The Rhode Island Republican

NEWPORT.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1819.

COMMUNICATION.

During the sitting of the General Assembly, the week past, it was expected that the important business, relative to the Free Suffrage would have come before that body, and that the anxious expectations of the Republicans in this and every other town in the state, would have in some measure been gratified. The Republicans in this town calculated with safety on the repeal of the odious and infamous law, passed by the Federalists, in 1812, which subjects every free man to the disagreeable situation of being watched like a slave, and having his privileges taken from him in a scandalous and shameful manner, by pursuing a different method in this town in the election of our Representatives from what is allowed in any other town in the State. But even this has not been done. It appears that it was necessary for the federalists, with Elisha R. Potter at the head, to oppose with all violence, the election of Hampton Lillibridge, as a Justice of the Peace in the town of South-Kingstown, because he had dared to think that Potter was not fit for Governor of this State, (and for no other reason,) and had acted accordingly. Had Lillibridge supported Potter with as much zeal as he opposed him, we should have seen Potter coming forward as an advocate for the election of this same man to the office of Justice of the Peace, or almost any other appointment he could have applied for. It is with regret we add that republican members were found acting with Potter, and his associates, in several questions; and some willing to believe "every thing that Potter asserted to be true" -and showing a disposition to support him in his impudence, folly and inconsistency. In speaking of Lillibridge and Potter, as men, we give Lillibridge the preference, as an honest man, a man of honor, and a gentleman-- because we believe him by far the most deserving of the two.

A REPUBLICAN.