The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-10-11
NATHANiA. BROWN,
THOMASiW.DORR,
JOSEPH X. ANGEL,
JOHN II. WEEDEN.

There ore some members ot the Convention IN
favor Of continuing the primogenial privilege, be-
cause it helps the middling and poorer classes
more than it does the rich and as friend 10 the
former, they are always pleased to see that hon.
es, portion" Of the community enjoying immuni-
ties and advantages, calculated to give an nscen-
dency over the wealthy and aristocratic. This is
very humane in these Hon. gentlemen. and will,
no doubt, be duly appreciated by those for whose
benefit it was uttered.
At this time, when the wealth and ariaocracy Of
the country seem combined to oppress the opera
tive portion ofsociey, j. is truly refreshing to see
such men coming down from their high places, and
advocating the cause Of the oppressed-the rather,
because friendship from such quarter was wholly
unea pec,ed. And then the arguments brought out
with such clearness and eloquence, were what no
ordinary mind would have discovered.
We remember the story Of coachrann who
puzzled DIR. Mitchell, by asking, why white sheep
had more wool than black ones. The Doctor was
obliged to confess lis embarrassment, but coachee
soon made all clear by saying. it was because
there werc more ofthem. Some Of these gentle
men have adopted the logic Of the coachman,-
for while their auditors were vainy endeavormg to
conceive how the h" middIing and lower classes
could reap any peculiar advantn by the contin-
uance of the primogenial privilege, one of the mum
Der very readily and sapienty removed all tho dit
6culty, by declaring, that according to tho best o.
his belief il was because they are more numerous
than the rich and Of course, must Of necessity ,hav'
numerically more Oldest sons J But while thr
gentleman was dealing out few sparse crumbs o
comfort to the lower orders. being aware that to'
much indulgence spoils the child, appeared hors
struck a, :be bare idea Of carrying out h's argu
men, so Car as to include the younger sous
II is somewhat amusing to observe how ex-
,remely tenacious those of the opposition hay,
Lecome Of the wisdom Of our ancestors as thougl
il had heen called in question by the present ad.
yocates Of an extension Of suffrage. That the
wisdom and political sagaoity Of our ancestors
were equal and perhaps superior to most men 10
like circumstances, a, the time in which they liv.
ed. we apprehend, will be as readily conceded b,
the advocates Of Constitution, as by their oppo
nen,s. That, in the settlement and organization
! Of the government Of this State, they were actua
ted by q laudaJle zeal and benevolent motives
that they exhibited greater degree Of lberalsy,
higher and boiler devotion to the rights Of their fel
low mon, in the general federation Of religious sen
,iments, shsn was common to the age in whcl
they lived, the friends Of a Constitution are a
ready to grant as any one who stops short Of idol
airy in his admiration Of our ancestors.
| We will allow for the sake Of argument, that nj
system Of government, at the time il was granted
could be better adapted to the character and cir
eumstsnces OF the population Of this s,ae, thar
wss the Charter. That il extended the right o
suffrage 10 al who deserved,o to exercise thai right