The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-01-29

THURsTos have consented TO become our can
didstes. in stations subordinate 10 those 70
which they were proposed at the last election
Influenced by no pslrry ambition. but animated
with ardent wishes for our success they cared
not what place might be assigned them in III,
fight. They were willing 10 be posted whersv
er they could render the most essential seryie,
TO their friends. In sucha cause, they were a.
ready to follow as TO lead. Let but the spiri
which they have manifested inspire our ranks
and il will incite to union and energetic action
and victory must be ours.
! The friends Of popular government. in III,
state, never hsd greater cause. than now exists
for cordial and active cooperation. What
NOR. is necessary to rouse them to the work ol
reform. than the recollection that whig control
has brought stain upon the b h,nor OF the state.
which nothing but the triumph Of better prin-
\ ciplss and better men can effacel No act, in
the history Of her legislation. ever affected more
linjurionsly the credit Of r. Island, than the
minis,raton gave to tho recent suspension Of
the banks. Knowing, sstbey did. that nc good
reasons existed to justify the aet-knowing too
that its effects at home were oppressive, and
discreditable abroad, they refused not only to
enjoin upon the banks a speedy resumption,
but even TO express the slightest eensure OF
their course. The suspension itself was an evil
Of sufficient magnitude to call for public repro
baton but it was comparatively harmless in
its effects. TO that inflicted upon the character
Of the state, when its legislature sanctioned
an act, which hank presidents and directors,
who had been forced into it against their will
and better Judgment admitted 10 have been un
wise and inerpedient, unnecessary and unus
Nor was it wonderful that the legislature should
refuse 10 frown upon this proceeding of the
banks, when certain influential members Of the
House were the prime movers Of the suspen-
sion. What thoss leading wings had done as
citizens-s individuals looking only to their
own interests-they Of course felt bound. when
acting as legislators TO defend and maintain
Such suspension. so originating. could want
neither advocacy nor support, or fail to he sus-
o..
In the remarks we have made, we are actua-
ted by no hostility to the banks. The sole OBJ
Ject OF the democracy. in regard TO them. i, to
restrain such corporations within their proper
bounds. Influence they will and ought to
have. in the management Of public affairs; but
not to that extent they now possess. To check
this overgro~n and overwhelming control, we
call upon the honest of all parties who have de-
nounced the recent conduct Of the legislature
and the banks. We invoke all. who believe
that the government Of the state should be in
the hands Of the fre-meD, and not of the corpo.
rations they have created. 10 cooperate with US
10 the work Of reform. The ingenuity Of the
opposition is exerted as usual. to divert the at
at home, by endeavoring TO produce upon the
public mind an impression, that there is some
thing in the policy Of the general government
adverse TO the interests Of Rhode Island. But
the time has gone by, when groundless panics
can be raised effeetusIly TO subservs the views
Of the party, TO whom we are opposed. Time
and experience have shown tho falsehood Of
their predictions. and confirmed the wisdom Of
the measures they condemned. Among those
measures, there were none so fruitful to them
OF plausible pretexts for continued opposition,
as that of an Independent Treasury. For a
while they did succeed in producing general a.
version TO this great project Of democracy but,
after long and full consideration, the people
have become convinced that there is nothing
Unconstitutional or dangerous, in permitting
their agents, under all the safe guards and pre-
ventives which the law can impose. to hold the
public money for public uses. Wesay it. with
the proof of our assertion before us, that there
are influential whigs, who approve Of this lead
ing measure Of the ad administration nay more.
that, If report speaks true, they are named for
Office in the prox, which a whig Convention
has just formed and published in the state. The
conviction has been forced upon them at last,
that an Independent Treasury is one Of the most
efficient remedies for the cmbarassmeuis, which
excessive credit, wild speeuIstions. and panics
raised for party ends, have brought upon the
country. To this great measure, misrepresen-
ted as dangerous aud desructive--on which
federalism erected it's strongest battery ,gainst
democratic NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. is ev-
dently subsidine. under consietion OF its sal
utary tendency. What then will remain to
feed contention, and crafty that ravenous appe-
ti,e with which the monster, party, preys upon
the vitals Of the esuouy
For three years past. the democracy of tn.
state has fought bravely against fearful odds
against the wealth. Of individuals. and of corpo-
rations clothed vith exclusive privileges and
powers. aud armed by the people with weapons
which they turn against their bsnefaetors. In
every contest within that period. We have sp-
preached nearer to the goal Of victory and il
would be strange indeed, il nov surrounded by
the most favorable circumstances. With men for
our candidates long tried fsitbful and .,;o,;..