The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-08-23

WILLIAM. ENNIS.
1t is matter Of some consequence for
us to enliglIten The public mind IN relation
to certain statements which have been made,
ut home and abroad, in order to defeat the
election of Mr. Pearce. The convention
by which he was nominated for Congress
has been described as packed" conven-
,ion Mr.. Pearce has been represented as
having sought for and obtained seat in |
that hody, for the purpose OF eifecting his
own nomination; g. Gov. Fenner's protest !
and letter 10 II. Potter have been harped
upon, as proofs of the detection of many OF
the most prominent of the democratic party,
and as certain indications of the defeat Of
Mr. Pearce. From these causes, in con-
nection ith recent letter of MIR. Sprague,
the wings have taken courage, and have
talked loudly of coming victory. Let us
examine the character Of the convention,
Mr.. Pearce's connection with 1t, the pro-
test, the letter to Capt. Potter, and the let
ter of Mr.. Sprague, and then determine, if
in all these, there is the least reason for the
democracy to apprehend defeat, or for their
opponents to exult in anticipated success.
The CONVENTION.
Ithas been industrously reported through
out the state, for party effect, that ours was
a "packed" convention. There never was
q convention which assembled in the state,
less liable to the just application of such n
term. 1t was chiefly com, osed of members
Of the General Assembly enjoying the re-
men, and of others too elevated in charac-
ter TO be suspected of snbscrving, in that
convention, the views Of any man, or set Of
men, in opposition to the true interests of
the party, whose success they were dele
gated to promote.
To suppose that Mr.. Penrce could have
exercised an undue control over such an
assembly, is to clothc him with greater in
fluence than his warmest friends ever im-
dgNhcu MN w 'OosSes.
Mn. PEARCE MEMBER OF THE CoNvEN-
The whg papers have endeavorod to
persuade the freemen, that Mr.. Pcarce pro-
cured himself to be appointed member of
the convention, in order to secure his own
nomination. There is not delegate from
this town TO that body, who does not know
that such an assertion is as false rs it is alb
surd. MIR. Pearce and his friends knew
that charges would be there preferred a.
gainst him but they were ignorant Of their
nature, aud by whom they were to be pre-
sented and attempted to be sustained.
1t was therefore necessary tha, MIR. Pearcc
should himself be present, TO answer and
repcl, at once, all accusations that might
there be made against him. His own char
acter, his nomination, the triumph Of the
party, all might have depended upon the is
sue Of those accus ations. Was there any
impropriety in his appearing in that con-
vention, to vindicate himself, and possibly
TO save the party itself from ruinous dissen-
sions and division Who else could have
met and promptly replied to statements,
whose import neither Mr.. Pearce nor his
friends could learn, until they were laid
before the convention at the very hour they
were to act and decide upon their candi-
dates for Congress
The protest was read and the accusers
might have stood face to face with the nc-
cused in that convention, if they hnd been
disposed to come forward and mainta' n
their charges: and when it appeared that
no proof was offered of any act of public or
private misconduct OF the part Of Mr.. Pcarce,
and that it was unnecessary for him to say
word in his defence, the protest was laid
upon the table, and he retired Immediately
ienving the convention to discuss his merits
or dement's, aud to present his name, or
any other, 10 the people, as they should
th'"k best for the triumph of their princi-
pies aud their party. There pas full aud
free discussion in relation to The nomination.
that we're made; and il resulted in the
urss;uous resolve to recommend Mr.