The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1836-01-23
ADDRESS
or THE
Constitutional Convention
held a. Providence, IN January, 1886,
TO THE
PEOPLE OF RHODE-ISLAND.
Esr.I.ow CITIZENS

The principles and purposes Of the Constitu-
,ionai Party were set forth, two years since, ny a
Conye yenton constituted like that which now ad-
dresses you Tho Resolutions and Address pub
lished on that OCCASION arc again recommended TO
your perusal, as furnishing more detailed view
of our political Creed than s compatible with the
limits prescribed to the present Address. Coming
from among yourselves-beng ireeholdoIs, as
we'll as fIeemen, the members Of this Convention
have no private grievances to redress and no COM
pluin,s to make against the existing defects and a.
buses in our Constitutional System, other than
sucb n arew out Of an honest regard 10 what Is
due to their fellow citizens generally, and TO the
permapent protection Of our common rights
'rhsv believe that u New Constitution is needed
for the State that amongst its objects ought to be
included prov isions for A BETTER DIsrRIBU-
rioN AND LIMITATION or THE POWERS AND
DEPARTMENTS OF GOVERNMENT, AN Ex-
TENSION or THE RIGHr OF SUFFRAGE, AN
iSpEpENpENr JUDICIARY. AND A MoRF
,auAISysrEM OF REPRESENTATION. Such
n Constitution, in their view, ought TO he the work
of the great body the People, acting in Its ior-
,,,n,ion by their Delegates in Convention assem-
bled. and ratifying it in their primary capacity
In order TO effect this object, aud to effect WITH
an, the las, expedent OF resolving our Political So
cis,y into its original elements, 1t Is absolutely
necessary TO have regard TO the Legislative bodies
of the Suite. II is with this view, as well as 10
present point for the concentrated action oi our
friends. tina, it has been thought proper to present
Won with a Ticket Of Constitutional Candidates
ior State officers for the ensuing year. These Of
6csrs ,onpri,e the Executive, und one branch oi
,hs Legislature as at present constituted and must
therefore have an important agency IN hxing the
busis upon which Convention TO frame Con-
s,;,n,;on shall be called, Without the votes Of the
Senate .he call Of Convention, upon a plan at
once liberal and judcious can never he elected
And whether that call is 10 be made during the
ensuing year, or at later PERIOD the question OF
the approaching Election /" still important WIN
reference 10 the ina, result.
Our cause is good. II is founded upon the i'm
mu,able principles Of Right. II has hitherto been
defeated only because not rightly understood
J.e, n, ,hen have our Candidates in the field. Let
eyery qualified voter lay aside prejudice, possess
himself of the views Of the friends of Constitution
al Reform as held by themseipes mot as m'srep-
rsscnied by their enemies and lo, every one vote
honestly aud conscieniousy and our Candidates
will be elected. But, should the result DO oiher-
wise. an important object will still be gained, ior
in cause which has IN 1t the elements VI success
tho first step sets us on the road' when 'eaus WIN
inevitable certainty to ultimate victory. On the
other hand, ConstI,utionulisis What have you TO
hone from apathy und inaction! 10 there any
thing TO be expected from the spirit ut present per-
vnd,np your General Assembly, And can you
expect u change Of that Spwit while you continue
10 cleo, the same men IL 1t not too much TO
expect from human nature, TO suppose that body
of men, who are left practically 10 substitute Their
own will for the Constitution oi The state, WIN OF
their own voton give you Constitution in dero-
CATION Of their own power Can you expect u
liberal Constitution from those, who have attempt
ed to vump up an old British Charter Tor the eA,
press and avowed purpose Of staying the hand Of
neform Or arc Jou satisfied when you ask ior
a Constitution to be answered by stale hna,na-
ana oyains, Free Suffrage if you are not. then
,ome Win as to the rescue ! and, by sacrifice oi
all the temporary and par,zun indictments ,ha, be-
Sc, you, give noble example Of your devotion 10
The Constitutional Cause
There is u large class probably majori'y Of
the qualified voters Of the state, who are at hca"
in favor Of such u Cons'na'ion US We PROPOSE
They ate esstn.:""y ."".