The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-04-09
FROM THE LIBERTY BOYS OF RHODE
ISLAND

FROM THE LIBERTY BOYS OF RHODE
ISLAND.
The following interesting account, con-
tanned in letter to gentleman in public
situation, now in this city. has been handed to
US for publication.
PaovIDsscE, (R. - March 81, lsaO
Dear Sir-Knowing your undertaking devotion
10 the whig cause and the interest you feel In The
progress Of Il Al this important crisis, must give
you sketch Of the transactions OF Saturday last In
our city, near the spot where Roger Williams, our
patriarch first landed and raised the log cabin In
which he lived and devoted his life 10 the cause oil
freedom, In opposition to arbitrary power In every
form. These transactions naturally brought to mind
that portion Of OR early history, though chiefly de-
signed TO call TO our recollection the more recent
privaons and exeItions Of the great western patri-
arch and champion In The same glorious cause. On
Saturday we raised our Rhode Island log cabin"
In token Of our devotion TO the free principles assert
ed by Roger Williams and defended by William II.
Harrison and planted the Tree OF Liberty In front
OF Il, deep and firm in token Of the depth and firm
ness Of our united determination TO support those
principles trinmphanlly at the next Presidential
election.
The first man on the ground was one Of the Rhode
island farmers, who gave The logs, you know him 10
be, like the farmer of North Bend, real working
man. Next appeared one OF our first merchants,
with load Of hoes and shovels on his shoulder,
which he Immediately distributed among our spirit
ed young merchants mee hanics, laborers, farmers
and professional They all fell to workto even
the earth, for the house to rest upon firmly. II was
both raising and dwelling operation at The same
time. II was really enough TO do patriotic heart
good TO see our sons Of wealth capable OF rising
above the foolish pride Of wealth; OF feeling their
essential equality with their whig brethren, and
honoring themselves by toiling and laboring with
them to promote the good Of our common country
you will agree with me that this is our proper way
Ito defeat the wicked policy Of setting the rich and
| pool at variance.
Then came on some OF our first rate mechanics
and intelligent, laborers with plenty of spades, pick
axes and crow-bars These were soon distributed
and the grave Of loco focoism in this State soon
dug. From II The Tree Of Liberty now rises points
towards Heaven and augurs better days.
Soon was heard the crack Of whips, the voices Of
our jolly draymen and young farmers, the rumbling
OF wagons loaded with timber from the country, up
Roger Williams Hill, at full jump, amidst the ac-
CARNATIONS Of the people and the anmating strains
Of the Providence Band Each log, ready prepared,
was taken In succession from the wagons as they
drove up, by voluntary companies OF men Of all oc-
equations and professions formed the spur Of the
occasion, and carried TO the building spot, pre-
ceded by fife and drum, playing Yankee Doodle
and Harrison's March.
The raising Of our liberty pole, ninety feet in
length, gave us gratifying specimen Of the skill and
activity of our sea faring brehrenthat brave &C.
nerous and patriotic class of fellow citizens II
is sound, straight tree; sound the principles OF
our candidates; free from crooks will be his po-
Icy No accident, but the most favorable auspices
attended The elevation Of it. 1t went up in fine style
from the West rising, by the force of the popular
WILL gradually, but surely. without bending either
to the South orto the North. "The star spanged ban
ner" then run up upon II to the cheering sound
of Washington's March and the accamations Of
freemen. AT that moment favorable Southern
breeze sprung up, unfoded the national flag and ex
hibed all the stars and stripes the best advantage
In union and all moving In the same direction.
BY way Of refreshment after fatigue, an enormous
cheese of the first quality cut, barrel of crack
ers unheaded, cask Of " hard cider tapped, ge-
neral repast enjoyed and success drank TO the "Log
Cabin Candidate"
must not forget to tell you that several who have
heretofore voted the administration side Joined in
the doings Of the day. One leading man Of that
description, we'll known to you, subscribed to defray
the expenses Of the day to my certain knowledge.
An office holder arresting one Of our mechanics,
said, your house will be too open and cold for old
Harrison" "Never mind" replied the man, che
is tough, and not at all difficult. Besides we only
design il for summer residence. He will soon
move into the White House.