The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1836-01-23
RESOLUTIONS
PASSED BY THE FIRST CONVENTION
Of the
Constitutional Party,

Held at Providence, February 22d, 1884.
WHEREAS It is the undeniable right OF
the People, at all times, peaceably to as
semble for consultation and conference,
the government under which
they live, ,and winch they assist & have an
interest in supporting and independently
TO utter and set forth, on such occasions
of meeting together, their views, senti-
mcnts and plans as 10 the correction both
of defects IN the organization OF govern
mcnt and of faults IN The administration Of
the same We, who are now here assem-
bled in Convention, as representatives. OF
n po,tion of the people Of this State, do
declare their and our opinions and purpo-
ses. in the following Resolutions:
Resolred,-l. Thut it is repugnant to
the spirit OF the Declaration oi American
Independence, and derogatory tothe cha
racter of Rhode Island republicans, to ac-
knowledge the Charter OF a BhlTIsH KING,
as constitution OF civil government.
@. That the time has iully arrived for a
vigorous and concentrated effort TO accom-
pllsh the object OF politica! reform in this
State.
8 That the public good imperatively
requires that the powers OF the legislature
and the rights OF the citizen, which are
now no where clearly defined, should be
defined and fixed by written State Con-
stitutlon.
a. That the representation olthe towns
in the General Assembly, as originally
established by the provisions Of the Char
ter of King Charles ii, had reference TO
their then existing population, and was, at
tha, time, not unfairly adjusted TO ii but
that, by the great increase ofPoPulation
IN the towns, the existing apportionment
has become exceedingly unequal and un-
jus, in its operation, aud that more equal
distribution OF representatives among the
towns, will be an indispensable article in
a Constitution Tor this Slate.
s. That, at the foundation of this State,
and long after, property in land was not
only the principal property OF the citizens,
but was SO easily attalnable that landed
qualification for voters excluded only Il
small portion OF the people from political
mower but that the circumstances OF
the people have since greatly changed,
and that the existing qualification has the
effect Contrary TO the design ofthose who
first established it Of excluding the ma
iority, among whom are large portion OF
those who puy taxes, from all political prl-
vileges and participation in the affairs Of
o oyernment and that, although we en-
ter,aln proper respect for Landholders,
we are nsl nsensible to the merits OF the
the Merchants, Working
Men AID oihers, who own no land aud
that we are Of opinion that the longer con-
linuance OF landed qualification, as tho
, Exclusive condition OF exercising the elect
i've franchise, is u great injustice, and is
to the spirit aud principles Of
republican government and that Con-
stllulion ior this State will be altogether
unsatisfactory, and Impracti-
cable, that does not restore To the majori-
Iy ol the people tho rights and privileges
Of American citizens.
.. That in the opinion Of this Convcn-
lion all white mule citizens OF the United
States ovsr twenty-one years Of age, lex
cept paupers and persons under guardian
ship, who have resided within this Stale
Ior period OF not less than one year pre-
ceding their claim TO vote, and within the
Town where they shall oiler to vote, lof
The term OF not less than three months
prec ,d,ng ,h,ir claim to vote, should be
cul,lqd TO the right Of suIirdge, upon pay
..- .rd that no person Dorn oul Vi