Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-11-09

In the country. II Is true their polstiea' privileges
we're not sqosI sons towns bad greater psopos-
ton OF representation Than o,hers and there were
property qaal.hcs',en, for vctess. These were the
ev.is and all the evils complained al.
Hn is to be GRANTED. that for reasons l'ke these.
sovernment may, At eny time. 10 overturned ~
violence We shall never IN this country, be without
fruitful causes Of civil war. There in qlaIies
~ the right Of suffrage and representation IN every
State; and in name, con greater in, quality OF re-
presentation be found, than at present exists. under
on. national government. IN the Senate OF the ue'
ted States. There two millions aud haf oi the
citizens Of Now York more numtronsly re-
presented than a bundled thousand citizens OF
Rhode Island.
Considerations like these should sa,isfy US. that
mere theories about government and political rights,
unseeomp n ed by oppression an pr,va;'on OF civil
rights, can never in this country, justify resort to
the sword. Public opinion is the safe. proper, and
certain corrective of all evils cf this Description. Its
operation u gradual. but Il Is surely better to Wait
long and pa nty for is ultimate ehsets, than rash
ly To engage in savage warfare with each other
Indeed. IN Rhode Island. pubic opinion had already
produced its effect, and lett those, whose feet were
so swim TO shed blood. without the slightest excuse
Before they raised the standard OF rebslon, the lc-
gsla,ure had caused a constitution to be submitted
TO tho people, whl5h il fully in their power to
adopt. IL will hardly be deemed eutheient sns~er
10 his to say, that not such IN all respects as
portion OF the people required II went almost the
whole extent OF their demands. liz IL not desnable
that changes 10 government should 10 abrupt, IN
matters about which there is nearly an equal oivi-
sion OF opinion. In all veil regulated communities,
such changes are always gradual, and there cannot
be the slightest doubt but that, in Rhode Island sur
rounded by froe republics and herself one OF their
elder sisters, every thing, which could be justly de-
manded. soud IN due time, have been obtained.
And, under all the circumstances, the attempt, which
vas made by portion Of her people. TO plunge the
State IN civil war, deserves, in my judgment, the
'everest apprehension of every humane ci,z,n, and
every lover Of his country. AND cannot ind words
to express my OF the conduct of those, Who.
uneoncerned in the affairs OF that State and remote
from the dangers and horrors that scene, urged on
aud stimulated her deluded citizens TO the enactment
Of the tragedy which they eager to witne e.
have thought it my duty to express these views,
because it is subject ofmm eda,e interest TO ussl
and because suitable expression Of opinion, as to
The Character Of such events, is perhaps one Of the
best means Of preventing their recurrence. IL Is due
also TO the STATE OF Rhode Island. after having pass
I'd through 90 severe add unsxampled trial, and
after the noble exhibition che has made Of hrmness,
wisdom and forbearanee, under circumstances Of
such extreme difficulty and peril.