Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-08-22
Whig Meeting.

The meeting was called to order by VIM. $.
Nichols Esq. when Michael Freeborn, Esq.
was appointed Chairman, and James Atkin-
son, Secretary.
After the notice for the call of the meeting
wac read, the Chairman called upon the
freemen to express their sentiments fully in
regard to the important object for which they
had convened.
The following Resolutions were then of.
fcred by George Bowen, Esq. and after being
read, on motion Of Gov Engs, were unani'
mously adopted:
(See first three resolutions below
The Circular to ''lhe Wings of Il. Island
signed by Nicholas Brown und others, was
then alluded to by Henry Y. Cranston, Esq
us containing sentiments worthy Of the con-
sidcraton of all the Wing freemen in the
State. The Circular was then read, and met
with a hearty response by all present. After
which the following resolution, submitted hy
the Secretary, was unanimously adopted:
[See fourth resolution below.]
On motion of WIN. s. Nichols, Esq. it was
voted that the resolutions adopted at this
meeting, be published in the Herald Of the
Times and Newport Mercury, signed by the
Chairman and Secretary.
Capt. Robinson Potter addressed the
me citing at considerable length, his usu
al earnest and effective style. He urged
upon the freemen the necessity of arous-
ing and waking up to the work before
us. lie considered tho approaching
election would be one Of the most i'm
por,ant that was ever held in this State.
There never was a time when our whole
strength was moro needed than at this
time. Speaking Of the Wing candi-
dates, he reminded tho freemen that they
were men Of their own choice-unani-
mously recommended by Convention
emanating from them. They were tried
men, and every way worthy of our sup
port-he therefore considered it our duty
to support them unitedly. If any were
troubled with ke-warmness, now was
tho time he said, to shake it of, and
come to the support of the good Wing
cause. Mr.. Il. dwclt some time upon
the fearless and independent manner in
which Mr.. Cranston discharged his duty
in the last session of Congress-reicr-
ring to his votes on tho duel investiga-
ton and the Maine war bill. Mr.. G.
he said, for his independent course, had
been abused and stigmatizcd by his
political opponents, but in his view, he
had gained great credit for his judgment
and 6rmness. MIR. =. then took full
view of the political prospects before us,
and reiterated the Importance Of securing
the election Of our Representatives.
The West, he considered were looking
to us, expecting every man to do his
duty. lie described the odds which
were against us, by the immense hordes
of Office holders aided by the Govern
mcnt patronago-and concluded by an
earnest appeal that not Wing slumber
at his post on Tuesday next.
Henry Y. Cranston, Esq. then address
sed the meeting in short, but animated
speech. lie said that it had been well
remarked by the gentlemen who prece-
ded him, (Mr. P.) that the election,
close at hand, in this State, was an i'm
portant one. The elections which had
taken place heretofore were important
elections, but this he considered more
important than any which had for years
preceded it. lie spoke Of the recent
Western elections, and remarked that
so far from their results operating to dis
hcarten US, we should, as truo Wings,
the more earnestly set about the work in
which we were engaged. The little
State of Rhode Island, he said, might,
hold the balance of power in the next
House Of Representatives, and was it
not, therefore, important, that we should
maintain our present proud position p
MIR. Cranston referred to the elections
in 1887, when this State obtained nearly
thousand majority, and asked what
there was now to slacken the ardor and
vigor Of any man? Why, ho asked, can
we not confidently look forward now to
as large majority as we had then q
The Wings have it in their power to
triumph by large majority, if they arc
true to themselves and the cause. The
Van Buren, party, said Mr.. G.. were do.
ing all in their power 1t had been sug-
gested that they had brought forward
their wcak men. Ho would remind the
lrcemen that they were mistaken who
called them ueak men-that party had