Rhode Island Republican

Not the Rhode-Island Republican
REPUBLICAN--No. III
"By their fruits ye shall know the
Fellow Citizens,"

IN my last number, I made a comparative statement of the number of republican and federal presses :-I shewed the great disproportion between them; and found the result not only unfavorable, but injurious to us. In this, I could not with your attention to other facts.-- The approaching election is to us, as well as to the other republicans in the Union. of much importance.-Important to ourselves, because we are to elect two Representatives to Congress ---and those "whom we delight to honor" with seats in the Legislature, are to elect a Senator. Important to the other republicans in the Union, that we elect men of uprightness, of integrity, of knowledge, of attachment to the constituted authorities of the land, and who will coincide with the Representatives of our sister States. In order that we may fully appreciate the views of the men, with whom we have to contend, it will be necessary to take a short retrospective of the past, to enable us to proceed properly in the future. While this will oblige us to recal transactions honorable to ourselves-- it will, in most, raise humiliating emotions in the breasts of our opponents. In worse times than the present, we have defeated those who deemed themselves invincible, who defied our numbers, who inured our virtue, and who smiled at what they imagined our feeble attempts.- We have indeed by our constant and unwearied exertions, triumphed over those who threatened us with total annihilation, with an indiscriminate overthrow.--This served us a double purpose; while it convinced our brethren in the Union, that it was not impossible for a State in New-England to emerge from, aristocracy and superstition, it was a mortal stroke to the towering hopes, the deep laid plans of our adversaries.-Scarcely had we arisen from the imposition of our enemies, and displayed the republican standard on the place where oppression had once reared her head, ere the champions of "federal delusion" resolved to make a desperate attack to reinvest themselves with their vandalic board. The reported press had determined an uncommon effort in which a mixed medley were engaged. The old Tories still cherishing the fondest hopes, still retaining filial feelings for their "good old mother Britain," very willingly thrust themselves in front of the battle. A few, who adhered to "anti-revolutionary" doctrines, and had been removed from office, naturally felt indignation at the procedure, and readily made part of the band--others, who wished "a torn of the times," that they might realize their "longing desires" for the honors, the emoluments, and the offices of an aristocracy, were solicitous to contribute "a double portion" of malignity to help the cause.-Some who, in principle, were honest, were deluded into a belief that they were right, were drawn in the rear to guard the retreat. Thus was formed the desperate junto.--The old tories vented the latent echo of disappointment; they whined piteously, and "breathed out threatenings" toward us. The "proscribed men," who had assumed the title of "war worn veterans," in federal accents bemoaned--they declaimed with a loud voice; and the honest, yet deluded, stood amazed at the mighty noise. Each man was furnished with the shafts of detraction; they were armed for abuse, they were pledged to rally at the nod of their steap. The huge "Palladiums" were distributed in large rations, and the "depraved Centinel." with other federal papers, were to serve as a succedaneum, in case of casualty.--Thus caparisoned, they went about like their predecessor, "seeking whom they might devour;" and resembled each other in nothing except in destructive weapons, and the dark mysterious manner in which they dealt out their ammunition,-- Soothing expressions of respect for the rights of the people, was the theme of every federal bird. And though the poorer class of people were regarded as less than a dust in the balance," still every engine of art and of seduction were employed to seduce them into federal measures, to bring them on the side of oppression, and into unconditional servitude.-Earnestics were used; the moderate, and affluent of the party, were displayed to decoy us. We were threatened, we were abused, and tempted "with pieces of silver."-While they beheld, with concern, the moderation and the union of the citizens contributing to the happiness of society, they thought a division would be the only resource. They had prepared to impose burdens upon us. The badges of respect and of distinction which our unbiased expression had placed on our enlightened representation, were almost plucked off, and bestowed among the "Royal Family." They boasted of a success which they had not, neither could obtain.. Indeed, so sanguine were they of succeeding, that the cannon of a ship in this harbor were loaded, and in complete readiness to announce the event. But all would not do, and federal ammunition failed. Neither soothing expressions, neither intreaties, neither abuse, neither bribery could corrupt us. Our unanimity, and our virtue prevented the triumph. Heavens, and the Earth" from witnessing the immoderate exultations of federalism. We went "as a band of brothers join'd"—they could not conquer nor divide us. We held our own, and increased, while federalism "hung by the eyelids" -we were once more victorious, and "delusion" abashed and disconcerted, retired to brood over her indiscretions, and to mature other machinations for our future destruction. Having thus followed them through their plans, actions, and intrigues; having seen their professions naturally variant from their actions; having witnessed conduct imprudent, and threatening to our freedom, and tending to subvert our rights, we shall be prepared to judge of what we have to contend with at the next election. and to provide a reasonable, and an ample remedy-which shall be duly attended to in the next number.
REPUBLICAN: