The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-11-20
ygo4- Tux coLunHIAs PuYsix.r
? TO THE PEOPLE OF RnoDEIsLAND
On me Right ef fhe Governour 10 Yofe.

| On me Right y re Governour 10 Vote.
/ IrELLow-cITfzEss,
YOUR attention is requested TO sub
! icct Of great importance to your rights and
interests. a great constitutional question
has lately been the subject OF discussion, and
Of hlg1sianve enactton In the General Assem-
bly, of the State. Though party has been
busy On this subject, and the passions and
prcludIces Of the moment have prevented
CANDID discussion and due beration, yet il
bccomes the people iay aside eDery frt juGiee,
and fhe passion which most easily besefs ihem,
and TO examine with patience and undivided
attention, question Of constitutional right,
and therefore, Of publick liberty. =
81 Though It may suit the purpose ofa party
10 day, to narrow the powers Of Goyernour,
by an assumption cffower into their own
hands, yet the interests of the people are con-
cerned in guarding gainst all usurp@iion, and
preserving the fundamental principles OF
their constitution sacred, until they are alter
ed BY themselves.
The goyernonr of this state is chosen by
the people at large. He is their delegate,
their immediate representative. An attack
upon his rights, is an attack upon their rights.
A usurpation Of his Eosver, is a usurpation OF
iheirsho4ver And Governors, who iamely
and ineanly surrenders his rights and his pow
ers, violates his oath Of Office, and becomes
traitor to his constituents. If he surrend-
ers them through ignorance, it may be some
.cxtcnuation of his crime, but he equally Tor
fcits ali trust and confidence. -
We have " rotten boroughS," in this State,
which create an unequal Representations of the
people, in, what is called, the House OF Re-
personalities. In England, the House of
Commons is the only popular branch of the
government, because it is the only branch
which the people have any voice in constitu-
ting. Hence the people of England consider
an encroac hment, by the other branches, up
ON the rights and privileges of the House OF
Commons, an attack upon the rights and pri-
viicees Of the people. And hence also an en-
croschment upon the prcrogative Of the king,
might be considered as so much added to
publick freedom. We.are apt to be deceiv-
ed by names, forms and 'simlarilies In this
State, ,ae House of Representatives is con-
sIdcred as the popular branch !, whereas, IN
TACT, the CoverDour, l.ieulenant. .Governour,
and the assistants receive their power imme-
diateIy from the people, and, from being e.
lccted BY general fickel, form tue only
branch in which the people of this State are
equally rGfresented. It will be seen there
fore that il becomes the interest of the peo-
pie to defend the rights Of every member of
tho Senate, as they would defend their own !;
end TO, regard with jealous eve every en-
cro3fthscns npon their rights, by that branch,
or nhsngA the influence Of that branch, in
which tho people are 80 nnegudlly rehresent-
ed. And should Senate be found tame en-
cugh IT, surrender their rights, at the call of
the lower house, il becomes the duty OF the
people 10 assert and commit them TO tho
keeping OF those who have knowledge and
frmness enough TO maintain them.
Ii the General Assembly of the State
should pass law depriving the iowps of
Newpori, Warwick md Portsmouth, respec-
'iyciy, OF two OF their repre- sentatiyes, would
no, these towns consider this law an infrac.
ton oil their consututiocal rights and priyile-
ges Or suppose that the General Assembly
should declare, that the first representative,
frcln tho town of Newport, -shoaldS have no
right to vote in the House, orin Grand Com
mittee, would it not be considered an alarm
ing usurpation, and an unwarrantablc assump-
ton OF power IN the General Assembly
Are not the rights of the Governour as sac
red as the rights ot towns. OF Of their dele
gates And wills not the people. deem it
Their interest TO protect the .frSs general off,
Ger Of t'e State, against all Legislative usur.
pa'ion, AS well as the representatives of
fesoSs, or the rights Of a torn delegate /?
An important principle is involved, as will
&c seen, in the consideration of the law which
has thus aimed blow at the right of one Of
the eonstitueRt members ofthe Senate, to
vote in{he eIection Of officers.
!. lhe above preliminary remarks are made
ioftne purpose OF drawing your attention to
the subject which IL is proposed to examine,
and e IMPRESS your minds with its impor-
4fyca shall find that the rights Of .your
Chief Magistrate have been a,tscked, and
sarfsndsred By che hrescnf Chicf lfogisryote,
and that an attempt has been msdes6ja fac.
lion E,Fthe exercise of he ir ;ll s,,,,,.~ 'x,..