The Rhode Island Republican

FROM THE BOSTON YANKEE.

UNION!...UNION!!

The term Union is so emphatically used of late in many federal papers, that a stranger would suppose that this principle had never before been inculcated. This, however, is a term of familiar import to the republicans, as it has ever been the theme of all their communications during the distressing periods of our national controversies--when the British were capturing our vessels, impressing our seamen, ravaging our sea coasts, burning our defenceless frontiers. Then union was earnestly called for--a union of all the States to oppose our enemies, and to drive them from our shores--to release our captive citizens--to rescue our wives and daughters from the foul outrages of a desperate and lawless soldiery. The cry for union was then the "order of the day"--The President called for union--Congress called for union--and every friend to his country lifted up his voice in vain. Every State was earnestly requested to unite in furnishing their quotas of militia necessary for every local defence. Loans were called for--The wealthy republicans came forward, and even on the first loan supplied government at par. Soldiers and seamen were furnished with as much expedition as the nature of the business would admit. They were not ridiculed by the republicans when they passed through the metropolis, the friends to the Union rejoiced at the successes of our army and navy--and what was more, particularly reprobated every "convention," under whatever character assembled, that had the most distant tendency to dissolve the Union, weaken the energies of the government, or retard the effective operations of all the laws (embargo, non-importation, &c.,) which were adopted to check the British nation in their depredatory system. This was the union inculcated at the times which required a hearty concurrence in our national efforts. It is therefore no new idea just started into the minds of the republicans that union is a desirable object---and if such individuals as did not formerly estimate the blessings of union, are now sincerely desirous to inculcate it, we receive them with the most cordial friendship--we rejoice over them as stray sheep who have wandered from the fold, hope that they have seen the error of their doings, and are now willing to join their associates in such measures as will preserve the union to the latest ages. We are glad to find that they are so tender in their feelings as to resent the suggestion that they are not sincere in their professions, as this is one mark of the reality of their future intentions. We shall no doubt have ample evidence of their friendship in future elections, by giving a full proportion of the republicans in the various offices of the town, select senators, representatives, &c.; and that they will respect those characters as honest men, whom they before stigmatized with epithets of the most derogatory nature. While these men talk of "burying the hatchet," they should remember, for the republicans have no hatchet to bury. They had no hostile weapon against the government during the war, and have none remaining in their hands on the return of peace. Union then was, now is, and ever will be, the earnest solicitation of the republicans. They war with none but enemies to their country; and if those who have been inimical are now friends, and if those who have doubted of the rectitude of the administration are now persuaded of its integrity, we rejoice at their conversion, and hope they will "in future" give ample proofs of their patriotism; we hope the federalists will "bury the hatchet" so deep as that even the place of deposit will not again be discovered. We ought all to be friends, and we wish to remain so, as long as we can unite in such measures as will secure the honor and happiness of the country against foreign and domestic foes. But if the Hartford Convention had been so successful in their projects, as the government has been in their energies, instead of a union of parties, the sword of civil discord would have severed the tie of the social compact, and fathers and sons, neighbours and friends would have been involved in the promiscuous carnage.

Those are reflections which the patriot cannot stifle; and though he is willing to shake hands with his political opponents, yet duty requires that some traits of former dangers should be imprinted on his memory--not for the exercise of intolerance, but for the direction of prudence.

To place this subject in a plain point of view, we consider certain federalists in the same light as we should a ship's crew who had endeavored to scuttle the ship in a gale of wind; but from the attention of the Captain and other officers, were prevented from putting their intentions into execution. If after her arrival into port, such persons should propose to be shipped for another voyage, the best security for the owners would be not to admit one of them on board again, unless they should give ample bonds (not words, or burying their augers) for their contrition, and security for their future good behaviour.