Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-06-02
From the Norwich Courier.
THE REAL QUESTION ATISSCE
IN RHODE ISLAND.

II There is clearly very great misappre-
hension among large number of reo-
Pile in this city AS well as in other cities,
as to the real question now at issue in
Rhode Island. by many it Is supposed
that it is simply whether the right of
suffrage shall be extended to very large
portion OF the citizens Of that State who,
under the existing Government, can have
no voice in the Government. Ii il sup
posed that what the Free Suffrage Party
with Dorr at their head, are strugg ling
for, is simply and solely liberal and
equitable extension ofihe righi of suffrage
But such is NOTTHE QUESTION:
No sensible man, who is at all inform
ed on this subject will venture to say
that such is the question. What then
IS the true question ? II is in few words
this = Shall those who are demanding an
eriension Of The right of Suffrage be per-
"tiited to acquire II bg a process mhich
VIOLATES THE LAWS and tram
pies upon he Constitution Of The Slate, OF
shall they be inrest.d mith his right in u
LEGAL FORM AND MANNER p
THIS Is the sum and substance oCthe mhole
question.
The Charter Party framed, by n con-
vention, called together for taat express
purpose, Constitution more liberal than
that under which the citizens of Con-
necticut live-a Constitution which ad-
mlted TO the right Of suffrage every ma
tive American who should have resided
in the state for two years previous TO the
election Mt which he offered himself as
a voter. No property quail fcofion mhat-
erer was required and in other respects
the Instrument was as liberal and free as
the most ultra could desire. Yet did the
Suffrage Party accept it f.? The rery first
pofe which the men who were claiming
for themselves the right Of Suffrage, ever
gave on that question when presented to
them in legal form, was given A
GAlNST that ight. And why Was
it because this protlered Constitution did
not concede to them all which they ask
ed or desired This was not the reason.
The leaders in that party asserted, az ain
and again, in the most oper and distinct
manner, that they "would not accept a
Constitution from the Charter govern
mcnt even though it were word 1or mord
and letter tor letter, the same with that
which has been framed and adopted bv
the Suffrage Party" themselves.
Under these circumstances there is
not an intelligent man in the community
who can fail TO see that the contest which
is now going on in Rhode Island is not
struggle for the extension Of Me right Of
suffrage. The legal voters Of Rhode
lsand-those who control the charter
Governme nt-are, by an overwhelming
majority, in )aror of such an extension.
That question is not, now, up for decision
But the question is, shall body of men,
acting without law and in direct contra
vention of all law, be permitted to usurp
the supreme authority Of the State g.
Because the end aimed at is lawful and
right, shall they be permitted to march to
it through slaughter and blood, instead OF
reaching it by peaceable means, when
those means are within their very reach
may, even urged upon their acceptance.
The question is one OF trcme ndous inn
port and upon the practical answer which
it receives in Rhode Island, hang conse-
qucnces, for good or for evil, which no
human mind can compute.