The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-06-03

appointments Tor the time TO aid in the Defence
The officers were directed to place their men II
the proper stations to protect the artillery; and sly
guns, the agreed signal for rally at head quar-
ters, were fired al seven o'clock. The failure Of
the attempt upon the arsenal was IL cause of mo-
mentary dlscOuragement; but our men at head
quarters soon revcvered from it, and | had nc
doubt that, upon the reassembng of their com
pan'ons by the signal guns, such an attack would
be prevented, or that successful resistance would
be made to all the forces that could be brought
against our position. But, contrary to my eSpcc-
tatcns, a few only of our friends in the course OF
the hour ensuing, responded to the call which had
been made upon them.
A principal cause Of their absence, was as il
afterwards appeared, the publication of hand
bill bearing the names of two Senators, and OF nine
Representatives olthe city ofProvidencc, Gall who
had not before resigned y in which they resigned
their offices, protested against the employment OF
force by the President against the people, and al
so condemned my proceedings as "dcplorable'
and " destructive to the cause in which we have
been engaged" This handful was widely circu-
lated among our friends throughout the city, 1t
was headed d" Resignation of all the officers I'M
der the Peoples Constitution" The course which
the Signcrs had seen fit to adopt was made known
TO me at clock, in letter written by Col. Sam
ucl II, Wales, dated May, 18th, 1912, and sign
ed by him and by Eli Brown, William Coleman,
f. l.. Becklord and John A. Rowland, all signers
of the handful. They stated that the Senators
and Representatives had determined to resign in
stantly, that they disapproved of my proceedings,
and that their men would not act against their own
citizens
The difficulty ofmy position was also increased
by the general circulation of the report, originating
as supposed, with our opponents, that all contro-
vcrsics had been settled by II compromise hOnora-
bic to both parties, for which there was no iounda-
ton in fact Some of the friends of the Peoples
Constitution were deceived by it, and aided in ex-
tending it. 1t is hardly necessary for me to repeat
thu, have neither made nor attempted to make
compromise of your Constitution, or your rights
had neither the ability, from the powers confer
red upon me, nor the disposition, 10 make such Il
compromise, Without claiming for the Peoples
Constitution any exemption from the defects which
belong 10 all human institutions, have steadily
kept in view the great principle of American De-
moCracy involved in this caso-tho tight of the
majority the whole people to change their form
Of government, without the permission or consent
Of existing authorities, II this principle fail now |
am not the author Of the sacrifice.
You will readily appreciate the painful RESPONSE
by which rested upon me- at the point OF time
which have mentioned, of deciding the course
which duty required Of ne.
hid endCNyorcd to bear up with becoming
spirit against all the power and influence Of our
opponents; but our movements were now para vs.
ed by our friends, most Of whom, six days before,
had united in the solemn determination of the mass
meeting, to which have alluded, TO defend their
Chief Magistrate at all events. Some of them dis
approved Of the military operation proposed on
Tuesday evening; but the FIST information of an
open opposition and general resignation was re-
cciyed by me, MS already stated on "Wednesday
morning, To this must add that, before the re-
ceipt of Col. Wales letter, Mr. Anthony requested
me not TO make his house the scene of a hostile
encounter.
Nearly one hour and half had now elapsed from
the firing Of the signal guns and onr ranks had
been increased by but few additions from the city
or country About 60 men of all arms, including
the artclsts, ms nearly us could ascertain, were
now AT the head quarters. That those who re-
manned would have sacrificed their lives To man
for my protection, | did no: doubt, and their sub
scqucnt conduct rllly confirmed their sincerity.
cannot express the feelings of grateful obligation
which entertain towards these brave and noble
men. They could not have been mastered by
their opponents without great destruction of lllG;
and they would have fallen in the end before Il
superior force of 500 strong deemed il my duty,
under all the circumstances not To ask this snCrl-
fee at their hands called 10 me the Colonel in
command and communicated TO him the state of
affairs. His reply was " the men aIc leaving us"
directed him to fall back with his command, or
to give such other order M circumstances might
require AT half past o'clock, and with re-
get for which there are no words, ] Withdrew
from the head quarters TO the town Of Cuulbcr-
land. OF subsequent events you are well IN
formed.
In the assurance that have never compromised
your rights, and have returned 10 friends and OPP
ponens . uniform reply, adverse TO the abandon
mcnt Of the principles of popular sovereignty and
of equal rights involved in the support If your Con-
stitulion, allow me to add, that have never COM
promised my own right 10 serve your cause. lIay-
ing sincerely devoted to that cause all the abilities
possess, and having in your service sustained
the loss of all things but honor, may safely COM
init TO you, fellow citizens, my yindcation from all
unjust or nngenerous imputations, either upon my
motives or conduct.
cannot conclude this communication without
reminding YOU that your Constitution, being loun-
ded in right and Justice. cannot he oycrlhrown by
future Of AIMS, or BY the resignation Of those
elected to office under il and that the duty to main
tain it has not been effected by recent events.
] have addressed 10 YOU nothing in the spirit Of
accusation or ofcensurc; and my sole object has
been 10 place before YOU the facts which have &C.
CURED, that they may receive the impartial judy
mcnt of my poor fellow citizens, and Of all who
have expressed an intcreS; in the cause and the
rights of the people of Rhode Island.
THOMAS W. DORR.
May 2ls,, 1912.