The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-03-15


ing astonishing results, has passed along
but on our institutions it has left no inju-
rieus mark. From small community, we
have risen to people powerful in numbers
and in strength; but with our increase has
gone, hand in hand, the progress of just
principles the privileges, civil and relg-
ious, of the humblsst individual are still
sacredly protected at home and while the
valor and fortitude of our people have re-
moved from US the slightest apprehension
of foreign power, they hive not yet induced
us, in a single instance, TO forget what is
right. Our commerce has been extended
to the remotest nations: the value, and
even nature, Of our productions has been
greatly changed: wide difference has
arisen in the relative wealth and resources
of every portion of our country yet the
spirit of mutual regard and of faithful ad-
herence to existing oompacts, has contin-
ued to prevail in our councils, aud never
long been. absent from our conduct. We
have learned by experience fruitful lesson
that an implicit, undertaking adherence to
the principles on which we set out, can
carry us prosperously onward through all
the conflicts of circumstances, and the vi
cissitudes inseparable from the lapse of
years.
! The success that has attended our great
experiment, is, in itself, a sufficient cause
for gratitude, OH account Of the happiness
it has actually conferred, and the example
it has unanswerabIy given. Butto me, my
distant future, with ardent prayers and con-
fiding hopes, this retrospect presents a
ground for still deeper delight. 1t impress
ses on my mind firm belief that the per-
petuity of our institutions depends upon
ourselves that if we maintain the princi-
plies on which they were established, they
are destined to confer their benefits on
countless generations yet to come and that
America will present to every friend of
mankind the cheering proof that popular
government, wisely formed, is wanting in
no element of endurance or strength. Fif-
ty years ago, its rapid failure, was boldly
predicted. Latent and uncomfortable causes
of dissolution were supposed to exist even
by the wise and good and not only did
unfriendly or speculative theorists anticipate
for us the fate of past republics, but the
fears of many honest patriot overbilanced
his sanguine hopes. Look back on these
forebodings, not hastily, but reluctantly
made, and see how, in every instance, they
have completely failed.
An imperfect experience, during the
struggles of the revolution, was supposed to
warrant belief that the people would no,
bear the taxation requisite to discharge an
immense public debt already incurred, and
!. fha nF
government. The cost Of two wars has
, been paid, not only without murmur, but
with unequalIed alacrity. No one is now
: left to doubt that every burthcn will bC
cheerfully borne that may be necessary &c
sustain our civil institutions, or guard oul
honor or our welfare. Indeed, all exper
, ience has shown that the willingness Of ih'
people to contribute to these ends in case
: ofemergency, has uniformly outrun the con
fidence of their representatives.
t In the early stages of the new Govern
t ment, when all felt the imposing influence
, as they recognised the uncgualled service
, of the first President, it was common sen
: timent, that the great weight Of his charac
ter could alone bind the discOrdant mate
rials of our Government together, and say,
us from the violence Of contending factions
} Since his death, nearly forty years arr
, gone. Party evaporation has been oftel
carried to its highest point the virtue ant
, The fortitude Of the people have sometime
been greatly tried YET our system, purified
: and enhanced in value by all IT has encoun
tered, still preserves its spirit of free aiit
, fearless discussion, blended with unimpair
; ed fratefnaI feeling
The capacity Of the people for self gov
, ernment, and their willingness, from
J high sense Of duty. and without those ex
: hibitions Of coercive power so generally en-
, ployed in other countries, to submit to al
, needful restraints and cxactions Of the mu
{ nieipal law, have also been favorably eX
, emplfed in the history Of the American
: States. Occasionally, it is true, the ardo
: of public sentiment outrunning the regular
4 progress Of the Judicial tribunals, or seek
ing to reach cases not denounced as crimi
r nal by the existing law, has displayed itsel
\ 10 manner calculated to give pain to til
!; friends Of free government, and to encour
e age the hopes of those who wish for it
Y overthrow.-These occurrences, however
have been far less frequent in our countr
d than in any other Of equal population o
d the globe and with the diffusion Of intelli
IS gence, it may well he hoped that they vii
# constantly diminish in frequency and vio
e lence. The generous patriotism and SCUM
II common sense Of the great mass Of our fel
n low-citizens, will assuredly, in time, pro
IF duce this result; for as every assumptio
d Of illegal power not only wounds tbs ma
IS jesty Of the law, bu, furnishes pretext ia
u abridging the Liberties of the people, the Ia'
!; ter have the most direct and permanent 20
# teres, in preserving the great landmarks
e social order, aud maintaining. OH all occa
= sions, the invioIablity Of those constitution