Rhode Island American, Statesman And Providence Gazette

A hasty Confession.—The last Providence Patriot, speaking of Dr. Messer, says in so many words,

"We feel almost ashamed of having said one word against him, the Doctor, for the reason that DETRACTION is unnecessary."

Here is a plain confession that the Patriot has been guilty of detraction toward Dr. Messer, for the purpose of defeating his election but that having, (as it pretends) ascertained that he will not be elected, it feels almost ashamed of having slandered him.

Such are the avowed principles upon which the Patriot conducts a political canvass. Fearing that Dr. Messer would be elected, it takes advantage of his retired life, and the few opportunities the citizens of the State have had of becoming personally acquainted with him, to detract from his reputation, slander and abuse him, and thus if possible, prevent the freemen from giving him their votes. Miserable must be that cause whose supporters avow that they resort to DETRACTION to promote its success.

Concurrent accounts from Kent County, give very strong assurances that a large majority of that County will vote for Dr. Messer for Governor. The people there, say that Governor Fenner has been in long enough; that no man ought to hold that office for life, and that since he is determined not to retire, and even defies the people to turn him out, it is high time to convince him, of what he was once before convinced, in old party times, "that the people will govern."