, and the silence of the friends of the
administration, will induce some portion o
the country to believe them. If they are
true, we ought to adult them; if not, we
should pronounce them false. So far as
! | know or believe, they are false, and
therefore pronounce them SO before the
country.
No one word is heard oftener in our de-
hates here, than the word Party" The
opposition gentlemen seem to be peculiarly
/ fond of it. They are constantly appealing
to us to disregard party considerations, and
90 for the country
There are parties in all free Govern
ments. They arise from difference OF
opinion among men in regard to the policy
to be pursued by those who are entrusted
with administration ofpublic affairs. Can
didates, holding to opposite principles, pre-
sent themselves for public favor, and the
people decide between them. In other
countries, especially in England, one party
is said to be out Of power and the other in
as the one or the other may happen to be
successful 1t was formerly so here. Al
one time the Federal party was in power
and at another time the Republican oil
Democratic party. But for n few year.
past different mode Of Repression las beer
adopted. The opposition claim to b'
THE COUNTRY" and denounce VI
as 4" a party !" We, who have been it
power for eight years, we, who elect th'
President and sustain him and his admins
tration, by the votes Of large majority o
the American people; we, forsooth, are 80
party" whilst minority, struggling IN vaiI
to obtain the control Of the Government
impudently claim to be the country!
Now, there never can be a universal con
currence of opinion with respect to publ
men and public measures; and when tr
question has been fairly presented TO tb
people, and majority decide either on
way or the other, that decision is virtual
the voice Of the country. Such declslo
g has been made. IL was announced IN II
: -, and has remained unreversed until til
, time. We arc the country, and have bee
y. during all that period. If there are enht
" parties" or " factions" in the case, the
arc to be found among those who manIfe'
violent and perse'ering opposition to I'll
will Of the majority a will so distinctly an
repeatedly expressed by the sovereign per
pie of the United States.
have no disposition to fight the Pres
. Dental campaign over again upon this flooI
i to initiate the old soldier, who shouldere
: his cruich, and showed how fields wei
e won. But as revieUing seems to be the o
: der Of the day, and it has become very uI
fashionable to speak 10 the subject befo
o the House, will look back to some of Il
n topics which have been introduced into Il
;, debate, as we'll as others that have take
e place here.
:. I, has been quite common for the Ia
p. ,bree wears 10 hear the President pronouI