Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-04-25
RHoDE-IsLAND DIFFICULTIES.

ItOucnng the present position pt the pOHtcs OF
that State. The view OF this subject taken by the
National Executive is calm and judicious and
will commend itself to the appreciation ofall good
cilizcns
TO His Erceiiency The Governor Of Rhode Island:
SIR,-Your letter dated the 4tb inst was hand
ed me on Friday by Mr. Whipplc, who, in COM
pany with Mr.. Francis aud Mr.. Potter, called up
ON me on Saturday, and placed me, both verbally
and by writing, in possession of the prominent
facts which have led to tue present unhappy con-
dilion oil things in Rhode Island "a state OF
things which every lover of peace and good or
der must deplore. | shall not adventure the ex-
preston OF an opinion upon those questions OF
domestic policy, which seem to have given rise 10
the unfortunate controversies between portion
of the citizens aud The existing Government Of
the State. They are questions of Municipal reg
unliou, the adjustment of which belongs exclu-
sively to the people of Rhode Island, and with
which this Government can have nothing 10 do.
For the regulation OF my conduct, in any inter
position which mny he called upon 10 mike, be-
tween the Government of Stale aud any por-
lion of lis citizens who may asSall It with domes-
tic violence, inay he in actual instruction =
gnins it, can only look to the Constitution aud
Laws Of The United States, which plainly declare
the obligations of the Executive Department, and
leave it no alternative to the course it shall pur
sue.
| By the 9TH SectDn of the 4ih Article Of The
Constitution of the United States it is provided
that the United SIntes shall guaranty 10 every
State in this Union n Republican form OF Govern
ment, and shall protect each of them against in
vuson; aud on Ihs application Of the Legislature,
or Executive, (wheu the Legislature cannot be
convened) against domestic riOieHco And by the
Act Of Congress approved on the 25th February,
1905, it is decared-lha in case Of an insurrec-
ton 10 any State against The Government thereof, ii
shall be lawful for the President of the United
Suites, upon application OF the Legislature OF such
State, or OF the Executive when the Legislature
cannot he convened 10 call forth such number of
the militia OF any other State States ms may he
applied for, MS lie may Judge sufficient TO suppress
such insnrreeton. by the 3D. section of the same
ACT, it is provided that whenever it may be neces
sary in the judgment of the President, to use the
military force hereby directed TO be called forth,
the President shall forthwith by proclamation,
command such insurgents to dispense and retire
peaceably TO their respective abodes within u rea-
sonable time.
BY the act of March 3, 1907, it is provided
"hat in all cases Of instruction obstruction to
the laws either OF the United States or any ndi-
vldua Stuie or Territory where it is lawful for
the President of the United States to cali forth
the MILITIA for the purpose OF SURPRISING such
lnsurrecloD, or of causing the laws 10 lie duly ex-
ecued, il shall he lawful for him 10 employ for
the same purposes, such part OF the land or naval
force of the United States as shall he Judged ne
cessary, having first observed all the pre-requl-
sites OF the law in that respect"
This is the first occasion, so far rs the govern
ment OF II Stnie and its people are concerned, on
which n has become necessary 10 consider OF the
propriey oil ex ercising these high and most i'm
porant constitutional aud legal functions. BY a
careful consideration OF the above reciteG acts of
Congress your Excelency viii not fail to see,
that no power is vested in the Executive OF the
United States to anticipate insurrectionary move
ments against the Government Of Rhode Island,
SO to sanction the Inlerposiiion OF tue military
authority, but hat there must he an actual insur-
rec,loh manifested by Iawless assembages OF the
people or otherwise, TO whom proclamation may
he addressed, and who may be required 10 betuke
themselves TO their respective abodes. l have,
however, to assure your EXceency TINT should
the time arrive, and my fervent prayer is that it
may never come, when an Instruction shall ex-
list against the Government OF Rhode Island, aud
a requiston shall be made upon the Executive of
the United States to furnish that protection which
is guaranteed to each : ate by the Constitution
and laws, shall not he found TO shrink from the
performance Of duty, which, while it would be
The most painful is ut the same time the most i'm
perutive have also TO say that in such con-
tngency, the Executive could not look into real
or supposed defects Of the existing government,
in order to ascertain whether some other plan of
government proposed for adoption was better suit
ed to tho wants and more in accordance with the
wishes of any portion of her citizens. To throw
the Executive of this Governments INFO my such
controversy. would be to make the President The
armed arbitrator between the people Of the diff
ferent States aud their constituted authorities, and
might lead to an usurped power, dangerous alike
To lie stability of the State Governments and the
liberties of the people II will be my duty, on
the contrary, to respect the acquisitions OF that
government Which has been recognised as the ex-
listing Government of the State through all time
past until shall he advised in a regular manner,
that it has been altered and abolished md another
substituted in its place, by legal aud peacenble
proceedings, adopted and pursued by the author-
lies and people OF the State. Nor can l readily
bring myself to believe thai any such contingency
will arise, as shall render the interference OF this
Government at oil necessary The people OF the
Slate OF Rhode Island have been too long disIin =
euished for their love of order aud of regular
government, TO rash into revolution IN order 10
obtain redress of grievance, real OF supposed,
which a government under which their fathers
lived in peace, wonld in due season redress. No
uortion of her people will he willing to drehch
her fair fields with the blood Of their own brelh-
rem, in order to obtain redress Of grievances
which their constituted authorities cannot, for
ny length of time resist, if properly appealed 10
by the popular voice. None of them will be will
, ling 10 set example, III the bosom OF this I'm
ion, of such frightIl disorder, such needless
yuIsons of society, such danger TO life, liberty and
property, and likely 10 bring dscredh on the char.
ac:er OF popular governments. My reliance on
the virtue, intelligence and patriotism of her clIl
zens, is great and abiding, and will not doubt but
that a spirit of Cancellation will prevail rash
councils, that all actual grievances will be prompt
y redressed by the existing Government, and that
another bright example will he added to the ma
nv already prevailing among The North American
Republics, OF change without revolntion aud a
redress of grievances without force CT violence.
tender to your Excellency assurances of my
high respect und consideration.
JOHN TYLER,
} Washington, April II, 1912
RHODE IsLAND.-1he Election under The Peo-
PIES Constitution was held yesterday. The wealth
er was uniavorable II northeast wind and driz-
ely rain prevailing during the day There was
no excitement in the city, and we heard of none