The Rhode Island Republican

FOR THE RHODE-ISLAND REPUBLICAN.

We are told in the Mercury of the 17th ult. that "the plan for uniting the federal-Republican young men of the town" of Newport "in an association" for certain "purposes" there mentioned, "has met with general and decided approbation." This sentence, however, in which this important intelligence is so ostentatiously announced, appears to have been left unfinished. The writer should have added, among the British party in this vicinity. With every true friend of his country's rights, such a "plan" must meet with the utmost detestation and contempt. This intended "association" is to be composed of characters, whose principles are avowedly at variance with our boasted Republican institutions and the inalienable immunities of man. It contemplates an active hostility to our present happy form of government and the future prosperity of the United States. Its real designs seems veiled with specious sounds, and soothing terms perverted from their original signification. The wolf is concealed in the garb of a lamb.

The object of the "young men" who are to form their "association" are, as expressed in the article alluded to, three, on each of which I shall make a few remarks. 1. "Exciting their attention to the state of the country." What "state of the country" is that which so imperiously demands "their attention"? It is a state that seems no longer to admit the insults and aggressions of their darling friends, the British--a state that threatens their favourite nation with a just and vengeful war.

The British have, for years, been impressing our seamen, and yet the Federal Republicans persist in asserting that they "have done us no essential injury." The British have robbed and murdered our citizens, even in our own waters, and Federal Republicans justify the abominable deed. The British have grossly violated the law of nations in tyrannical Orders in Council, and other detestable acts, and Federal Republicans endeavour to clear them from all culpableness.

The British have entered into solemn engagements, which have been abruptly broken, and Federal Republicans clamour applause. The British have sent agents and corrupt emissaries, in the character of publick ministers, which have insulted our government in the most unpardonable manner, and Federal Republicans worship them as the vicegerents of heaven. Indeed nothing offsprings from the British, but what Federal Republicans advocate with all the ingenuity they are capable.

Although the crimes of Britain are blacker than hell, Federal Republicans would fain make us believe that divine justice is the sovereign guide of all her actions. Our government, wishing to preserve an impartial neutrality between the belligerents, have, for a long time, endeavoured to negotiate with this perfidious nation, and to obtain redress by peaceable and honourable means. But their endeavours have hitherto been in vain. Wrongs are daily accumulated on wrongs, and insult added to insult. Patience, however, is exhausted-the cup of British iniquity appears full-the just resentment of the Americans is beginning to rouse, and the clouds of war are gathering fast in the political horizon. This is that "state of the country" which so strongly arrests the attention of Federal Republicans. War with Great Britain would be a death-blow to their nefarious projects. They must, in that case, flee from an injured country, or hide their guilty heads in "confusion, shame, and despair."

2. "Cherishing the principles of the constitution and union." The "constitution," the "principles" of which they wish to cherish, is not that which has been sanctioned by the nation, as the supreme ordinance of the land, but the one proposed by the arch-royalist Alexander Hamilton, and which, if adopted, would have entailed upon us all the horrors of English monarchy. The manner in which federal-Republicans use the word constitution is calculated to deceive the superficial reader, or those who do not carefully distinguish between actions and arbitrary sounds-those who do not divest error of a specious garb, and trace falsehood through all its secret windings. This word is employed in a way similar to that which many others are with associated thieves and robbers. It is understood, by the enemies of American freedom, in a peculiar sense, and is intended to assist in the accomplishment of the most dark and infernal deeds.

What do the federal-Republicans mean by the word "union"? That agreement between the several States, contemplated by the great charter of liberty? That confederation between the several sections of the country, designed to promote the general good? No, surely; nothing of this ever entered their perverse and corrupt minds. They have frequently & openly avowed their enmity to this kind of union. A separation of the northern from the southern States is an object of their fondest wishes. This is an important means towards establishing that monarchical form of government which employs their whole exertions. "Union," therefore, in their phraseology, can have no other signification than as respects the exertions and designs of federal-republicans alone. It is a kind of watch-word which serves to rally their party when occasion requires. Indeed "constitution" and "union" are terms peculiar to their flash language, and every patriotick citizen ought to "look sharp" wherever they salute his auditory nerves.

3. "Assisting their senior fellow-citizens in promoting the interest of the federal-republican cause." Pitiable! To see the rising generation pursuing the paths of depravity--paths leading to the gates of destruction; to see their tender minds fraught with every kind of vice, is deplorable indeed. When the aged descend to the odious task of teaching palpable errors to the youth, it is a melancholy sight. When the juvenile mind begins to evolve its faculties it is susceptible of every kind of impression. It is then that truth ought to be displayed in her most alluring and glowing colours. But when errors, decked in the habiliments of fascination, are placed before it instead of truth, the soul drinks deep of the poisonous draught, and nothing but a proper exercise of the intellectual energies can obviate the dire effects.

We, in this instance, behold a class of young men, who have been early taught the principles of toryism and royalty-who have been taught to despise the government established by the sages of the land--to despise every vestige of genuine Republicanism, led by the wicked advices of the hoary-headed enemies of our Independence to associate for the express purpose of disciplining and improving themselves in the tenets of monarchy and the means of overthrowing that national institution which secures to us the peaceable enjoyment of innumerous blessings and inestimable privileges. Such is the nature and character of this projected association, and as such deserves not applause, but the scorn and malediction of every votary of freedom and sincere friend of American Independence.

DERMID.