The Rhode Island Republican

COMMUNICATION
When villainy is licenced and the vilest scoundrels
are suffered to disgrace the face of day, with their
odious appearance, popular indignation may be
expected. We were led to this remark from
a circumstance which took place in this town
some days since. We shall be ever ready to stand
forward in defence of the reputation of the town,
when it shall be in danger nor will we do it hypo-
critically. We cannot conceive the situation of this
people so desperate as to render it necessary to call
in the aid of calumny and malignant slander to sup-
port their good character--but if it needs any shield
it should be that of truth and justice.
The late circumstance of hanging the effigy of
Selmming in this place, however it may have a
tendency to do honour or discredit to the town, is
nevertheless attributable to its inhabitants, and to
them only. We were induced to observe this not
on account of any honour we think the town has
gained by the transaction, but, because slander and
hypocrisy veiled in the garb of justice, has attempt-
ed to fix the imputation on an individual whose exal-
ted soul is above such a consideration, and in whom
it would be highly unbecoming and improper. We
now assert, and we do it on the most undoubted au-
thority, that no person from Boston had any concern
in the affair alluded to--that it was brought forward
and matured by citizens of this town, without the
aid, knowledge or advice of any other persons and
we further declare, that any one who has asserted,
or who may assert, that Mr. AUSTIN, of Boston, or
any other person of that town, had any agency, or
concern in the transaction alluded to, is a liar and
calumniator
Mr. AUSTIN is a man, who has long been distin-
guished as a firm supporter of Republicanism.
His active pen has long
been wielded in defence of
those principles, in maintaining which, he,
in com
mon with his fellow-citizens, suffered every priva-
tion during the long and arduous conflict which ter-
minated in our liberty and independence. It is for
this that the whole force of Federal, (we might in
act say, British) influence, has levelled its deadly
and envenomed shafts against him-it is for this he
has long been the object of their malignant hatred
and vile abuse.
As it respects the offer which was so pompously
made for the discovery of the persons concerned, and
which we believe was made by Selmming himself,
we will only observe-if the author of the base
calumny which has gone abroad respecting it, will
give up his name, every man concerned in that af-
fair will avow himself.