The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1833-10-19
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ADDRESS

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ADDRESS
On the subjec, af Free Scarags, in Rh,de-Isiaai
delivered at tho Tev-, IIoase II Providence Z N.
Mcsaay eye;,., <. Ccteasr 7th Isss.s-Cv ~
Trieze. Dnligvred and rroiished at t;,e K.
quest cf Cosm'lsa &C tho citizens Of Prsgz
lcuce, favorable 10 Free Grtsfegc. M,
FELLow-CirIzENs 81 appear beCeSx
you this evening, after the most prcssin
solicitations, for the purpose of exhihititg |
some of my views on the all importers
subject OF the rights of sulifngo. A ques-,
ton, all important, because il inyo!aes
one ofthe dearest, and most valuble rsiy
ilcges Of freeman; and on the posse;,-SS
sion and proper exercise of.which, ,depcn !
the manta,nance and protection ofna-
tional and personal freedom. Though for
many months past, urged by friends whom
highly value, 20 address you, bavs
resolute!y refused TO ncquicsce in thcis
wishes, till the present time not because
afraid or ashamed to express my Honest
views, on any fitting occasion, but from a
determination to bear no part in a popular
excitement, in which, reason, judgement,
prudence, and discretion, might be smott,
cred by tho frenzy of party. That mo-.
mcnt has passed away--The fervor OF
excitement has given place to reason and
reflection and the subject in dispute
may now be discussed, without fear of
injurious results.
Your humble servant stands before
you, not as public declaimcr, nor rs an
oflicious partisan. No; with the intentions
ofcreatrg the prejudices Of one party to
the question, against the other--Not for
the purpose Of ridiculirg ci abusing those
whose views may differ from his own, noi
yet, of pouring contempt on the existing
laws. Every man, whatever his yiews,
should be deemed honest, ill proved 9TH
erwise aud, however he may differ rom
others, his sincerity should nimacd re-
.isrect. Tho laws = tia 'an4 Sai axcux =,
saotld be revcreaced and o5Gyed By cvs-'
Try good citizen, until every poaceabla,
lromcdy fJs their repeal, or emendaHon,
shall have been exhausted for, no appeal
to force should ever be countenanced, in
free country, for the redress of gricv-
ances, until every other measure shal!
have proved abortivc.
am a native of Rhode Island-In this
city, first beheld the light of day. If il
+ be true that man is made from the dust
F of the earth, then am philosophicalIy a
, freeholder as any other man-for this
frame is part and parcel of that soil, on
which the renowned Roger Williams
: planted the banner of civil and religious
: lredom, and which, it is my most ardent
prayer to heaven, may continue to float,
e unsulied, to the latest posterity, over the
9 heads of frecmen. My attachments are,
D to the land Of my birth-to the land ASSOC
: ciated in this breast. with the delights OF
!. my inlantie days.. and the joyous scenes
} Of youh-And p,.lsied be this arm should
it ever be stretched forth 70 inAict an in
|jury upon it-and may my memory be
= blushed by eternal iniamy.
a In pushing the subject before me,
Q shall not follow the track marked but by
popular clamor--to consider the freeholdef
of Rhode Island as lord, and the non
! freeholder as a slave. Such propositions
n might suit those who would wish 10 dis.
9 tori facts, for the purpose Of creating Q
/; populer excitement, aud carrying a meas
n ure, righ, or wrong, in the moment whep
n the love of Justice was absorbed by ths
+ feelings of party rage. But, tho cause
n that cannot be effcctually advocated BY
Il the force OF reasoning, founded on tho ir.
g lrevocable basis Of truth, deserves not e
J. be Observation-Disclosures not To find counte.
It nance in the breast of an honest man, =
1.-The non-freeholders of Rhode Island, at;
mot slaves. They are freemen, from whor
> a part Of what they consider rights, arr
is withoIden by an unequal law. They arr
,e not slaves, because they have arms in thei
10 hands, with the privilege Of self defsncc
ID They are not slaves, because they hav'
g. the privilege, either by appearing befor'
r the legislative body, by petition, or 9th
10 erwise, to secls--to demanda. redress o
Of lgrievances--to see.,--to demand ths res
r ioration OF rights iorcibly wres:ed fsou
" them, or the bestowment Of those ths
d have been withheld. And il, they fail il
ht all these attempts, they have an nppts
to the Courts and Legislature OF the Uni
ted States. And af)er a final defeat Il
ID those bodies, they have still the privileg
ID leh, Of fleeing from under the jurisdic,io'
is Of the State, and seeking an asylum undo
laws more congenisl with their views .
j. the rights offreemdn.
etI All these, and many others that Nigh
be named, are NIT the prcrogaiivcs
: lslaves-nooe ofthsse are enjoyed by ihs
lin degraded raco ofmtn. The non-sreehol(
lsrs Of Rhode-lslahd I'D, therefore, are q