The Rhode Island Republican

For the Rhode-Island Republican.

Friends of our Republican Institutions--Citizens of Rhode-Island--Americans!

In the name of your venerable forefathers, of all those who sealed your Liberties with their Blood, I conjure you to remember that a British faction survived our Revolutionary War, and that they and their coadjutors, now exist in the bosom of our Country. Fellow-Citizens, be not deceived--you are unsafe, so long as a remnant of that once powerful faction wields the destinies of this state.

You remember that the Old Tories (a name deservedly detestable) were permitted to remain in this Country, and to exercise and enjoy all the privileges and immunities of Citizens:--Did this forbearance, this mildness, take away their hatred towards Republican form of Government; their determination of holding the poorer Class, or common people, in a state of vassalage and subjugation; their ambition to rule over you, as Nobles and as Princes:--No--it made them more artful, more designing, more implacable. Coalitions were formed--plans were matured a President & Senate for Life, were to be imposed on you--a standing army was to be organized, and in readiness--to put down opposition--British gold was scattered over every part of United America: and British influence had well nigh preponderated.--What an interesting crisis was that, when Republicanism gained the ascendancy--when the country was saved. Defeated in the South--in the West--they attempted to concentrate themselves in the North--and Eastern sections of the Union. But every year, every day, and in fact every hour, has but served to lessen their Numbers and to decrease their influence--there was then, and there now is, a majority who were, and are determined, not to barter their liberties for gold--Men whose integrity was above all price--whose principles beyond all corruption.

Heaven be praised the good Old revolutionary spirit has aroused the friends of liberty in every part of our country one effort more--and the victory is complete; and the Men who have secretly sworn allegiance to English monarchy, will no longer be capable of disturbing your repose.

What a gross imposition on you--what an abuse of language is it, for Men, who were known to be in the ranks of your enemies, during the war of your independence--who aided, who assisted, who fought for them--who then openly professed their attachment for a monarchical government---who predicted the speedy downfall of your Republican Confederation--what an abuse of language, I repeat, is it for these Men to call themselves Federal Republicans--Washingtonians. Is it a secret to any man--of any party--that a considerable number of revolutionary tories, of British partizans, have always attended our town-meetings, and have voted, on all occasions, for the federal ticket. These men are in fact the leaders, the instigators of federal measures; and honest and unsuspecting citizens, have become the dupes of their artifice. Fellow-Citizens--however divided by names, we must have one rallying point--OUR COUNTRY; --we must cling to that, or we are undone. When you perceive the old British partizans taking the lead in our councils--when you see them attempt to sap the foundation of all our rights, and of all our prosperity, when one of them--who is