The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-04-10
FRIENDS OF Equal LAWS,

'o'dtc' ior vigorous and united efforts TO elec
the candidates proposed by the Democratic
Convention. They are well known 20 the free
men; and were il otherwise, would still be enti-
tied to the support of all disposed to confde in
the discrimination and fidelity ofthe committee,
to'whom the Convention transferred its nomina-
ting power BE assured, if the candidates re-
commended for your suffrages are successful,
that they will prove themselves worthy of your
choice.
You have recently witnessed here, within our
own State, the results Of federal domination.
Long and unproftabe sessions oftlre Assembly
laws passed only TO be suspended or repealed
legislation regulated by no fxed principle. Of
public policy, but vacillating as the varying and
conflicting views of party ex?edency, have
shown. most glarngly, that the government has
fallen into weak or wicked hands. A course of
legislation has been pursued so imbecile and i'll
advised, especially in regard to temperance, that
many wings have Withdrawn from the state ad
ministration, their confidence and support. On
great public question, you have seen our OPP
ponents, in body where they exercised com
piete control, shrink from the performance OF
their legitimate duties, and impose upon the
towns, respectively, responsibility which they
were bound themselves to have assumcd-thus
authorising the imposition ofaws local and par
tal, and not embracing within their provisions
the whole people Of the State. Such you will
find to be their policy, whenever and wherever
they are required to act upon questions, which
have an important, but perplexing bearing, upon
their continuance in power. The retention Of
an ascendancy, which they acquire but seldom
and retain but for a season. is Of far more con-
sequence with them, than just and wholesome
legislation: the welfare Of the State they hold
subordinate to the triumph of party.
II we turn from our domestic history to mark
the progress of events elsewhere in the Union,
we shall find ample cause for renewed exertions
TO place Rhode Island, once more, in close ALI
ance with the Democraic'States. A year ago,
the troubled aspect of affairs was well calcua-
ted TO encourage the hopes of the opposition,
and stimulate them to fresh efforts in pursuit of
power. In the gloom Of national distress which
then prevailed, the genius Of federalism breath
ed its consenia atmosphere. When enter
prise lay PROSTATE from overaction, and no
power but time could give relief, the foes of
democracy rushed forth TO strive for victory, by
asgravating the suiiorings, and decorating afresh
the wounds, of Il bleeding country. Like birds !
of night they came forth amid the welcome
darkness, and scattering dsmay and panic in
their path, sent forth, on every blast, their dis
NAL croakings Of want, and woe and ruin. For
awhile, local aud temporary triumphs marked
their career, and inspired them with the delu
sive hope OF a general victory. Many, who had
contributed to promote the embarrassment, in
which the country was involved. cndcayored 70
escape from the odium incurred by the failure
of visionary and extensive schemes for accumu
latng wealth, by charging upon the Govern.
ment the consequences Of their avarioe and fol-
Iy. Others. inattentive TO the ebb and flow of
commercial affairs and unable to comprehend
tile causes of the prevailing distress, were led by
federal scphstry to believe that il resulted from
the despotic measures Of Government inimical
TO commerce. They were told that unless the
administration, or its policy, was changed, and a
national bank established, there was no escape
from inevitable and overwhelming ruin. But
the administration and its policy alike remain
unchanged; no national bank exists 10 corrupt
the purity or control the freedom, Of elections !;
yet the gloom that hung over us has been dis
PEELED. and the land lies smiling in the suulipb,
of renewed prosperity. The predictions of fed
eralism havcproved as false as they were futile
Its deception has been exposed. and the wall.
ings Of political Jeremiahs have ceased to pro.
duce alarm.
The results Of the late elections in New En-.
gland afford abundant proof, that the sober sec
ond thought Of the people approves the policy
oi the administration, and that doubts and fears.
which panic engendered for a season. are pass
ing rapidly away. The recent victory in the
Granite State came like thunderbolt upon the
opposition, and gave the first seriou. blow to
their hopes Of soon gsasping the government Of
the Union. True, in Connecticut. thew have
again succeeded but by majority diminished
more than three thousand votes, within wear.
Yet nth this sad augury Of their fate when the
democracy shall again meet them in the ield.
they I'LL their papers with hurrshs, and shout, as
II they vere blind to the haudw wrifins on the |
wall. to the dash sl'd ,srritle ,spers Win which
the future towns spou ~ ! Thrlr ~ :
like that Of shs s wcs|> - M <l>1
snd make m<yvy n ~ 4 p