Rhode Island American And Gazette

There is something very amusing in the conduct of the nationals of Rhode-Island, and that cannot fail to excite a degree of jealousy and distrust, in the minds of the honest and candid, even of their own party. 'Lang syne' they were clamorous against the anti-masons for instituting the war of proscription, as they termed it, branded them with every opprobrious epithet, with which the Billingsgate vocabulary could supply them, and reprobated their motives and their conduct, while they scouted the idea of the slightest connection with them.

All at once, when it is found that their cause is rapidly progressing, and likely to gain the ascendancy, they become 'highly respectable;' the conduct of the nationals of New-York, in forming an alliance with the anti-masons of that State, is extolled to the skies, and the example held up in the most fascinating colors, as one worthy to be copied. The party in Rhode-Island, at first, profess to believe, that the election of Henry Clay to the Presidency, is absolutely necessary to save the country; the only object these patriots profess to have in view. To secure this object, they applaud the determination of the same party in New-York, who have resolved to support electoral candidates, pledged to vote for William Wirt. But when the question is raised in Rhode-Island, and the object stated, 'to unite the opposition to Andrew Jackson,' that opposition must be concentrated on the person of Henry Clay. But, driven to the final exposition of their views, no 'opposition to Andrew Jackson,' can be tolerated, unless, as a condition, it be pledged to sustain the pretensions of Lemuel H. Arnold, to the chief magistracy of Rhode-Island. Thus, in the end, it appears—that the national republican party of this State, with all their high professions of patriotism, are willing finally to risk the interests of the nation, leave the public welfare to take care of itself and, rather than abandon the cause of Lemuel H. Arnold, whom, every intelligent man is perfectly satisfied, they cannot re-elect, permit Andrew Jackson to retain the Presidential Chair. Surely, either the patriotism of this party must set loosely upon them, they must be blinded to passing events, or their affection for Mr Arnold, 'passing the love of women,' has given birth to a devotion, worthy of a better cause.

'Consistency, thou art a jewel.'