The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-07-17
From the Providence Courier.
CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION.

But few weeks will elspse, ere the freemen
Of this State will be called on TO give in their
votes Tor candidates to represent them ia the
next Congress Of the United States. The two
gentlemen who were members Of the last Con-
gress. have already been in nomination and
who will be brought up against them, or il any
ones will, we have not the means Of knowing al
present.
With the political party spirit and feeling in
voyed IN the question, we have nothing to do.
But. as those imbued with New England
feelings, and impressed with the high impor-
tance Of correct national principle, and the sa-
cred and imperious duty Of the public press to
sustain it, we deem it our right, and duty we
ove-to the public to express our views as to
one, perhaps both Of the candidates in nomina-
ton. This we shall do, without adulation or
harshness.
Those who have been conversant with the
columns Of our paper, are well aware that we
condemned, without favor or parialty, the
duel in which CilIey fell. and every person. Of
whatever party. who had aught to do with it,
We condemned the duel, not as political af-
fair, but as an outrage on law, justice, humanity,
and as an insult 10 the natien--and as a dis
grace to Congress, degrading to all concerned.
and to all who either justified or paliated this
unlawful transaction. We had the pleasure to
hho' hoh ohiy tbS PcopfC VI oHc Paitys oue
vast majority VI all parties, in perfect accordance
with these vews.-Not only the presses Of one
party, but nearly all Of both parties, sustained
them. And even in Congress, the honorable
and humane, who loved the law and order more
than political advancement, and who loved their
country more than party triumph, put their
seal of condemnation on the bloody deed, and
demanded that justice should be meted out 20
the aggressors. Throughout this whole trans
action, there was one man in the House Of
Representatives, who was sent into that body to
speak the language, aud to utter the sentiments
of Rhode Island heemen, who by every vote he
gave on the subject, resisted every attempt at
investigation. That man was Robert B.
the people of New England, and particular
those of Rhode Island, Mr.. Cranston had the
hardhood to record his votes on every motion
and resolution touching the question Of the in
vestig alton, and in so doing, virtually denied
the right of Congress to interfere; even though
the members Of that body should desecrate the
very streets Of the capital with blood. In can
dor, we put the question-Where is the cti-
zen of Rhode Island, who will presume to JUS
tfy the votes Of Mr.. Cranston, on that subject
Where is the man who will say that they were
right and just, and attempt TO fortify his po.it-
ion by argument Where is the man who
will say that a majority Of Rhode Island free
men-a very large maJority-did not and do
not condemn the act !-Where is the man who
can conscienciously give his vote for candidate
who has, by his aye or no in Congress, apollo
gised for the duelst, and screened his conduct
even from investigation, unless himselfa duelst
in principle! These are serious and impor-
tant questions. They are questions which
every one ought to discuss with calmness and
candor, in order to come to the firm conviction,
before casting his vote that he is about to act
as his country requires at his hands.
In his political views and feelings, for any
thing we know, Mr.. Cranston may be perfectly
correct but, were he a Lycurgus, Solon. or
even Solomon in politics, we should hope
that those opposed to the crime Of duelling
would not put forth their aid to hel his elec-
ton. What-aid the election of man who
had voted to cover up the iniquity of the blood
stained duelist from the public gaze. and from
the scrutiny Of his Peers What man can do
it. till he have forsworn New England princi-
pies and New England feelings, and trampled
on the precept and example of the New Eng
land fathers !-True it may be said, and no
doubt truly, that Mr.. Cranston acted indePend-
antly, and on his own settled convictions Of
right.
But this alters not the case. The question
is, did he act according to the views of his
constituents upon the subject The answer is
NO ; and because he holds principles. which the
public consider wrong, and acts on them too,
it is that he ought not to be reelected and 1T
is astonishing to many that he should have
been renominated. Two opposites cannot be
alike. nor can they be both right, where correct
principle is involved. Hon. Joseph l.. Tilling-
hast, our other Representative, voted against
Mr.. Cranston throug ghout the whole discussion.
We say MIR. Tilipghast acted properly. BY
the same rule Mr.. Cranston acted improperly.
Many will say this is an affair Of no impor-
tance. Mr.. Cranstcn is right on other political
questions, and that is enough. This is the
curse Of political party spirit. Duels may be-
come the common occurrences Of ffe--deeds
of blood may be perpetrated in open day-our
streets may become the arena Of the duest,
whom we consider no better than another muir
dersr. All this is Of no importance in high
political life, and the man who would sentence
to the galows the murderer in low life, can
apologize for the honorable dueiiist, and ask,
perhaps receive, the suffrages Of an enlightened
people, for one of the highest Of Offices in their
gift Are the people Of Rhode Island, of any
party, ready thus to sacrifice every thing valua-
bic to party political ambition We hope not.
NAVY DEPARTMENT.,