Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-03-10
From the Providence Journal.

The following CircuIa, has been sign
ed by large number of our most re-
spectacle citizens, in town and country
without distinction Of party. A few OF
their names are appended, and the whole
will be published, with the Circular, in
few days.
MARCH 4, l842.
SiR,-The present, is moment nious
crisis, in tho affairs of our State. A
Convention of the Delegates of the
People, legally assembled, has framed
with extraordinary unanimity, and in h
spirit Of magnanImous compromise, u
Constitution, for the government OF
Rhode Island. This Constitution is to be
submitted to the People for their ratifica.
ton or rejection, on Monday, Tuesday,
and Wednesday, the 2ls,, 22d, and 23d
of March, ensuing. Permit us, your
friends aud fellow citizens, having, with
you, common interest in the prosperity f,
honor and peace Of our State, TO &C
quaint you frankly, with our views IN
relation to the present crisis, and to the
solemn obligations which it imposes on
all good citizens IL labor, in season aud
out of season, for the adoption of the
proposed Constitution.
That Constitution, we repeat, wns
framed in spirit OF compromise. While
il makes provision for most liberal eX-
tension of the right of suffrage, and So.
cures a substantial equality, 10 the dis
tribuiion Of power, in the House of Rep
resentatives, It protects, by the organi-
cation Of the Senate, the minority from
oppression, and it endows the agriculu-
raj interest with means of saving itself
from utter proslralion. Nay, more the
conservative organization of the Senate,
will impart to the whole Government, Il
principle of stability, and II spirit Of mod
ernthn, and OF economy, which VIII be
found to operate most beneiiclally on all
the great interests Of The Siate-to pro-
mote harmony among our people, aud 4"
give our fellow clIizrns, IN other Sta,es,
some pledge that Rhode Island institu-
iions are not to become the prey OF sue
cessive factions.
The proposed Constitution is in your
hands. Mark, sir, the iberallty with
winch it extends the right of suffrage !;
aud mark, too, the wise caution with
which, in certain cases, II qualities the
exercise OF that right. lhis lmpor-
tant aud truly embarrassing question has,
IN our Judgment, been most harmonious
ly aud satisfactorily settled.
The proposed Constitution, we are
convinced, ought to he adopted, aud n.
dopted too, by an overwhelming MAORI
ty. To secure result so auSpciOus,
nothing is wanting but systematic, zeal
Gus aud unwearied efforts. Suffer US,
therefore, to press upon your attention
the Importance of such an immediate or
ggnzalIon OF the friends OF the COnslI-
tuition in your town as will render victory
inevitable.
The most strenuous efforts are making
and will be made, TO defeat the Consll-
tuition. In order To counteract these ei-
forts, every citizen, who values the wei
fare OF the State, and desires To main.
tain the supremacy of the laws, is bound
10 devote himself To the good work which
is now given hlm To do. Never before,
in the history Of Rhode Island, did such
dangers threaten our peace. Never be.
lOTe, WI tHc UIstOTy VI tNHouc isIdlu, u'u
any occasion make SO imperative ana
solemn demand upon our Jealous anc
patriotic eudcayOrs.
IE conclusion, allow US 10 repeat, that
every thing depends upon thorough or
ganizalion, and upon persevcring and IN
trepld effort. Let not an illegal vote tno
its way into the ballot box Let every
man contribute whatever he can, OF time
and talent, and influence, TO the good
Cause and the issue will bo glorious
triumph of the primo pies of law and oI
order A commanding majority OF the
whole people will ordain and estab-
lish the proposed constitution as the su'
premc law of the land.
We are, very respectfully,
Your friends and fellow citizens,
James Fenncr, John Brown Francis,
Richmond Bullock, Nathan Brown,
John P,lman, Nehemiah r. knight
Amasa Sprague, Elisha NIathewson,
John Rowland, Edward Darlington,
Josiah Westcoit, Daniel Mathewson,
John IL. Clarke, William jenkins,
Sam'l Boyd Tobey, Sylvanus G. Martin,
William Wilkinson, William Sheldon,
Albert &. Greene, Stephen Branch,
Lcmuel II, Arnold, &c. &c.