The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-12-30

that tender consideration for human life which ev-
or marks The advocate Of human rights, the great
body of the people chose 10 roreso for a season
their right rather than nainlain,an j, against The
combined powers Of the charter parry and of the
general government, by the bulchery oiiher hreh-
rcn; whereas time and The progress of opinion had
no hopes in Store for The hndllodcrs' government.
lis powor being upon The speedy a'b,ramcnt of
the sword; and 10 that il uppeacd. "Onier reigns
IN Wursuw!'- and ''ordr: rcigns" in Rhode Is
land with the most noble of her citizens in CHAINS
and and punishment, hunted under the impeach-
mcnt Of high treason, from sta;e To state, for hdy
ing dolcd 10 assert the doctrine Of popular sove-
rcgnly--lor having dared obedience to their God
by resistance To toranny
The Undersigned, therefore, do not accord with
his EXcellency, that it is in any wise true, that
the people oiRhode Island soush, TO effect "revo-
Luton by The sword" nor can we agree with his
EAceency in condcmnng their efforts Tor freedom,
because "lhey were in possession ollhe some free
gOrcrhmca" (sii0nge mlSnomcrO"lhat they had
always" nor because denial of the yi,al princ-
pie Of repubicanisnl-in the charter government
an utter disfrarchisement of The great majority Of
the people, and their degradation politically and
clviy MS an inferior cast, 'were all the evils
complained Of
The argument of His EScellcncy, that, because
the inequalities of rep esenarn in the Senate of
the United States and IN the Legislature Of this
State might not justify revolution BY the sword,
therefore, the people Of Rhode Island cannot JUS.
liiy the revelation Of their government in the way
in which they elected it, IN The opinion of The nm
drrSigncd, Is Il most erroneous conclusion. II is
enough 10 say, that, in the instances supposed, The
people here expressly bound themselves by such
contract, and if ii does not now suit ihcm they are
ut all times at liberty To remedy the supposed evil
in that manner which their contract specified In
such case the consciencc-bi binding obligation Of Il
contract may attach, But when, and by what in
dcnlurc did the disrranchisod lwo-lhilds Of the
people of Rhode Island, held and treated as in
competent to contract, bind themselves IN servilude
to The remaining third' By what compact was il,
that the people had surrendered their "nnlicnahle
and indefeasblc right To reform or alter govern
mcnt in such manner as they ns int deem most
conducive to their safety aud hnppncsS:" New
or; the people have not in any form yielded their
assent to the charter government Of that State.
Ihc'undersisned lnrbear expressing any opinion
in relation 10 the inequality Of representation found
AT present existing, under our national government
in the Senate Of the United States, inasmuch MS
his xrcllency his not advised the Legislature Of
this State 10 interfere with the constitution OF the
L. $, regulating that body.
The undersigned canno! agree with his Exrcl-
lcncy, "ihlr the state sovereignlirs ac not suIl-
ricnllv provided against the cxigcncicS Of rebel
hon." or that they ought to be earned with any
lar.er "powers To Quell domestic inSurrcctlnn"--
The undersigned believe, That "ihc penalties for
'rcds,n," the civil power af the State with author
ily 10 call out The cili2eh sOidrry thereof bat
most Of all The patriotism and intelligence which |
that people to whom are accorded
free Institutions, constitute e'cry lawful or dcsn
bile safe. guard against "insurrecIinn" and "rebcl- |
lioA." WHY should people reject in whom is !
secured all their .ighl>' If no, so acknowledged |
md secured, how much better for the government
to do Justice than to take the swold!
Entertaining these views the undersigned would
no, recommend any legislative enactment in this
Slnlc, or other cypcdcnl TO increase the "powcr"
Of the government rs "pro,sinn against the cx-
gcncics of rebellion" cOnrcying il quite safe 10
rust 10 the virtue and intelligence Of the people
lint they will not rebel agnlns, their own Cavern
ncni, if it shall do them no wrong. The under
signed canno, agree with his Excelcncy in the
sighting consideration with which he seems 10 re-
,,Id "mcrc theories about government and polili-
raj rights" \ lawful government, il founded up
M lhcory-a "thcory Of rights" inherent in man
niclcasblc and inulicnuhlc. And the undcrsign-
ed cannot bu, esteem il highly proper for the e.
rcnivc ofn free government, TO rccur often aud
mbi,uny 10 this simple theory us rule whereby
10 square his policy, II touch stone whercwh 10
Try his rcpublcanism. From this "theory" the
Undersigned evolve the accompanying resolutions,
which they recommend TO this house for their con.
,Idcralon.
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
G. b, HARRINGTON, }Minory
DANIEL COBB, Comm.
Resolved, "Thai the basis of our political sys.
ems il the right Of the people 10 make aud alter
heir form Of government"
IFnsiiagioq's .flrcweN address,
Resolved, T'ha, the people of Rhode Island had
'an innlienable, indahitablc and iudcfrasbe right
o reform or alter their government In Such man
7rf AS by them judged mos, conducicc To the pub
nc veal" Consultation o. I'crmonL
Resolved, That this WAS ga right Of which 10
DoSsirc Institutions could deprive them"
JUDGE WILSON.
Resolved, That the adoption of II constitution by
ha people of Rhode Island in December, 1871,
was the "approbalon of The Supreme authority"
IN the state aud "blottcd ont all unlcccdent errors
md inequalities" (il amy in lis proposal; and that
constitution of the State Of Rhode Island
JAMES MADISON.
Resolved, That the Hon. Thomas w. Dorr, du-
y elected under said constitution in April, 1872, rs
Governor of Rhode Island, thereby bccare was
and is the lawful Governor thereof