The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-02-13

last respecting the Pennsylvania difficulties
The practice Of the Herald is strangely at vari.
ance with this text, as il has actually rdSted
nearly a column Of words in the attempt-nor
to prove our false position, il is true, but-to
cover up its evasion Of the question at issue be-
tween us.
The plain question is, what caused the late
difficulties at Harrisburgl We say that it was
the attempt Of Ritner, Stevens, and other Fed
eral Wings, by gross fraud to retain their par
ty in power. This has been proved by the d.
rect testimony Of two Whigs-Mr Strohms,
Senator, and Mr.. Montelius, Representa-
tive, in the Pennsylvania Legislature-both OF
whom were too honest to join in the conspra-
cy, and who have rendered to their constituents
plain statements Of the facts, the truth Of which
IS undeniable--" corroborated as they are by a
host of Witnesses, and TO the satisfaction of
"every honest and intelligent man, who fully
understands the subject"
We call upon the Herald to controyert these
statements and prove their falsity, if they can.
This it has not yet done, nor attempted to do
II has not even made direct denial of their
truth, but does so by implication only. As to
the indictments which the Herald parades so
Iconspicuously, and relies upon so confidently
"to carry conviction to every unprejudiced
mind" without comment from them-a few
words will suffice to explain their character
Every one knows that Grand Jury hears only
the evidence against the person implicated,
and that it is comparatively an easy matter to
procure an indictment against person to what
it is to convict of a crime. The Federal Wing
leaders in Pennsylvania understand this per-
fectly, and it can excite no wonder that they
should produce witnesses enough to procure
the Indictment Of the men who virtuously OPP
posed and frustrated their base designs. They
procured the indictments for the purpose of
making a screen behind which their own evil
deeds may be hidden from the eyes of the peo-
pie, but it is Of so limsy a character that any
truth-seeking man may see through it clearly.
The day Of trial has come and past and where
were the Federal witnesses l--TechnicaIly
speaking they were non est inueStus. Against
the expressed wishes of some of the gentlemen
indicted, their trial has been postponed by the
prosecuting counsel, on the plea of the absence
of Witnesses The following extracts from the
remarks of Mr.. Barton, before the Court, pla-
ces this piece of Whiggery in its true light
Mr. B. said, =" In the hands of his accusers
was placed the magic wand, by waving which
their witnesses-if they had any-would be
compelled to be forthcoming. Sheriffs and
constables danced upon their bidding. As the
Centurion Of old, he had only to say to his Of
hcer, "go, and he goeth; - and to his witness,
4" come, and he cometh"! =. He felt salts
fed, that if there Dere witnesses upon whose |
testimony his accusers would dare to proceed
with him before jury, they would at the pre-
sent time be on the alert. But it was evidently
intended to postpone the case, that, in the !
course of time, il might die natural death, |
and not be smothered by an acquittal. He had
no idea that it was intended ever to call it up
again. The counsel had a right, it was true, |
to continue the case in despite of any obiec- |
tons he might urge, but he would not let the |
contnuances occur without proclaiming those
objections, and evincing his readiness and aux-
iety to proceed to trial that the world might !
know who it was that cOurted, and who il was
that feared, and covered, and skulked from the |
action of an honest jury. He came prepared
as he believed, to establish his innocence
w netner tnefe had been rot, II was not for
him to say but he came prepared to show, that !
if there had been, he at least, had not been en-
gagged in it, His guilt had been trumpetted to
the whole commonwealth and all he asked for
was the opportunity of establishing his inno-
cence. and confronting his accusers before
Jury of his country"
The Herald asks why Gov. Ritner and his
associates have not been proceeded against for
their high handed misdeeds. We answer
hat they have been proceeded against, in the
'nly way in which provision has been made for
he punishment of such conduct-through the
BALLOT Box. The change of more than
THIRTEEN HUNDRED VOTES in one
senatorial district in that State, since last Oc-
ober, is severe rebuke to them, and concu-
lively shows that the honest freemen of Penn
ylvania FULLY UNDERSTAND THE
SUBJECT" and are determined to evince
heir detestation of the traitors and the treason.
TREMENDOUS Snow SToRM.-The gale