Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-04-14

The Boston Atlas Of yesterday, in reply to
some romarks of the Morning Post, on the
present difficulties in Rhode Island, says with
great truth androint;-
"Wo arc, and always have boen, in favor of
free and liberal extension Of the right Of suf.
ftnge. This, however, has nothing to do with
Tho present controversy in Rhode Island, or
with tho insurrectionsry movements which a
knot Of infnriated Locofoces arc trying to get
up there. II has hsen the pleasure Of the peo-
pie OF Rhode lsland-and il has frequently
been matter Of special wonder to us that il has
been SOLO live under their ancient Charter,
granted by tho second Charles Strange as this
$50 far as we know, they have lived happi-
iy, prospcrously and uncomp plainingly. A short
time since, portion of the citizens of that
State, who were dissatisfied with the existing
state of things, pettioned the General Assem-
bly,, requesting an .xtention Of suffrage, &c.
Acting upon this petition, tho General Assem-.
bly, took immediate measures for the convoca-
ton of Convention, for the purpose of draft
ing a Constitution, containg a provision to meet
tho views of the petitioners, aud giving to The
State moro definite form Of Government
which Constitution was to be submitted to the
People, 70. their ratification or rejection. Such
Constitution was prepared. Ii provided for
an ample extension of the right at suffrage.
There was no objection made to it, on that
score. 1t was submitted To the Peoplc-and
rejected, by majority Of about 600 votes, and
on no other ground than that it did not origi-
nato with certain dcmagogues, who were not
willing that the wishes Of the People should
bo complied with, excep, through their instru.
mentality, and by the highly illegal course
which they had pointed out.
The People of Massachusetts have an estab-
lished Constitution aud form Of Government.
Does the Morning Post mean TO take the ground
that, if portion Of the People of this State
should chance to become dissatisfied with the
operation of that Constitution, they would
have a right to disregard all the forms Of law
by which that instrument may be changed, and
assemble in tumultuous primary meetings, for
the purpose of working that change under
other than the regularly constituted forins' If
it does maintain this ground, wo say that, how
ever we may agree with il ia regard to the
extension of the elective franchise-we most
certainly differ with it, toto celo, upon this
point. lie who maintains that ground is no
DEMocRAT-Ile is Il most foul aud odious
JAcoBIS-and the People ought to keep II
sharp eye upon him.
We say that, if these Rhode Island disorga-
nizers, led ON as they are by some of the worst
spirits in the community, do proceed to any
overt acts against the established government,
and persist IN those acts, the force of the Ma
tonal Government will be called in, and that
!, ought to be encrgetcaliy exercised, TO qucIl
this insurrec ionary movement, and put AN
end to the rebellion. We sincerely hope it
will not be necessary to make use of any force
but if the necessity does arise, we hope ii
will be met with frn, determination to ,nap,
tain the supremacy of the Laws.