The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-08-23
The following is the closing part Of the Ad-
dress Of the Constitutional Convention.

The following 10 the closing part Of the Ad-
dress Of the Constitutional Convention.
We have spoken to you, Fellow Citi-
zens, of the nature Of fundamental laws,
or Constitutions, and of the source whence
they are derived of the history, opera
ton and defects Of the present Charter !;
of the great inequality and injustice in
the apportionment of our Represents
tives ;-ofthe duty of extending the priv
iege of Voters to all our fellow citizens
who are qualified to partake in it consist
emily with the general good of the vital
necessity Of an Independent and perma-
nent Judiciary. Have we, or we have
not shown you that there is something
radically wiorg in the Political institutions
of Rhode Island; and if so, does it not fol-
low, as an irresistible conclusion, that all
political measurses, designed and proper
ly tending to produce complete and ef-
fectual change, without any farther delay,
are right, expedient, and entitled to your
strong and cordial support? A Constitu-
tlonal Party in this State, If it proceed
upon open and fair grounds, directly and
resolutely to its end, is most emphaticalIy
the Commonwealth Party. 1t has right
to expect the adherence Of the older per-
tion Of our citizens whose duty it Is to
to their SUCCESSORS not merely
what they have received, but all those
additional Improvements which the wis.,
dom Of age and OF political experience
has been able to suggest 1T challenges
the best energies and the most active CO.
operations OF the younger men. Every
motive Of duty and of patriotism calls
upon them to arrange themselves on tho
constitutional side, and to aid US in maxi
ing ouu government more suitable TO the
condition, and more "meet for the service
of the body" polite. As they success
lively come forth to refresh the life-blood
Of the political system, let them be found
among the friends Of Justice and Refor-
nation. We shall make the best return
Of gratitude to the memory of our vene-
rated ancestors, not by forever retaining
the long established and present condition
of our inheritance, but by proceeding,
with some portion Of their spirit to do
what they would do, if now within the
range of human affairs and interests, to
make It more worthy Of the citizens Of a
free country. In the Language Of the H.
lustr,ous author Of the Declaration Of In
dependence. 1t is not only the right,
but the duty Of those now on the stage Of =
action, to change the laws and institu-
tions of government, to keep pace with
the progress of knowledge, the light Of
science and the amelioration Of the con-
dition of society. Nothing is to be con-
,:Io.aJ ,,ochanc bln h,,t the iohnront and
inaliensble rights Of Man"
Without stopping to recapitulate more
minuteIy the different top ics and argu-
ments Of this address, we now commend
them to your earnest attention and delib-
crate Judgment, with confidence as to the
result. We have endeavored to speak
plainly and distinctly. But if there should
remain any doubt in your minds respect-
ing any subject, or part Of subject,
which has been considered, we shall be
ready to make any explanations that may
he desired. We ask you, to call togeth-
er, by your Representatives, Conven-
tion which shall represent the people at
large, and prepare for us liberal and
permanent Constitution. We wish to
proceed in the usual course Of our breth-
rem in other States ; and that the same
Legislature which has imposed on the
citizens of Rhode Island landed quail
ficaton not spoken of in the Charter, has
at least as much right to suspend it, for
the single purpose Of facilitating the ex-
ercise by the People Of the great, origin
al Right of Sovereignty IN the formation
of Constitution, we cannot for mo-
ment doubt.
We wait your decision. Let il be
worthy Of Republican Freemen.
Confirmed Habits s.-Every one knows
c Ill Oh