The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-12-30
Fran the Providence Herald.
OUR ROYAL CHARTER.


Unless We are greatly in -rror "A ~ the min
riprs, and the true intern and n,s,,;nr af ,s
puhlfceau form Of governmen, .. ,,,a,rs,oo3
by ihe snends oi political eqsslty. and reeop-
nsed by the,Consii:niion OF ihe United S,ates
also Ia the Declaration Of American Indepen-
uence, such government is one than i. h..sd
on the free and voluntary consent Of iho u,,;.,r-
ny OF the people. By people, we mean, en.
pnaueaIy, the whole people. without regard 70
i'nh' "ea'lh or condition. Such must have
been the intention Of those who put forth o,.,
declaration Of indie endence. or ,hey wouId na,
have assumed the bold and. for the times starr.
ling language, that AL MEN ARE cRrArrn
EQUAL In truth. no other supposition is ten
ahIe republican government is a yolun-
tsfy compact IL IS designed for the govern.
ment and control Of all. II compact in which
all are Included and by which ali are bound
hen all have the unqussiionahle right TO he
come parties in its formation an,,adoption
tor low Is 1t possible that any man can be
either legally or morally bound by contract 10
which his assent is not required, and in which
he can have no voice What difference wouls
or could there be between such a government.
on the sesre Of principle and the purcst der
potlsm OF the Eastern World : A brief com
parlssn will decide.
Ihe government Of Russia is despo,ism
Why IS II so! Simply because there is but
one voluntary party to the political compact
Ihe power resides in the AuIocrat and tho
people submit from necessity. Suppose the
Russian Autocrat should call together his prin-
ees, mobiles, and landholders, make thsm all
equal with himself, and hencelorh have IA
Governor, Legislature, &c. elected by a ma
Jorliy OF their voles; would YOU call that re-
public, in which all we're equally Interested =
gogeErment Of the people, by which all wer.
bound, on tue true principle of civil Iber,,
and political equality? lfso. just take anoti-
er look. You will discover thousands. y..
millions, neither mobiles, princess nor andhol.
ders, who. for one Of these reasons. are exclu-
ded from all participation in the g0vernmeui.--
They have no share in il, except TO be govern
ed OF these people! How are they parties To
this compact! BY what other principle than
that OF force, are they bound to render obs
dence to II And why is it not precisely as
much depoiism to them, as was the govern
ment IN the hands Of the Au,ocraI alone
| Precisely such is the government of Rhods
Island. Ii is ihe government OF the few uvel
the many. 1t is the government of the p,.,!-
legged order over the less fortunate. II rourr..-
diets the sound republican maxim, that govern
meni IS voluntary compact of the people i1-
tended for the benefit of the governed IN
stead of calling for The surrender of some rign,s
10 secure others, it has violently wrested The
entire rights of two thirds Of the commuai.y
from them, and vested them in the keeplna O..
one third, who either restore. curtail. or with
/ hold them, as the caprice or interest OF the few
may dictate. To call such government Il re-
public, or any thing else than depoiism, would
be altogether Idle. as it must be evident thal
the ma Gritty would never voluntarily aJopt l.---
and that they would never submit to il, hu,
from necessity, actual or supposed. Such r
government, nevertheless, we have in Rhode
lsdnd, and to show what title it has 10 be cou-
sidered republican, and what claims to respect
and obedience from American rcemen, lee ns
inquire how we came by it, aud what are il.
! operation aud effect.
Let 1t be remembered, as the frs, prirc:plo
of republican freedom, that government is 4
voluntary compact, entered into by mcmbs1s Of
the same community, for their mutual benefit
and security. Let it also be remembered, tha,
Rhode Island claims to be sovereign aud IN
dependent State, aud a member of the vlg.,
American Contederacy; holding, in Cor5uoa
with her twenty-five sister States, that E:.:.
owes no allegiance TO a foreign power, .ha'
power resides Ia and emanalrs from the pee PIE.
that they alone can legitimaleiy consl,nt,
government; that that government must be
voluntary compact, designed for the benefit aud
security vi the whola and that ALL MIN ARi.
CREATED EQUAL.
WIN tuese PROFESSIONS ln your nlnO, I4Ht
lopen the Statute Book OF Rhode Island. Dc
not stop, TO glance your eyes over the Dccla'.-
ton of Independence which occupies the flst
few pages, nor The Constitution Of the Uni,ei
States which succeeds it lest they sh.rld
cause you TO discrPdit what follows them hut
Immediately hasten forward TO the cBARTFR.
and there learn bow admirably the practice CT.
+ Rhode Island corresponds with her profess rs
10 the world.
Some constitutions commences with, -
the people,"' ordan so and So. Others say.
/" The body polite is Termed by The voluntary q
socidtion Of indiuidudis."f Others aesin, that
|" All men are born free end cqldi and hare csr-
tain natural, essential, and analierdbic rjchts VI
Others again say, Al men are born cguc ~
free and independent: 1hertjore, all gorerl-
t mint, Of reM. originates from the people, is
founded ~ consent, and instituted for he gcrtr-
, Idl good."T Again, we find such as,,he follow
ing Government 6etng Instituted for he CO...
mon benef, protection, and security ofhe WHO
coaMUNITY. Gad not for the pirate interest e.
emoiument OF any one man, family or CLASS CT
MEM herrtore. ,rhenerer ne ends Of gorernmc,
are perrertcG, or public liberty ymanitcstiy endan-
gercd. and all other means otredress are ircfeO.
ual. The PEOPLE MAY. and Of right OUGHT ro
J rejcrm The old. or establish nsw gorernment--
The doctrine Of non resistance against drbitrdrn
Powcr. and oppression. rs absurd, slarish. ara
destructjve of he good oHd happiness Of mas-
kinds Others say AL men. rkeu they far
a social compact, are equal in rights " The,
all political poic-r is inherent in he PEOPLE. cnG
ldH free gortrnmentS are toundcd on their auHoT-
iiy, and instituted for their JeEft; and me-
; hey hare at all times an un5tpi06ic and '"ae
feasible night, 10 alter their form q eottIhHtri
IN such a manner as hcy may hink sTpeS'o"f'
/" Al gorernmeHi Of right originates JnGm Ne
people, is founded in COMPACT Only ana ,TSl;
,tutsd SOLELY t0r the GOOD or THE wBoLk'
.Maine. Massachusetts. view Hampshire
sS.,, u,mn.hirs rConnecticui. ..Maryand.