The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1833-11-23


the town treasurer for the money.
Among the favorable indications of the success
of those liberal and republican principles which
we advocate, we notice first and foremost that the
freeholders are beginning to awake Already
goodly number are cheering and encouraging us,
by openly advocating an extension Of suffrage and
contending for ratio Of representation based on
the true principles of republicanism-property and
population The unequal and unjust manner the
charter has adopted in apportioning representation,
is becoming not only unpopular but odiOus;and well
il may 4; as it is in open violation Of every prnci-
pie ofjustce and equality is utterly subversive Of
republican institutions, and calls loudly for reform.
In this every freeholder sdirecty interested and
the evil of sufficient magnitude to rouse the free
men generally from the political lethargy into
which they have fallen, and stimulate them TO vig-
.orous exsrtion This, especially Of late, has been
in good degree realized. Sensible Of the justice
of our cause, and viewing the charter as sort OF
political incubus which impedes the progress Of i'm
provement, and paralizes the energies Of the citi-
zens,, tbe freeholders are coming up to the great
work of reform like men, and show determina-
ton to psrsevere, until this relic of feuda times
shall be abolished, 81 constitution established ,bas-
ed on republican principles and fitted to the charac-
ter and circumstances Of enlightened freemen.
We rejoice to see the froemen taking an active
part in this business; for to them alone we look
for the final success Of our labours. We assure
them that TO obtain equality ofrepresentation is
an object no less desrablet to the non freeholders,
than to do away those odious distinctions by which
the rights Of suffrage have been hitherto regulated
In cooperating therefore with the friends OF free
suffrage, the freeholders are not only restoring
rights that have long been unjusty withheld from
portion Of their fellow citizens; but they are advanc
ing. at the same time, their own interests by re-
movnp the common obstacle of all political re-
form. The evils of the. present system OF govern
meut have been long and patiently borne, 30 that it
is not on slight grounds that the freemen are about
to proceed to the great work Of reforming existing
abuses. They have seen the injustice done 70 a
large class of citizens, aad have heard their com
plajnts for a redress or grievances they have
long felt the injurious and oppressive effects Ut the
existing inequality of representation they know.
in fine, from long and patient experience, that the
charter is wholly unsuted to the character and cir
cumstances Of the times, and that longer forbear-
ance will but add to the evils they seek to remedy.
We believe that the time is not distant when ma
iorty Of the freemen will be in favour Of calling
Convention though no member Of The Assembly
has yet ventured to make the assertion. twill be
good time to do so next January. wsen Jhs. Pot~
ter has gons to Congress
We have received from the Publisher, fac
~. &C fha afiers rroduced nj the trial of fha