Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-05-19

ers with which it was proposed to invest them,
it was very clear that this General Assembly
could pass no legislative act upon It. Sup
pose the House had all the facts before them,
and II should turn ont that sundry citizens OF
the town Of Johnston had voted when they
had no right to vote, what would IT amount
Ito, The gentleman from Johnston would
| hold his seat as secure as he now holds IT, Ii
! could not effect the election Of the general
, Officers or any person now holding an Office.
q The General Assembly would then have
been guilty OF the solecism of having appon-
ted a committee to ascertain the truth of GER
tain charges, and upon the report Of the CON-
mlttee, find themselves unable to move a SIN
gle step. These were his views of the sub
ject on hearing the memorial. But now the
matter had assumed very different aspect.
Motives were imputed to these memorialists
that he did not dream Of. His political friends
and his political opponents had been suppos-
ed guilty Of frauds, and in order to see which
has been the most wicked, it has been sug-
gested that this investigation be extended
throughout the State. He supposed they
would come out about as pure on one side as
on the other. He considered the practice Of
making fraudulent voters, improper and dis
graceful, and he would never assist in the
practice of his profession in drawing deed
for the purpose of making a fraudulent vote
lie had observed, however, in his experience,
that in all contested elections, each party
have done their best, ,fraudulently or legally,to
get as many votes as they could. They have
done so not only since the present party lines
have been drawn, but such was the conduct
of parties in the time of the old Federal and
/ tic Nko &c xha
posed investigation would only prove this
perfectly satisfied.
At the last session, we altered tho whole
form of our election law, and as far as human
means were capable, endeavored to provide
against the preparation of fraud in our cleo
tlons. But we could not prevent mans
perjuring himself We could not prevent
moral crime-physical crime we might pre-
vent We had done all that we could do to-
prevent moral crime, by annexing a severe
penalty for its commission. Would this in
vestigation aid our future legislation?-Ha
we not legislated upon the ground of the ex-
istence Of these frauds? Else where was the
necessity of the late law? Will this COM
mittee give us further information upon the
subject? No. They might satisfy the curl
osity of some persons who wish to lay openl
all the mansions of crime and view it in all its
aspects, and he was perfectly willing they
should be gratifed, but not by the aid of this
Legislature.
This discussion had produced one good
effect at least. 1t had shewn us who were
the great men Of the party. The gentleman
from Newport who has had the Abolitionists
upon his hands, is the Blackhawk, and the
gentleman from Johnston it appears is the
Tecumseh. They were then the two great
men in the ranks of our opponents. AS to
the aspersions which have been cast upon the
gentleman from Johnston, he was free to ac-
cord and did freely accord his firm and hon.
est conviction that that gentleman is made
the mark Of malice, the object of party ran
cor, because his power was felt. 1t was good
management in the army for the column to
attack him who was the strongest, for if the
head and front of the opposition is destroyed,
all minor foes will give way. The gentleman
occupied position, to which his talents, can
dor. and well deserved character for honesty
entitle him, and which it must be expected
would be most exposed to attack. He (mr
Atwcln had no idea that the great mass of
those opposed to that gentleman, felt any
great personal hostility towards him. They I
would be proud to have his private friendship.
Mr. Simmons observed that he felt obliged
% the gentleman for the favorable sentiments
which he had expressed towards him. Was
he General Assembly ever before invoked
or the purpose Of destroying the powers of
my man in this State? He cared nothing
or the contemplate slang of newspaper
cri5blers, which the gentleman seemed to
suppose him to be writing under, but he felt
pride in the character of his native State
md he despsed an investigation, of the mean
md despicable nature Of that which was now
proposed. He would rather suffer under the
mputation which had been thrown upon him,
han have them cleared up at such sacrl-
ice Of the dignity and honor Of this General
Assembly. An investigation for such pur-
pose, so unworthy of the Legislature, he
should resist to the last. He should resist it
n friend or foe. If an investigation was ask
I'd, for any valuable purpose, he would insist
hat every proper inquiry should be made
t was no light matter to make the charges
contained in this memorial, and which had al
70 been alleged against him. But there was
lot an editor or publisher of newspaper
ense on account of the calumny which they
ad bestowed upon him; and ordinarily he be- II
eved they suffered more chagrin on this ac-
cunt than he did His business and family
compelled him to abandon ac-
i've personal excrtions in aid of his political
lie hoped that gentlemen would
orbear passing further encomiums upon him.
I was painful for him to hear them. IL
Mr. Hazard, Of West Greenwich remarked
hat good deal had been said upon the sub
ect already, and much personal feeling mani.
ested. He should not shrink from his duty I
n whatever place he stood. The House had {
een told that gentlemen Of high standing
ad been guilty Of making fraudulent voters. ,
FOR his part he was willing that these men,
fthey had done this, should stand as low as