The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-07-01

was laid, ana stamp ana excise danes impOS-
ed, aHd these not being sufficient, loans were
resorted TO. Although these measures were
defended on the ground that a war with France
was fast impending-the Republican party
now, for the first time. assuming regular or
ganIZation. believed as ultimately appeared, that
France had no inclination 10 make war upon
US, and that the chief object Of all these meas
urss. some of which they considered unconsl-
tutionaI, was 10 break down the State authorities
and the independence ofthe people. for the pur-
pose Of enlarging the powers OF the General
Government and nsslmulating II to the admired
British model.
Around this Administration rallied all the
Inonarchists and aristocrais of the Revolution.
There were men taking an active part in the
struggle who fought for Independence but not
for Liberty. They desired to established the In
dendance Of the COUNTRY not that the PEOPLE
MIGHT BIZ FREE but that THEY might be its ru-
lers. They desired TO be tho titled nobility of
new monarchy. to be raised above the people
and live upon their labor in luxury aud
an clpinence they could never hope to gain SO
long as the country was tributary To a foreign
monarchy, which kept them far from the throne.
They were delighted with the Federal Admin
israiion of the elder Adams. pererying in its
measures tendency towards the end they had
from the beginning Of resistance to British pow
er, had steadily in view, Those men were
JDlned Nv most OI INC oll "HoSs SHlIci-
ings had inspired them with deadly hatred for
tlls Republican principles and men Of the Rev
ol0ion, and they now sousht their revenge mp
on the one by contributing 10 the subversion Of
the other. These combinations backed by the
National Bank, the Alien and Sedjiion Laws.
standing amy, the countenance and power Of
the Administration. and we may add willing
Judiciary, were full Of hope, insolent aud over
bearing. For time, leading Republicans could
scarce show themselves in public places or in
the streets Of the capital. without being hooted
al and insuted and that period in our conntrys
history acquired the appropriate name of" The
TdgR ofterr0r." No person." says Mr.. Jeff
srson. 'whe WAS not witness 70 the scenes Of
That gloo my period, can form any idea Of the a.
hIciing prosecutions and personal indigniiies we
had TO brook"
Startled at the bold usurpations Of the Fed
eral Government, and pereeivng in the esiab-
lishment OF the principles upon which II was
administered the certain loss of all that val
uab!e in the independence secured By the Rev
olution, the Republicans Of that day. the true
Wings of the Revolution, grded on their ar
NOR, AMI rushed to the rescue Of liberty and
the Constitution. Seeking only "the greatest
good OF the greatest number" having adopted
the principles of the Declaration Of Indep n
dence as their guide. and with its great author,
"sworn upon the altar Of God eternal hostility |
against every form OF tyrnany over the mind of
man" they took the field, resolved ever TO throw
the barriers which Federal authority was erect
ing around its apsnrpations. Men of talents
and learning took up the cause of the people with
tue zeal of apostles and the devotion OF martyrs.
They filled he newspapers with able and anma-
ted discussion, and throwing themsclues into the
Legislatures oGthe States. through Ia those organs.
in powerful addresses and resolutions, asserted
the true doctrines of the Constitution. After
short but severe struggle. the Democratic |
principles prevailed, and at the Presidential g.
lection Of 1900, Jefferson and Burr, the Repub |
iican candidates for President and Vice Pres
dent received a majority Of the electoral votes.
FEDERAL ELECTION FRAUDS OF 1901. |
A scene then ensued characteristic OF the
Federal anti idemocraic party. According to
the Constitution as il then was, no person was
voted for as Vice President The electors each
voted for two persons President the cand-
date having the highest number Of votes was 10 /
be President. Ii happened ia this case that
Jefferson and Burr had each the same number
of votes, so that il devsved upon the House Of
Representatives, voting by States, TO determine
who should be President. That both the peo-
pie and electors intended that Mr.. Jefferson
should be the President, there was uot the
slightest reason to donbt yet, in contempt Of {
vast maority ofpeople, the Federal party 10 the t
House, not being able to elect Burr, and de-
termined that so pure a Republican MS Jetfer- {
son should mt be elected ; determined to pre-
vent an election altogether, and provide by law
for the administration of the Government This
first attempt of the Federal party to trea, an e.
lection las if il bad not been held" aud the
means by which their objects was thw warted. are
thus described by Mr.. Jefferson in a letter TO
Mr.. Madison, dated 10Th December. IS0O viz.
There will be an absolate parity between
the two Republican candidates. This has pro.
duce1 great dsn,ay aud gloom on the Repubh-
can gentlemen here. and exultaton among the
FederalIss, who openly declare they will pre-
ven, an election, and will name President of
the Senate protein by. what they say. would on
ly be a stretch fthe Constitution. The month
OF February will therefore present us storms Of
new character:
On the Goth he says again to Mr.. Madison
The Federallsts appear determined to /
prevent an election, and 10 pass bill giving the
Government TO Mr.. Jay, as Chief Justice, or to
Marshall, as Secretary Of State" On the 18th /
al February, he says to Mr.. Monroe, -Four
days OF balloting have produced not a single
change Of a vote. If they could have been pet /
nitied to pass law for putting the Govern
nient into the hands of an officer they would (
Eaye prevented an election. Gut we though, (
it best TO declare openly and firmly, one and al, (
that the Day such an act passed. the middle \
States would arm, and that no such usupation
even Of a single day would be submitted TO.
The first shook them, and they were complete
ly alarmed at the reseuce for which we declar-
ed, 10 wit. convention 10 organize the Gov
ernment and to amend it. The very word con-
Ueatios gives them the horrors, as in the pres
eni Democratcal spirit OF America they fear
they should lose some Of the favorite morsels
of the Constitution.
In letter to Mr. Madison Of the 18th Of
February. (aftcr the choice) he says; The 4
minority in the House Of Representatives. after
seeing the impossibility Of electing MIR. Burr,
Inc certainty that legislative nsupatiou would be
resisted BY arms. and a resnntce To n cnnran.