The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-09-20
RHODE ISLAND LEGISLATURE.
JUNE SESSION-NEWPORT.
Daba,s on the Bill for calling COnvea-
ton 1, a,aena the Constitutional Charter
oCMts State.
CONTINUED |

CONTINUED
TurRspAY AFTERNOON, JUNE GA
the opening OF the House in the afternoon
Mr.. WExDEN called for a statement of the
question pending before the House at the
adjournment in the forenoon. The Spea-
ker having stated The question,
Mr.. WEHDEN proceeded and observed
that he had a remark to make in addition
70 what was stated by him this morning,
that was, that the amendments 10 the
charter would be so numerous and per-
picking that it would be impraotIcable to
submit them to the people for adoption in
the form Of ticket, and to condense them
within a space sufficiently limited for this
purpose This would be fatal objection
ia his view to calling convention to pro-
pose amendments TO the charter.
Mr.. Speaker, it is not proper for us to
enter into discussion Of the motives OF
the members ofthis House. stated on
scconJing the motion to amend the bill
before the House, that was in favor of
the object Of that amendment. The gen.
tIennan from Newport has seen fit to
charge me and others with a design to
prevent any amandnenfs being mado to
the present charter.
MIR. HAZARD rose to explain and stat
ed TINT the gcn,aman had misstated what
he had said. lie did not charge tha,
gentleman or his party with being oppos-
ed to convention or constitution, for this
was what they we're laboring after. But
they are for convention to be chosen,
and n constitution to be adopted by peo-
pie who are not freemcn They arc a
rainst "a convention to be chosen BY the
Tcc.ncn, and against constitution to be
adopted by them. This was what he
char ked them with. He charged them
with endeavoring to prejudice the pco pie
Of this State against the charter, and there
by to prevent amendment to it, by which
their project Of total change Of the gov
ernunent would be frustrated
Mr.. WEEpES--N ow ( disclaim any
such motives am in favor of consti-
tuition, and it was unparliamentary in the
gentleman to say that was not, when |
had seconded t:iis amendment and declar-
ed myself in favor Of it. And for me 20
say that those who opposed the formation
Of new constitution were thus opposed
10 il merely because they were now in
possession of unjust advantages which
they were afraid Of losing by means of Il
new constitution, would be oui OF order
and unparliamentary yet not more so
than the remarks OF the gentleman from
Newport in atlributng to me the motives
which he has. l should have replied to
that gentleman before had / not been cut
off by the motion to adjourn. DO not
now make this statement as an apology
for any ;hing have said, but in reply to
the attack OF the gentleman from New
mort. The gentleman read resolution
offered by me at a meeting in this house
Of the friends of Il constitution OF this
State. drew up that resolution myself,
and am responsible for it, and not others
only so far as they have approved OF tt
A. the gentleman has introduced it into
debate, l have rgh, to explain. In US
ing the term "physical force" III the res
olution, I did not mean to resort to this
force 10 obtain u constitution. used
tho term merely in description Of the num-
b.r of persons, the majoity to whom the
vlgh, OF suffrage should be extended If
j was h'aScoWey
xm responsible for it. The gentleman
alluded to the commitment of overt acts
of treason. From tho connection in
which this allusion was l am bound TO
suppose that no referred to the gentlemen
who composed the meeting ut which this
resolution was adopted. In regard TO
the mod. Of obtaining constitution, l
here discla,m all intention Of providing
nm; alteration in our present system of
government Otherwise than through the
medium of public opinion acting upon
the legislature. have not proposed or
recommended any measures to subveIt
the government oflhIs State or OF the u.
Statcs, either at this timo or any other,
a, Hartford or any where else.
I will now advert to the nllusion which
the gentleman from Newport has made to
me in reference to what took place at n
meeting in Smthheld Of an extension oi
suffrsge. Tho gentlemen from Smith
field will DO no the justice 10 say tina,