Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-08-17
Great Whig Meeting.

Monday evening last. II was the most numerous
and respectable meeting, Of a political character.
we ever attended in this place. The House was
crowded ut an early hour, and the spirit which
pcrvaded the whole sssen.blage. gave evidence
that the ireemen were dtoake, and eager for the
approaching contest. The seats in every part Of
the House being filled, VIM. s. Nichols, Esq.
called the meeting to order, when il was organ
lied by the appointment Of Gov. GEoReE ENGs,
us Chairman, and James Atkinson, Secretary.
Henry Y. Cranston. Esq. then briefly addressed
the meeting. and by request. read the correspon-
dence (Which will be found in our columns TO.
day. between the lion. JAMES D'WoLr and
the Hon. WIN. SpRAGUE.
A0er which, ROBINSON Potter, ESQ. (here-
tsfore warm supporter Of Mr.. Pearce, and ofthe
powers that be) addressed the meeting in speech
OF considerable length, 10 his usual energetic aud
characteristic manner, in which he was repeated
ly interrupted by The deafening plauds Of the au-
dience. We had taken full notes but our limits
prevent giving any thing more than general out
line OF his remarks.
lie commenced by saying. that he was extreme
y glad and felt rejoiced to see such an assembIace
as was then present. lie considered il one ofth
most momentous occasions upon which the free
men ever assembled in that Court House. lie
then fully justified himself for an apparent ncon-
'is'ency in esPousng the Wing cause. Every
man, he said, must be sensible that there was
something Urong in the present state Of things
no man was bound to support cause not con-
genial with his own understanding. and honest
convictions of right and duty-a cause which was
at war with the best interests Of our country
whose energies were Paralysed, and its currency
destroyed. How can the business Of this country,
he asked, be carried on with the present circuIat-
ing med'um-the Great Regulator having been,
and, as consequence, all the minor machinery
des.royed' We have been, (he continued) grad
ualy progressing to ruin from the time Of the de-
structiOn Of the great balance wheel, the Y. s..
Bank, aud the Removal Of the DepOstes. lie
did not see the evil then, but no,o he was con-
'inced.-ile had seen and felt the effects Of this
tanPer'ns with the currency this Loco-Foco
system, calculated to destroy confidence between
man and man-break down the merchant, the
manufacturer, the farmer, the industrious portions
Of the community, and array the poor against the
rich, whe were dependent upon and could not
subsst without each other Capt. Potter then
spoke Of The stoPPage of specie payments in Mr..
Aladison's time, and Of its resumption in 1876
From that time, he said, we have had paper
currency, and wholesome credit systeu,.-The
people have grown up under the credit system
destroy that and you destroy all confidence. pros
perity and enterprise. 1t is mere moonshine 10
talk Of any other system. What, (he continued)
has built up this great country! Was It spteie? ?
No.-lt was credit, and enterprizc, assisted by
well regulated circulating medium. Talk about
your Loco -Foco doctrines, he never saw any ben
Gifts resulting from such principles. What little
prope: :ty he had he accumulated by his industry,
and the Loco roco doctrines Of Gen. Jackson, as
expressed in hi. letter to the Editor of the Globe,
were they carried out to their full extent, would
not only rob him Of his hard earnings, PROSTATE
the unexampled prosperity Of the country, but
would lead to a revolution.
Capt. Potter then appealed to the freemen to
come forward in their strength. 1t is in the pow
er Of the people Of Rhode Island, he said, to come
forward, on the day Of Election, and retrieve their
characters notw ihsta nding they may be stigma
tzed with changing their principles. ! cannot
support. (he continued, man who has publicly
declared that he is against all Banks. Let lit.
tie Rhode Island come forward and show the
General Government that she, for one, is deter