The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-09-06

| The Let section Of the bill before uo
proposes to call a Convention for the
purpose of amending the Constitutional
Charter Of this State. Now, sir, DO
contend that no such instrument exlsts.--
| We are, sir, not without Constitution,
but that 10 not q Constitutional Charter.
think it might be more properly and bet
ter termed Legislative Constitution
Our fundamental principles Of govern
nent are made up Of acts Of Legislation,
and so far as these principles have been
wrought into our Constitution from these
acts, they have become 20 by the silence
aud appreciation of the people of this
State. Now, sir, what 10 this Consti,u-
tional Charterf 1t is, sir, a royal grant
from a British king, a grant Of particular
powers TO be sure, but Of limited paricu-
lar powers. Did it contain all the pow
ers Of ofgovernment! II certainly did not,
because the colonists were still under the
British Constitution, and claimed to be
governed by It's principles. This, sir.
was royal grant TO the then inhabitants
Of Rhode Island and Providence Planta-
tions, constituting them certain landed
corporation, and bestowiug upon them
certain particular privileges which the
king was then, as it is termed, graciously
pleased to confer. But, sir, will il bs
pretended that any constitutional proyis-
ions were conferred by this Charterf
think that cannot be said, for we have 90
often built upon it by legislative enact
ments that it 10 hardly possible to discov-
er it's original flame in tho history Of our
legislative proceedings. Then, cir, there
is manifest impropriety in the phrase
oIogy introduced in the first section Of
this bill. What powers do you mean to
grant, otherwise than merely to make
some amendments to the powers contain
ed in-the Charter : 1t will be admitted
by every gentleman Of this House, that
such amendments will not be adequate to-
the purpose desired. think it will bs
proper to form q Constitution suited to
the present condition, circumstances and
interests Of this Stnts. The gentleman
from Newport has SAID, in reference to
particular privileges, sin,ila, to those en-
joyed under the Charter, that the gov
ernment Of this State is the freest govern
ment on earth. 1t is true that it was the
freest government on earth at the time it
was instituted, and perhaps better suited
TO tho condition Of the people at that time
than any other. But, sir, the cireumstan-
ces Of the people OF this State have since
entirely changed. Our ancestors were
then almost exclusively an agricultural
people. Powers were then granted that
could protect them in those ;ntere.ts.--
But, Mr. Speaker, how different is the
situation of the people of this State now
from what it was then how diversified
now their pursuits' From an agricul-
tural people in the simple form Of society,
We have become a commercial, agricul.
tural, manufacturing and mechanic State.
Sir, all the great interests which engage
the entcrprife of civilized life, are exem-
| plfed in Rhode Island. And these have
grown up since the granting Of this char
II ter, and have changed the condition Of
the people /; and what was a perfect sys.
tenn for our ancestors, has become, by
change Of circumstances, imperfect for
their children. And in consequence Of
such changes, the Legislature has been
compelled 10 change the provisions Of tho
charter by legislative enactment. Bot,
sir, the great difficulty with regard to the
formation Of such constitution Of gov
eminent, has already been explained. II
| is calculated to concentrate all constitu-
tional powers in the legislature and so
Far as their permanency 10 concerned,
they are mere acts Of legislation, liable 10
be repealed by those who made them,--
and being liable 10 all the fluctuations Of
party, are insecure and not adequate to.
protect the interests Of the people. And
believe tho time has come when it 10
necessary that a constitution should bs
formed. / agree with my friend from
Bristol. who is so well skilled in naval
architecture, that we had better build
new ship, than TO undertake 10 repair an
old one not worth repairing anc he has
not lost sight Of those principles Of econ
omy which he has observed through life /;
he is willing, il there are any valuable
materials in the old ship, that they should
be worked into the new one. 60 with
him in this respect, and IL there are any
principles in the old charter Of this state,
which nre worth preserving, arm willing
that thcv should be incorporated into tho
new am willing TO 80 st'll iarther.--
| If IL he found that any Of tho legislative
enac,men,s Of this state are Of that char
ac,er and Importance which would render
them valuable ne constitutional provisions,
am willing, and desirous that they also
should be incorpor ated into new consti-
tuition. lam willing to give full power 10
this convention to form such consets-
ltion ss they shall deem best adapted 10
the inte, es,s Of the people Of ths State.
Ii am therefore in favor Of The amendment
|, Proposed by the gsstlemss from i<s''-
Irsss sssrissssl