Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-05-13
CONVENTION AT NEWPORT.

our readers generally. 1
CONVENTION AT NEWPORT.
The Mass Convention Of the people
or this State favorable TO the cause Of
Equal Rights and Constitution for the
State assembled according TO previous
notice at Newport on Wednesday last.
The procession wns formed in Broad st.
under the direction Of the Hon. Charles
Collins, Chief Marshal Of the day, and
moved through the principal streets Of
the town TO the Church lot, so called, at
the head Of 1ouro st. The Convention
was called to order by the Chief Mar
shal, whereupon Benjamin Arnold Jr.
was appointed President, and Sllas Sis
son Secretary, pro. TEN. for the purpose
Of organizing the Convention. The
Rev. Mr.. Smith of Newport, one Of the
ChaPlains Of the day then addressed the
throne of Grace in an appropriate and
impressive manner after which it was
voted, that Committee of FIVE be cho.
sen TO nominate officers for the Conven-
ton.
John Sierne, Henry Bailey, Samuel
II. Wales, Francis Is. Peckham, and
Benz. NJ. Bosworib were appointed that
Committee.
The President then called upon the
Rev. MIR. Steere Of Newport, to address
the Convention, which he did in n very
appropriate manner.
\ The Committee on nominations then
made the following report. For Presi-
dent, Gen. Martin Stoddard. For Vice
Presidents, j ohm Stcrne, Franklin Cooley,
Samuel II. Wales, JAS. A. Greene, Silas
Sis.on and J. A. Brown. For Secreta-
res, Samuel Thomas, Francis B. Peck
ham. The report was accepted and the
several gentlemen were elected to the
respective offices for which they were
nominated.
I The President on taking the Chair,
thanked the Convention for the honor
conferred on him and made some remarks
on the importance of the subject before
us in his usual and happy manner.
4 Messrs. VIM. Enns, Edwin Field,
David Parmenter, Jesse Calder and
Simeon Anthony, were appointed n CON-
mitlee TO report resolutions for the con-
sideration of the Convention, and retired
for tina, purpose.
The meeting was then ndressed by
Vice President j. Greene, by the Hon.
, Dutse j. Pearce and by VIM. Ennis,
Esq. The band was then invited on
the stage and by request played the
| NlarsciIles Hymn. The committee op-
pointed to prepare resolu''"ns for the
/ Convention, made the following report;
\ Whereas i, is the undeniable right o
the people, al all times, peaceably to as
semble for consultation and !or confer
, ence touching the government urde
!, which they live, and which they assis
in supporting; and independently to ute
and set forth on such occasions Of meet
; ing together, their views, sentiments an6
plans relative TO the correction ms vel
: Of defects in the organization Of govern
ment, rs of faults in the administration oI
the same. We, n portion Of the people
of this State, now assembled at Newport
in n Mass Convention from nll parts oI
the State, and acting on behalf oI the
great body Of our uneniranchised fellow
citizens, do declare their and our opinion:
and purposes in the following
/, RESOLU TIONS.
;, Resolved |. That it is repugnant L
J. the spirit Of the Declaration Of American
n Independence, and dcrogatory TO ih
= character Of Rhode Island Republican
10 acknowledge the charter of a BRITlsI
KING, as Constitution OF political gov
ernment. While we vencrate The illus
triour names OF Roger Williams and Jobr
Clarke, to whose unllring ability ant
t pc severance the Colony OF Rhode ISLAND
D. was indebted for this grant from The
throne Of England, so well adapted y
the time 10 the wants Of his MaJcsy'
subjects. and so liberal in its concessions
we are at the same time aware that II
almost oil respects, excepting the I'm
u, mortal declaration and guaranty Of Re
/. ligious freedom, it has become insufficient
and obsolete, that il should be laid asld
in The archives of the State and no lrnge
be permitted To subsist as barrier agaln'
the Rights and liberties OF the people.
2. That, in the opinion oi this Con
l. vcntion, on the occurrence Of the Revc
>, luton, when the ties Of alleg glance, whic
!. bound the subjects Of this Colony to tn
7 throne Of England, were dissolved, I'll
I, Rights Of Sovereignty in accordanc
with the principles of Republican go,
:. ernment, passed TO the whole body {
n the people Of this State and not TO mn
special or favored portion Of the same
that tho whole people were and are III
lust and rightfu successors OF The Brl
ish King, and as such were and are en-
j; titled 10 alter, amend, or annul the iorr
to and provisions Of government then an
il. now subsisting, with the sole resirlciio
imposed by the Constitution OF the Un
ted States, and in their ORIGINAL an
SOVEREIGN capacity to devise and es,nl
lish such a Constitution rs they ma
n. deem to be best adapted to the gener
's, welfare.
tie 3. That no lapse Of time can bar u
1t sovereignty inheren, in the people
10 this State and that their omission
w ~. form a Constitution, and their tolerate
n, Of the abuses under which they have
n. long lnbored nre 10 he ,egarded
proof that long suffering and forbeo
u