The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-10-04

we nave come 10 the great issue o
fact, which we now again tender to ou,
fellow citizens, and it is,-Ars those citi-
zens, who by an extension Of suffrage,
would be admitted 10 vote, such q class
Of persons as are untitled by their char
acter to participate in the political priyi-
leges which they claim. We wish this
question to be fairly met. Enough has
been said in vngue and general terms a
bout "unwholesome citizens" ''persons
not to be safely trusted, without property
and vicious about protecting the
sou nd part of the community against those
who have nothing ut stake in society,"
and protecting the people against intru
ders and adventurers from other States. D
cit is perfectly easy to make this gene.
raj defamation, and It has its natural
and designed effect upon too many minds
Let those who use this language come ou,
and say, if they venture The assertion, that
the body Of traders, and mechanics, and
professional men and sons Of landhoid-
ers, are the base and corrupt persons,
who are aimed ut in these sweeping de-
nunciations. No others can be meant. {"
Now is not this shameful Inisrepre-
sentation, an unblushing misrepresenta-
ton Why, Mr. Speaker, who has ever
made such sweeping charges against the
mechanics, as is here stated. Is there q
word Of truth in this statement : 1t is
all perfectly plain these gentlemen wish
to make themselves the champion Of the
mechanics. Does the gentleman mean
to say that there are no unwholesome
people in this State and if there is, how
does he charge all this upon the mechan-
les Are there no people to be kept
out of the pale of suffrage. That gem
tleman ought TO know something about
this. 1t was but little while ago, that
there was one of the most outrageous RI
OTIS in Providence, that occurred in any
city. There is such class in New York
and in Baltimore. These young gentle
men who wish to experience the advan.
tages of their system are requested to re-
pair to the sixth Ward in New York and
their object will be accomplished. There
are no people to be guarded against, and
It is but few days ago that we saw in
The newspapers, set Of resolutions n
dopted by Convention in the city of
New York and signed by president
and secretary, declaring that marriages
ought to be done away with, and ,hut the
amount Of property which persons should
possess ought to be limited, in order to
destroy the inequality between the rich
and the poor. Here is the lcvelling doc
trine. Here we have the presumption
Of honesty and intelligence. Some months
ago certain letters were addressed to some
of the most distinguished persons in the
country. calling upon them for their opin-
ions ON the subject of free suffrage, sign
ed by several mechanics Of Providence,
with occupations attached to their sig
natures. There was among them one
VIM. I.Tillinghast, barber, Franklin Coo
lev, stone cutter, such man blacksmith,
and such man carpenter. Why we're
these occupations attached to their
names Is this not from spirit Of lev
cling Why some Of these people were
appointed on a committee to form a prox
for Governor and Senators at the last e.
lection. This VIM. l. 1'llinghast, bar
Der, was one believe-(Mr Dorr-He
is freeholder and has considerable prop
erty and believe is n native Of New
port.) / don't know who he is, but he is
little deluded by bad advisers. Mr.
f. II. Potter-He shaves the non-free-
holders l suppose. In the accounts
which are published Of the Convention
got up by these gentlemen, certain towns
are described as being represented. The
members Of these conventions came
mostly from manufacturing villages
There was an account Of one published
in Lonsdale some months ago. Thlt is
a manufacturing village belonging to MIR
Ives. Woonsocket Falls is another man
|ufacturing village, which sends her rep
resentatives to these conventions. The
inhabitants Of these villages being prin-
cipally laborers in manufacturing estab-
lishments from the jealousy which they
have towards their employers, are very
willing to promote their levelling schemes.
Ii is not for me to speak upon the sub
ject, but should think it would be NOR
tifying to the relations Of these young
gentlemen 10 find them supporting and
leading such people
As to the manner in which these con-
ventions are got up-great pains is shewp
to make parade on paper. With re-
spect to this town ! know something OF
it. Several attempts were made before
any one proved successful. Look at the
notice given for the call Of convention
in Providence. That notice invited all
living creatures, all friends Of consti-
tuition, all freeholders and all non free
holders. Is there no rabble in Provi-
dencei have been told by gentleman
recently member Of this house from
Providence, and who occupied an Office
near the Town House in that city where
these people who are in favor Of free sui
frage used to meet IN 1929, that the noise
and disturbance at these meetings was