The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-01-30

difficulties. But all was of no avail The
war-cloud he said was hnveriug over their
heads, threatening every momeat To burst
uPon ikrm with all lis appalling consequent
ces. They could see no other alternative,
than to lay aside party spirit and step on,
us patriots, to save our beloved country from
ruin. They therefore came to the resolu-
lion that the Government should lie pre-
served aud law and order maintained.
lie said, IN order ths, they may under
stand his situation the beu er, and more du-
ly tn appreciate his feelings, as well as mo-
tives IN the course he took, he would state
some circumstances which lie had not inten-
ded Ia refer to, but they seemed necessary 10
give some idea of the character of the pro-
ceedings he was accessory To, as well as
the m lives of some of their advocates.
He said he had received letters from
some of the leading men, who took an in-
terest in the proceedings identified with tn.
Cunningham House some time before he
started for Harrisburg requesting him with
out fail To he nj Harrisburg. few days be-
fore the 4th Of December, stating that such
request was made because measures of i'm
portance to the party were TO be submitted
To the members previous to the organization
of the Legislature. After they had assem-
bled in caucus it was proposed and agreed
upon, hut they should organize the House
without any reference or regard 10 the ac-
ton of the other party and for the pur-
pose of despatch, in effecting an organiza-
ton, Mr.. Cunningham the person agreed
upon tor MIR. Speaker, was TO procure him
self n small pocket Bible and have it in his
pocket, IN order To swear the members,
which lie accordingly did. He said he soon
discovered that all was not right, and began
to state his doubts about it, and his unwil-
lngness to MD m proceeding of the kind
No sooner did this come to the knowledge
of the leader, than lac wns beset wherever
he went, and importuned, and threatened in
various ways. All the heads of Depart.
ments either came to him personally ar
sent for him, informing him that the party
now depended OIL his going with them
that he dare not think of holding back now
One of them stated, that if he did fly the
course, they would write TO his district aud
have him broken down. After they left off
meeting at No. 40, at Wilson'S, and met in
one OF the committee rooms, several took
hold OF him one morning, and attempted to
torce him along into the room. lie said
he told them he could not-that his con-
science told him that il was not right, and
would not permit him to go with them.
On one occasion, he said, when he made
the same remark to Mr.. Steveps he,
(Stevens) replied tina, he must 90 with them,
and should let his conscience go to He'll
or words to that effect. He sai.i he called
on the Governor one day, 10 talk with him
about it, when there, Mr.. Stevens had come
IN slso-or perhaps had been there before
In conversation with the Governor, as to
what was going on. Stevens, alluding Il
him as he supposed, said that there wer,
some doubts us to some Of their party goirl
with them. The governor replied, that i
any one did give way he ought, or he hoped
he would he damned-or words TO tbnt a.
mount.
This. he said, was a summary of th,
proceedings SD far as he was concerned il
them. For the course which his conscience
had dictated tn him to pursue, he had beer
denounced in n most shameful manner, by
party whose principles he had supposed
purer than to permit. much less perpetrate
such an outrage upon the rights sf the pro
pie. He had charity enough to believe tha
there might he an honest difference Of opin
ion with respect to political measures S,
far he was willing to 60 with party, whicl
emter,nins the same opinion he did, MS Il
maintain il as long us it is honestly enter
tanned, and by honest means. But when
party proposes measures, which are in fac
admitted to be wrong by the very men VIII,
propose them, and which are most obvious
iy unjust, then he must protest, he saiJ, a
gainst going with that party any further
Let them denounce him as they please,
his conscience should he his guide us {,
the course he should lake as their repre.en
tatve. He held that honesty WAS the bes
policy for any party, and that, when lhr
principle was laid aside for the purpose q
obtaining mere party ends, it was time ia
every honest man to withhold his CO. opera
tion.
In conclusion he said he must beseec
his fellow citizens, that they would hereal
ter curb party spirit, and prevent il fro,
rising AS high as it had done of late. II
said, you have just witnessed fearful e,
ample Of its peroicious effects.-Our her
tofore peaceful commonwealth was on Il
eve of revolution. How far he had a
agency in ayerting this dreadful disast
was for them to Judge. To know that
had done what his conscience told him wi
right, was consolation enough for hir
He hoped that the Allwise God, who h'
hitherto so bountifully blessed our count
and government, would always keep the
under the control Of men, whose censcien
would not suffer them knowingly to CONN
awropg act, aud MI would be well.
Extract from n letter published in &
Pennsylvania, dated