The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-06-24
POLITICAL.
ADDRESS
To the People Of the United States
tCoacluded.l


calls for the most serious consideration Of the
people. Charged a. that bsdy is with the
guardianship OF the great interests Of the ceun-
try, the public have light 10 expect that these
who compose il will devote themselves with nm
divided attention and unremitiing zeal to the
execution Of that high and responsible trust.-
In what manner this inst expectation has been
fulfilled, will be seen in the history Of the pres
ent and the three preceding sessions. Its prop
er deliberations have been perpeiualy disturbed
by discussions having no relation to the subject
matters Of legislation before it, producing in
terminable delays in the transaction OF The
public business, and embarrassing and postpop-
ing ordinary and indispensable measures. es-
ssntial 10 ine common defence and general vel
fare, and clearly demanded by tho expressed
wishes Of the people. Nor arc these the worst
features in this picture Of degenerate lss ssislaon.
Controversies of a personal character have more
than once usurped the place Of calm reasoning
and fair debate. marked in their progress by
angry recrimiDatiOn, and sometimes termiDa-
ting in acts Of violence; thusconveriipR Hall,
which should be dedicated TO the sacred pur.
poses Of legislation. to the protection Of the
rights Of the people and the preservation Of the
public honor, into theatre for the exhibition
Of vndictve passions.
The brief review which wo have given Of the
condnct Of the Opposition in Congress is in
perfect accordance with the course Of the
Federal party during our second war of indie
pendence. They propose no measures, though
protesting an earnest desire to relieve the couu-
try from prevailing smbarrsssments. They
have steadily resisted every effort of the Ad-
minislration 10 carry into execution the plan
which it has proposed for separating the fiscal
operations OF the Government from IN C orpo rated
institutions, and which has a direct tendency
to restrain that dangerous banking power which,
by their agency, and under the influence Of
their counsels, had grown up almost to an
equality with the Government itself Thus
have the constituted authorities Of the land
been lett Poweress as to the control Of the
money OF the people, and the punshment of
defaulters, who have violsied the trusts confided
TO their hands. They have charged the Dem
ocratc party with wastefuI sxtravagance, be-
cause the expenditures under this and the pre-
oeding Administration. have been necessarily
increased by removal Of the Indians from
within our settled borders a measu re alike wise.
and essential TO the safety of our citizens and
distinguished by the most paternal clemeucy
10 the unfortunate savage. They have found
eo similar accusations upon the exertions Of
the Government to arrest the burnines, the
tomaha~k, and the scaping knife, which have
covered Florida with blood and desolatiop
They have superaded TO all this attempts 10
obstrsct the regular course of legislation. by
technical objections and motions, and by every
strategy which parliamentary forms would per
inif' and the most fertile ingenuity could in
vent. by this course Of conduct, they have
so impaired the high dignity and bearing of the
great representative body Of the people, as to
excite the most serious appreheusions in the
bosom of every lover Of order, and Of every
irend OF his country, as TO its moral cobse-
qnences, and its tendency to lessen the confidence
Of the world in our free institutions.
1t was 10 have been expected that, in nomi.
mating candidate for the Presidency, the whg
party would select some individual whose DO
hflca principles, so far as they have been dis
closed IN his public acts and declarations. are
in accordance with their own. This expecta-
ton has been fulfilled, in nomination of Goner-
al William Henry Harrison by the Harrisburg
Convention. He may be Justly regarded as
true exponent of the political doctrines Of the
party winch have pat him forward as their
leader and representative. Before the contest
between Thomas Jefferson and the elder
Adams in 1898, he had been already in public
life; and upon the separation of partie. on the
lending political questions of that day. he be-
came supporter Of the latter. From that
ume tethe present, nothing has appeared in his
pubic acts evincing any change Of opinion on
ms part IN respect either to the questions re.
ierred TO, or to others which have grown out Of
subsequent divisions upon measures involving
great principles Of government and policy In
deed those who now take upon themselves to
speak Tor him anthoritatively, and TO be the ex-
poanasrs OF his principles, have publicly de.
ciarcd that on all the exciting questions which
formerly agitated, and still ssta,e the public
mnd ms opinions remain unchanged"
we may, therefore, justly appeal to his
former course and opinions as the criterion by
winch he is now TO be judged. He stands
confessed as supporter OF the most obnoxious
iedera'ist mHasures-ihe alien and sedition
laws, and the standing army ofthe elder Adams
the high toned doctrines Of the Younger and
the administration of both. From both he re-
csved confidence and favor, and from both
puoic Office. IL other proof of his federalism
he necessary. it will be found in the posi,ion he
now occupies rs the sole candidate Of the mod
ern Wing party for the highest Office in the
siit OF the people.
Relying as we do. for the success Of our
cause. upon the great principles Of consttu-
'ional right aud popular liberty. wo do not feel
called on to make direct issue with the sup
porters ofGen Harrison. on the question Of his
claims 10 the title Of hero. We cannot, how
ever, but remember the expressed apprehen-
sions Of tho party hnt support him, uttered by
their great leader a few years since, that tho
elevation Of military chieftain 10 the presi-
dency, woul1 DC oi more tatal tendency than
"war, pes,ence. and famine" Il is true. we
might question bis claim to place in history
ss great military leader; and on this issue
we might call for the universal judgment Of
his country. Acts should speak for them
selves, and NEST especially military exploits !;
and the General who requires from his subal.
terms their written testimonials TO prove the wis.
dom Of his conduct, the fact Of bis presence in
danger, or the value Of his services 10 his coun-
Try can scarcely aspire to the dignity Of hero
Are we mistaken in the fact that doubts and
questions surround the military reputation OF
Gen. Harrison! Did they not exist even in his
ramp and among his brave and ehicien, ofiicersl
Did they not reach the Congress or the Uuited