Rhode Island Republican

From the Hartford Mercury.

Mr. Barbour,

THE proudest days of Rome were those when she was considered throughout the world as the protectress, the asylum of the oppressed and persecuted of all nations. Rome however, did not always scrutinize the characters of her suppliants; she sometimes from pride, sometimes from policy, extended to disappointed ambition, to humbled and desolate wickedness, that protection which oppressed virtue alone ought to have experienced. The State of Connecticut more just, more elevated than ancient Rome, receives into her bosom, protects, and cherishes persecuted virtue, and virtue only.

Glorious little State! as in literature thou art the Athens of the world, so in morals thou hast the lyre, but there is nothing to which in point of morals thou canst be compared.

I have been led to these reflections by reading sometime since, in your paper, a communication, informing the public that the honorable Joe Thomas, and the equally honorable John Rutledge, had sought an asylum in this State, and that they had selected for their residence the town (O happy, happy town) of Weathersfield. I have made enquiry and find the fact to be as stated. Yea, these great and good men, flying from that universal detestation that sometimes pursues virtues like theirs, have taken up their abode among us. Here they will add, not only protection, but sympathy. Here they will find honorable men, whose hearts teach them the value of their achievements. Thomas and Rutledge shall be toasted at our festivals, and whilst Federalism endures, our children shall be taught to chaunt the virtues of the august Joe Thomas and John Rutledge.

Splendid merit is sometimes, but not always, accompanied by extreme modesty—the remark is illustrated in those two great men. Thomas, being sensible that by one act of sublime virtue he has immortalized his name. and being desirous through extreme modesty to evade the applause due to deeds like his, has assumed a fictitious name; but Rutledge, tho' he must be conscious that all men esteem him, at least. equal to Thomas, yet he appears openly, bearing his own name, and with a manly firmness, that blushes not at the recollection of his own immense worth, he receives, without shrinking, that applause which he most be conscious beams from every eye that beholds him, tho' the tongue be silent. Excepting the above circumstance; it is said no two men are more alike than the honorable Joe Thomas and John Rutledge.

Again I say, glorious little State, that art thought worthy to contain at one time two such men as these.

A FEDERALIST.