The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-05-24
PEOPLES PRESS.
Tuesday Morning, May "a, 1912
RHODE ISLAND.


that the legally constituted government of
Rhode Island has sustained itself with u firm
and patriotic resolution. which does infinite
honor 10 Gov. King and his associates in off
ice. We never have believed that the great
body o. the people of this sober little State,
would tamely suffer the supremacy of the Con-
stitution and laws, under whose practical oper-
alton, for two centuries, they have lived and
flourished, 10 be trampled under foot by move
as grossly insurrectionarv as could well be i'm
agined.
Extreme oppression, without the hope of re-
lief by legal and peaceable remedies, Creates
right OF revolution, even by the sword. But
a cursory glance at the state of the people of
Rhode Island, will evince that they were far
from having reached this Ultima thule of un.
mitigaed tyranny. The original constitution
of this State was charter from King Charles
the Second, and said TO be the most liberal one
ofihe oge. This made real estate 10 the amount
Of forty pounds, the qualification Of freeman.
While the State was essential agricultural, the
practical operation of this provision attracted
slight observation. But the increase of the
population, and Of the manufacturing and CON-
mercial interests Of the State, have rendered
this arisiocraiic feature in the constitution
glaring and oppressive. For twenty years re-
peated efforts have been made TO obtain an ex-
tension of the right of suffrage, which have
been defeated through the influence of the obi.
Gus property qualific alton, which is the subject
of complaint.
At length the demands of the people upon
this subject had become so imperative, that in
January, 1871, the legislature passed an act,
calling a invention TO frame constitution, the
delegates to be chosen under n more just and
equal apportionment than had hitherto been a.
dopted in relation to members of the legisla-
ture. This convention met last November, and
framed a constitution which in all respects met
the reasonable expectations Of even the mos
democratic portion of the community. In Oc-
tober previous, however, the suffrage conven-
ton of Dorr and coadjutors met, manufactured
constitution, and having submitted it to the
test ofthe popular voice, as they best could,
claimed majority of those whom it admitted
as voters. 1t had, indeed, no opposing votes,
as none but its advocates deemed it of any le-
gal validity. Within few days subsequently,,
the legal constitution was submitted to the rat
ification of the people, but was unfortunately
defeated by small majority, through the NAL
ignant efforts of DOR and his conductors, who
were determined to fost themselves into the
seats of power by course of proceeding,
which, if sanctioned by the people, or the Cen
eral Government, would PROSTATE the regular
ly cons ttuted authorities ofevery state in the
Union, and convert our country into a scene of
anarchy and bloodshed. The legal constitu-
ton permitted every native citizen who had re-
sued IN the State two years, the right of vot-
ing without ny freehold qualification whatev-
er.
This then is the excessive tyranny in
Rhode Island which the agitators contend will
justify revolution, authorize them to take DOS.
session of the government, by jostling out the
legal functionares, resisting the government
OF the Union, and calling in the aid of
five thousand desparadoes from New York TO
to submit to their audacious usurpations.
The attempts of locofocoism, 10 get up |
sympathy IN favor of proceedings which are
nothing better than rank rebellion AGAINST both
the state and general governments, are char.
acterIstic of the reckless of that party, who
spurn all restraints to the success of Their
vaulting and mercenary ambition. We hone
at least that the moral rectitude of the people
of Vermont will not be perverted into an ap-
proval of procedure which must end in anar.
chy, and eventually overthrow the very liber. I
Iy which it claims TO protect. =
We sincerely rejoice that great portion of
The staid population of Rhode Island, have at r
ength come to the rescue, and have nobly 1
the supremacy of the laws A Il
AR opportunity is now afforded which we have v
10 doubt will be faithfully improved, to crafty s
he almost univer sal wish of the people for s
evision of the constitution, and TO have il &
placed upon a democratic foundation, q
more in conformity with the liberal institutions
# this age and nation. !
We take from the Boston Daily Advertiser 4
# yesterday The annexed particulars;
THE WAR ENDED, AND GOV. DORR "
FLED. IL
An extra from the Office of The Providence III
ournal' and the Evening Chronicle of that CT. S
y oescrioe The very exciting events which oc. III
urea mere Yesterday, and which but for {,
cry remarkable and commendable degree of :,
'roearance OF the authorities ofthe State,coud ~
OF have passed off without The shedding OF Ia
lood. The authorities appear 10 have recciv. to
prompt and unwavering support from that pt