Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-11-09
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We have read with uamingled pleasure the
able. manly and truly democratic message of the
Governor OF Vermont TO the Legislature of that
State. IL is worthy Of a son Of the Green Noun.
iAns. Our only regret is that We must content
ourseye, with single extract, which relates TO the
Rhode Island Insurfecton. !. il Just fearlessly
true and most excellent. We ask for il the depe-
rate, calm and impartial Consideration Of cur rea-
dsrs.
In looking back upon the events of the pas, year.
We find reason 10 be grateful only that we have
escaped the dengers OF 70 egn, but the horror. of
a civil wer. lrcredible Us II may appear IN an age
and country ike ours, but few months have FLAPS
ed, since, almost ~ our own noishbofhood, sons
have been armed against fathers, and brothers
against brothers, and trains OF artillery have been
pointed with deadly intent, while accident hone has
prevented the lighting Of the match which might
hsve ds!Uged our whole county in blood. shud
der 10 think that the spirit Of party has, soon,
and with 80 little cause, involved US IN n scene like
this. The danger we have but Just escaped is the
greatest and most appalling with which We have
been threatened since become a nation. Il was
neither imaginary, nor uncertain in ma gntude. IL
attempted conceal the o5ous features OF rebellion
and assume the more attractive foim Of Unsuitable
revolution. In this disguise !. appeared TO. and en-
listed The sympathes Of those, who mad originally
no concern with u, and was then and not before
that !, -ecsme the cause Of general and well ground
ed alarm. However we may be divided by state
lines when internal or external wars are threaten
cause OF rebellion or revolution 10 single state its
consequences cin nste. be confined within i,s own
limits. They will IL end n ooghottt and and IN.
vove. eventually, every member ofthe ConfeJsrscy.
The flames OF civil not likely 70 be lighted
I'D by rebellion against the general government.
| That has been armed with powers which nre nbun.
dainty sufficient 10 qusll domestic insunecion. But
peaceful state sovereigntes although adth orlss
ed to inAIct the penalties Of treason, are not sufi
Gently provided sgainst tbs oIigencies OF rebe lion
Unless therefore, the general government promptly
nieffeTes, uuder its constitutional power, 10 sop.
press Il, rebellion against our state governments Is
tho mos. probable cause which exists Of geneia
civil war.
Af,er escaping from danger, it is natural to look
bsck, that we may zee how II occurred, and how il
can be avoided for the future. When ths colonies.
which now form the Oldest thirteen States OF tho
Union, separated from the mother country, they
generally adopted written constitutions Of govern
ment with the right Of suffrage or less restrict
Cd, bot IN none Of them universal, and in several
colonial intqusites Of representation we're 2ressrv.
3D. When written constitutions were adopted, they,
in most instances provided modes for theft own a.
| menJnent
Rhode Island, however, ssii.hsd With the exist.
ing form Of government, Old not adopt a Written
constitution. % our separation from Great Britain
therefore, the laws Of the Legislature n that State
became the supreme law, and the power Of gov.
eminent could not be changed without az act o.
the Legislature, or revolution. Any change which
should 70 made however pelcesbiy, unless by iaw
would, Of course, be n revolution, a. II would bt
pulling down the existing government, without III
own consent, and substituting another IN IT, plsee
In all the old States inequalities in the right o
sufi,sge and representation continued 70 exist unsl
tered tl within about twenty years past, unattend
2 ed by serious com plant and certainly rhhout TN
{ thought OF revolution. About that time, IN som
few Of the States, public opinion demanded a change
. and a change wss accordingly made, without diff
5 Guilty a. violence. In other States, where poacsa
bic modes Of altering the constitution are provided
inequalities nearly qoi,s ~ great NJ thoss CON
! planned Of in Rhode Island, have been allowed l.
exist to this day. In Own S'sie even, unshaek
led by The colonial restraints, we voluntarily torn
{ cd and have continued govn'i, whose inequalius
. q representation pfobaby equal 70 those which. b
Rhode Island, were thought 70 justify r. revolution
! and that, too. by the sword. But such revolu
lion ean only be JUSTIFIED when the evils Of govern
fnent have become oppressive and intoletsble, on
% When all hope OF nilder remedies is lost. Sue
vas not the safe Of things IN our sister State, at ID
time portion e her eitz.ns thought proper 10 rails
II the standard Of civil vsr We heard no oomplsini
% Of rnisgoyernment Of the suffering u any por
a ton Of her people. They were 10 full possesso
Of the. sane free government they had always IN
z 'joYed, and Of the civil rights which are Univers