The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-04-07
Rs violation ia II hode Islamd-m Hillary Called
Out-ArsennIs Guarsied-SpecialM Messenger
dispatched to Washington for Assistance
RlOOdshed

Rs violation iR IL hode Island-mil Hillary Called
Out-Arsenals Guartied-special Messenger
dIspat ched to Washington for Assistance
BlOotished
We learn that civil war has broken out in Rhode
Island and that special messengers passed Though
this city yesterday with dispatches therefrom for the
general government. If President Tyler does not
hide the little state from the world for a week or
two with the palm of his hand, its inhabitants may
do some mischief
The State has been in the greatest excitement
all this week about adopting constitution. In
Providence, what are called the legal people, the
few, have placed guard over the State arsenals,
and the illegal people, the mass, guard over the
arsenals Of the independent companies. All these
companies are for the illegals and have had their
ranks filled up to complement. The guard sta
toned over the State arsenas being alarmed last
Monday night by noise, hailed three times, and
then fired in the direction whence the noise pro-
ceeded, and killed, not human being, but very
fine mich COW. And this is the first bloodshed
in this civil war. Immediately thereupon messen-
gers were sent to Boston to procure 1000 stand of
arms for the people, the Governor issued his procla
nation and little Rhode Island is in dreadful fer
ment and fever.
1t appears that all this great commotion began
about two years ago, when the people of that state
first formed suffrage associations But little atten-
ton was paid to them during the first year. On the
9TH of April, 1871, however, about five thousand
illegals met together on Jefferson Plains, Provi-
dence, had roast and other animals cooked
whole, a loaf Of brown bread weighing 70Olbs, and
hhds of hams, &C., for the purpose OF upsetting the
old constitution granted by Charles the Second
This mass convention attracted the attention OF
the legals, then in power, but they refused to pay
IL 4f, ThA utfA
then set about making government for themselves
and the whole people. They were determined to
participate in the affairs of the government for the
future, called another mass convention at Newport,
May 5, 1S4l, chartered steam boat at an expense
of $500, to convey the people thereto and about
seven thousand republicans met together They
passed strong resolutions, declaring their future in
entions, and appointed State Committee to draft
The mex. public demonstration of the illegals was
on the 9Th Of July, lS4l, when 5000 or 5000 assem-
bled in Providence with music and banners, march
delivered it by the Rev VIM s. Bach, now Of this
city Other resolutions were then passed similar TO
those adopted at Newport, urging the State commit
committee thereupon issued an ORDER. requesting
the inhabitants OF every town 10 send delegates to
Providence on day specified. The said delegates
were elected IN every town In the state, and the
convention met After a session OF one week, 1t
adjourned to meet again in few weeks after.
wards, when constitution was completed, sent to
the people, and adopted by nearly 1900 votes, or
from 1000 to 5000 more than of all the Anne
rcan citizens over Fl years of age residing in the
State. The convention again met, and declared the
said constitution to be the paramount law OF the |
State, to take effect after the expiration of the pre-:
sent political year.
Ali this was, however, done without any law, but
the sovereign right Of the people, to establish at
republican form of government, In place OF An ars-
tocracy, which held the rens of power under the
charter granted by Charles the Second, long before
the revolution, which excluded two thirds of the
American citizens of the State from participating in
the affairs of the State.
In the meantime the legal people feeling their
power slip out of their hands, set to work and made
constitution, which they called the only legal one.
he result was defeat, by majority of nearly 700
votes.
How these constitutional troubles will end mo one
can tell And what will become Of little Rhode
Island God only knows.