New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-09-14
1hc Doc,rines of Dorrism.


ken. The sympathising resolution passed by our
r. eeislan,re-the fact tina. Martin Van Buren, ad-
dressed a letter Of encouragement and support to
the late Dorr gathering at the Seekonk Ciam-bake
the course of Cows. Hubbard and Cleveland,
backed by their Legslatures-the general tenor OF
the Locs-Foc press-the open threat that Repre-
.entatyes from Rhode Island elected under Dorr' 8
Constitution, and none others, shall take their
seats in the next Congress if the Loco-Focos have
the power-all point unerringly in that direction.
I More recen,ly-indeed, on Friday last-resou-
tons asserting the legality of the Dorr movement,
| and that DORIS is the rightful Government OF
Rhode Island, were offered BY a Loco-Foco in the
Senate of Massachusetts and sustained by the en-
tire party. These ominous movements impose on
the entire country the necessity of carefully exam
| lining and perfectly understanding the elements
and character of this Rhode Island controversy,
and we make no apology for re-s,ating and illus
| trating them.
But we have few words first to say to MIR.
Martin Van Buren, of Undertook, Columbia
county, who has chosen to mix himself with this
controversy in manner eminently bespeaking a
dishonest purpose and disingenuous nature
That we may not be accused of misrepreseHting
it, we publish it entire, placing in Italics that Por
| ton which we dsem uncandid, and virtually IN
sinuating falsehood. Here it is:
] KrNpERHooK, Aug. n, 1872.
Sir-I have received your letter OF the l6lh iSt con-
tanning invitation from the Committee OF ARRANGEMENTS
Of which you the Chairman, to meet the Democrats ana
Friends of Suffrage Rhode Island at Mass Clam Bake,
| In Seekonk, Mass. on the seth inst :,
Although have regret that will not be IN my power
10 be present the occasional must beg you 10 convey 10
the meeting for their friendly rene
Dsbv with them in their efforts to secure for People of
fhode Island the enjoyment OF the rights and privileges 70
fellow citizens in the other states OF the Union While Il
regard the obstruction, long and pernac,ousy cgred N
your States to M e o. a4i iae and n am
happy beere that they scH get be made to ysa 10 me per-
,euering demands Of tie and that the pr'ncpes
equal and democratic liberty mast ultimately "e1u'
IL, Rhode Island elsewhere.
pleased express those for whom you act and 70
accept for yourself Of respect aud regard
h0u' l'0'' M M. VAN BUREN.
P.w. FERRIS, Esq. Chairman
Now the ignorant and undiscerning Throughout
the land on whom this letter is intended to or
rate do not know that the question OF Free
frage is no longer subsistug one in Rhod :
and but Martin Van Buren, knows it rish III.
He knows that the question now at Is IS not
whether the Suffrage shall be largely eA nded for
that is conceded on all hands, but whether it shall
be extended as it was in this State and in other
States or whether those who ask to be admitted TO
Political power shall without ceremony help them
selves The question is whether Free Constr
tuition shall be formed in Rhode Island as IN this
and all other States by Convention called by the
Legislature elected under Suffrage defined by
law. The difference Mr. Van Buren, very well
understands lie knows that it involves the very
essential difference between Government of Laws
and one of pure Physical Force. He knows the
tremendous effect that the establishment OF the
Dorr principle would naturally exert upon ali the
institstions of the Country. He knows that when
the Suffrage of this State was more restricted we
had many friends of an Extension, but not one ad-
vocate of the legal! Constitutional right of the nom
voting class to extend it themselves. Knowing
these things as Mr.. Van Buren, must, we submit
to the candid reader that perverts and misstaIes
the question ut issue, with the clear intent OF
fomenting and aggravating the difficulties which
every true Patriot and Republican must seek to
obviate But what are thousand lives to this
pQilllCldit "iIeH HS.i '' eu~
with dozen votes for the Presidency
But Mr. " B. trusts that the principle of Free
Suffrage will ultimately prevail A safe hope
that If intended as prophecy, it is not very
daring to predc, the existence some time or other
of that which has already taken place. Indeed,
looking back on the progress he has himself made
on this subject he ought not to despair OF any body
else. 1t is now but twenty,one years since Mr.
Van Buren, was himself member Of the Conven-
ton which formed the present Constitution of this
State wherein, so far from advocating the hight of
| the non-voters to help themselves TO the Right of
Suffrage, he stood opposed to Universal Suffrage
al all. That we do not misrepresent him on this
point either, we quote directly from the official
Report of the Debates and Proceedings of the
| Convention, pages ISL, 1872, viz =
MIR VAN BuREs said tina, as the vote he should give
what called The highway qualification, would be dill
erenl what had been former occasion, he et
il duly make bret explanation of the MOVIES which
governed him. The qualifications reported by The inst Com
ni,tee OF three kind, viz The payment OF money
| highways The former bad met with his decided APP
probation the latter he wished 10 add tue additional
qualifications that the elecor. II he paid no lax performed
no militia DUTY offered his vot the sole ground that
he had labored on the highways, should also be ho
holder: and that was the Ony psiut III winch ne au us
sentrd from the repor, oflhe COMMITTEE To effect this
object he had supported motion made by genlenlan
from Dnchess TO Strike the highway Qualifications with
view adding householder" That motion, after full
discussion bad prevailed by majority OF twenty. But
what was the consequence! The very next day. The
temon thought the highway tax too liberal qualtca-
ton that every person OF tweuiy.sne years OF
having certain term residence, AID excluding actual
pauperS should be permitted for every officer in the
government from the highest 10 The lowest tar outruanne
this particular the other States IN this Unen aud vsrsins
from The ereslricted 10 thai OF universal suffrage
TIE Conventions sensible Oh very great stride which had
been taken by Tie last the next morning referred The