The Rhode Island Republican

NEWPORT:
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1811.

THE BRITISH FACTION AT ISSUE!

"We detest all political societies," say many of the Federalists of this town, nor shall we sanction any such. Say you so, gentlemen, and will ye not join your "seniors" in the glorious work of effecting a revolution in our country, and in pulling down our Republican Constitution?—But will any of the small fry or the mechanics, who are dependent on those seniors, for their support DARE to act in opposition to the will of their masters?—they dare not.—They are bought and sold, as with a price; and instead of exercising that independence, which every mechanic ought to possess they will basely barter away their birth-right for the paltry pittance of a mess of pottage. The federalists have been called upon from some obscure quarter to convene and form a plan to perpetuate their political principles, and will probably assume the name of Washington! And will heaven permit such base impiety? Will not the lightning of the Almighty blast the wretches who can thus hypocritically invoke the great Friend and Father of his country? How will the old tories and refugees, who always have, and do to this very day, hate the name of Washington, appear in such a Society?—yet they must be admitted. How will those pampered wretches appear, who have struggled for many years past to overthrow that fair fabric, which Washington was so instrumental in erecting?—yet they will appear, and be foremost in the ranks of this heterogeneous mass.

We certainly do not object to the principle of establishing any Society, either moral, religious, or political provided they are not intended to subvert the interests of our country, or annihilate our present invaluable constitution. But when any set of men, no matter of what sect, shall adopt measures, which have a tendency to reduce us under a monarchy (for such we believe is the object of the leading federalists, and tories) we doubt not the plan will be spurned by every honest American, whether Republican or federal. Nay; more—if it is the object of such Societies, to meet and secretly foment insurrection, the strong arm of government, at the bayonets point, must annihilate them, and crush their feeble efforts.