The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1841-01-27
" Is TIE EXTENSION OF SUE
FRAGE DESIRABLE IN THIS
ST1J'E"


STATE"
IL this question was TO be decided by the ma
Joriiy OF the free men of this State over twenty
one years of age, who pay taxes. or are liabfe TO
: be called on 10 do military dury-wbch con-
stltutes the right Of Suffrage in 4 great maior-
ty Of the States Of tbs Unisn, and is the only
true Democratic crlterion-it would pass in The
affirmative by very great majority but ifit is
to be decided by the free-hoidcrs, and the eldest
sons of Jre'hotaerS alone-who claim and exer-
else exclusively the rieht-it will be decided in
the NEGATIVE. by a large majority, as il has
been repeatedly and ever will be while the mi
nority claim and exercise the exclusive right.
and tile majority submit to il.
cannot bot express my opinion, that the ex-
tension OF Suffrage is desirable in this State,
upon every principle Of justice and right ltis
desirable, because very great majority Of The
citizens Of this State are debaned from the ex
erclse of one Of the most inesimabe rights of
ireemen, 10 have voice in choosing those " no .
are TO make laws FOR their government, who en-.
act laws touching their property, their ripbts
aud their duties; who impose upon them taxes
for the support Of that government. aud obliy.
them 10 arm and equip themselves for service
and hold themselves 10 readiness 10 sYppor, and
defend il.
Previous to the separation OF the United
States from Great Britain. the peeple Of this
State were governed By Royal Charter. grant
cd by Charles the second of England By What
Charter, and the laws made under it, none but ,
his MaJesty's loyal and dutifu subjects, being ,
possessed OF a real estate TO a certain amount ,
and the eldest sons OF such frccholders oye,
twenty one years Of age, on taking an oath -ofl |
to the King and Government of Great o
Britain were allowed TO enjoy the right Of suf- o
rage, and all others were obliged to submit and r
conform to the viii of majority Of those hay- l.
ng freehold estates, which, even at thai time. q
we're minority Of the free male Inhabitants o. n
'er twcnty-one years. The Royal Charter also O
pporlloned the number Of Representatives each G.
own should be entitled 10 in The General As ir
emily, not IN proportion to the number of in. ri
doHdnts IN each town, but according to his p,
sovereign will and pleasure. Both the right n
Suffrage, and the apportionment of Repre- b,
pntatives were radically wrong, and .ould no, .,
supported and defended on any prin, irIc OF vc
,slice. -
AT length, after long series of wrongs and er
ppreSsions imposed on The inhabitants of this q;
'uh'fy by the King and Parliament Of Great ,e
ran which are matters of history. and need Ia,
'' a fehersai on this OCCASION in the year l776,
ese United States declared themselves lnde. pr
'ndent and that they are absolved from all al, te,
glance TO the British Crown, and that all po- 81
zeal connexion between them and the Gov
n'nent Of Great Britain is and ought to be to- an
lly dissolved. And the General Assembly OF no
is State at the same lime in session passed if
e following.
g .Stats Of R4ode Island and Proridencc Plan. thc
tqti0ns."
GENERAL Assembly, July Session, l77G. jur
This General Asscr,h,y ,,,;o 49,. ~. eli
'sI serious consideration the resolution of the
'si honorable the General Congress Of the ~
lHed States OF America of the 4ih Instant d. 'N
ming the said States free and Indeppadenl pos
des do approve the said resolution. and d,
EMMY engage that we will support the said
neral Congress IN the said resolution with
+ lives aud fortunes" -"
tia,
Us "',s VI Tue ""ea "'''eS ana OF apr
State the Charter Under which the people mn,
thus State had been governed since the reign 2
Charles the Second "by the grace OF God" her
) abroSoted, annulcd and made void and Vic
&C that period, all the powers that have been the
f''Scd oy 'he GENERAL Assembly OF this State pay
assumed powers, derived from no authority and
1tever. it was at that epoch that the people Of +
his State had an opportunity, aud ought to T
e followed the example Of other States. and nor
ned Constitution for their Government, hol,
nded Oh the rights Of man. and establishing then
n.y." e' SuutdSe' ana elnai representations. free
a sure and durable basis-the will Of the r
ority OF the people. Sta,
The Declaration Of Independence holds all IN h
to be created equal; that they are endow- can,
by their Creator with c,r,aiu inalienable ci,iz
Tvs ''l"' among 'hese are HE, Liberty, and may
pursuit oi happiness; that to secure these Sl3
lis Goveroments are instituted among men. the
wing their just powers from the consent OF I.
governed; that whenever any form Of gov fact,
"e'. o'e'"es destructive OF those ends. it que,
ne T'2ht OF the people to alter or abolish it, !, II
TO institute new government, laying it.
ndation on such principles, and organising y,
." '''""' "S ~ '"eiii s""' see'' trict
II likely to eject their safety aud happiness v.,,
the Constitution Of the United States guar
'es TO every State in his Union Repub- Nj.
form Of government
:, been
he Government assumed without authority.
carried on by a tninority of The free ci,i ~