Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-03-29
From the Providence 10 urna
THE ENEMY IN THE FIELD.

It is now more than week since prox
was put forth by the Loco Foco party with
the name of Gov. Francis at the head. We
have deferred making any allusion to that
Prox, knowing that several Of the gentlemen
named in it had not been consulted, especial
ly the Governor himself After declining,
in positive and unequivocal terms, being
again candidate for reelection, and on ac-
count of his resolve. having been branded as
"a eo,card," term applied to him not by the
Wings, but by those who profess to love him
dearly he knowing how our Country is bleed
ing from the severe wounds inflicted by that
class of which he 10 an adherent, has been
Aattered BY corps of political demagogues,
and hos allowed them TO set him up as
mark for public reprobation.
For this course, Gov. Francis cannot ex-
pect to escape censuro. II is our duty to
expose the conduct OF his associates to lift
the veil which conceals the machinery behind
it, and so that the people may observe whose
humble instrument he is, and what they are
to gain by the choice OF him and hs coad-
tutors.
II will be remembered that at the last
January session of the General Assembly, q
Loco Foco Convention met at the State
House in this city, the evening following the
nomination Of WILLIAM SPRAGUE by the
Il Wings. The chief managers in that august
assemblage, were sundry Custom House Of.
/ fcers and Dutee j. Pedrce. A Committee
was appointed, of which the latter person
was the chairman, to report TO the meeting a
/ Prox for general officers. As Gov. Francis
at that time had learned Of the nomination OF
/ Mr. Sprague, he prudcntly declined compet-
/ ton. This was such q damper upou the
movements of Mr.. Pcarce e. Co., that they
| were finally authorized whenever they could
form Prox to publish it, Accordingly from
THAT time until last Saturday week all their
| efforts were directed at Gov. Francis. Day
| after doy was onsumed-argumen.s,w which
one would have thought might have moved
him, were employed-sober and imperative
calls upon his honor, gratitude, heroism-the
political glory Of the past and the yet bright
er glory Of the future were depicted in brill
| liant colors to his imaginaton-the fame
which he would acquire at Washington and
among the piratlcal band which is now feast
ling upon the ruin of thousands, if he would
| but lend his name-and more than all, the aid
which he could render Dutee J. Pearce, all,
| all would not avail. The Governor was ini-
movable he was not solicitous OF Wat
erloo defeat, and he assured Messrs. Pearce
| s, Co. that he could, under no circumstances,
| be candidate.
II But his assurances had, il seems, COM
paratively little influence with them. The
authority Of his name was required, and they
had accordingly assumed the responsibility,
Il like sour venerable Ex President" and placed
| him ut the head Of their ticket. The Gov
ernor has had ample time and opportunity to
withdraw not having done so, ne must be
considered as a willing advocate of the
measures which his party maintan. Con-
sidering the former position of Governor
| Francis, and the tendency of course which
his good judgment must teach him Is alto
/ gether wrong, his true friends exceedingly
regret tha, lie should persist in giving coun-
II tenance to doctrines inimicsl TO the primary
Interests of society. We lament his infat-
uation, and must express surprise that when
his party is dying, nay dead, in many Of the
/ States, he should consent to be its victim in
Rhode Island.
Il II is our determination in the pending
| contest, to abstain as we have heretofore,
Il from personal vituperution. In Governor
II Francis we have a gentleman of funimpcached
private reputation, and we profess to respect
| him there quite as highly as those who are
reckoned as his political associates. We
would not as they have done within the past
month, brand him as a coward. On the con-
trary, we presume that there is no man more
sincere in his friendships, or one who would
more studiously avoid lnfic,ing personal
| injuries. Our sympathies are rather ,ciih him,
/ than against him, because he feels that he is
II in a false position, and he undoubtedly
mourns over the step which has placed him
where he is. Under such circumstances, and
with the prospect too, of inevitable defeat, it
would be cruel to taunt him more than the
state Of tho controversy will warrant. In oil,
therefore, that we may say in reference to
his Excellency, let it be distinctly understood
that we deal only with his public career; that
is the property Of the public, and in allowing
his name to be used as the Loco Foco can.
didate for Governor, the, Of course, must
come in for his share of the odium which is
attached to his party.