Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1842-06-17
Extracts from the Speech
Of Mr. simmons, Of
Rhode island.

Mr.. Allen. Of Ohio.
Rhode Island may have required
higher evidence of attachment thun
some other States (hough all require
some) 10 enlllle man 10 the privilege
Of freeman or voter within her iurs'
dicllon, and there are sound and sHffi-
clent reasons Tor this. The situation
Of the Stale demanded it. The terrific.
Ty OF the State does not exceed forty
miles square. Ii is surrounded, or near.
ly so, BY The Populous territory of other
States This gives an opportunity for
interference in her affairs by citizens Of
other States residing upon the border
towns, unless she adopts stronger guards
than may be necessary with States Of
larger territory. And. moreover, being
in the vicinity of large and popuous
cities, this high evidence of attachment
and allegiance IS required TO preVent
being controlled in her affairs by ud-
pemtme's and demagogUeS with which
such cities unfortunately abound.
And let me say that this recent al,
tempt to overthrow the, Constitution
and government Of Rhode ISIand origl
mated in one Of those cities (he largest
in the coun,ry.) Publications were made
there, and sent TO and circulated in
Rhode Island, setting forth that there
was not Republican Government there
al the tme when his said Mr. Dorr
had been rejected by the Ireemen as
the candidae Tor Congress A formal
petition was then drawn and prtnted in
New York, and sent TO members Of the
House Of Representatives, making an ap,
peal TO Congress TO pass laws for the
goVernmen; Of our State The erourd
then taken to induce Congress To inter-
fere was, that we were not republicans
III is now carried lutte further, for the
same purpose, by the Senator from
Ohio. His doctrine is, that we have
had no Government at all in Rhode Is
land! The original idea and he pro
Ceeding is the spawn of foreign IN
fluence-a shameless Interference.
will ask the Senate if these circum.
stances which surround the State have
NOT justified, nav demanded, from The
Government Of Rhode island. that The
elective franchise in rhal State Should
be guarded by those higher evidence
of attachment to her n<uuronS tt
which have referred? The Sla't
would have been untrue 30 herself. Il
he. high character and that Of her ci,i
zens. to have neglected so important
safeguard 10 their rights
This higher evidence Of a,tnchmpn,
as have called the additional qualihca
iion required in Rhode Island is III
possession Of a small amount tone hun
dred and thirty four dollars worlh) q
real property within its limits. AND
sir, let me here say that there are man
very good reasons in favor OF such
qualification IN such Sra's. | have
personal knowledge that there is n
great hardshlps in this requirement, 70
| have not inherited any property, anC
BY the saViCgs oI industry in nv mine
ritv, purchased a small real estate III
very first week | was of age. 10 qualil
myself as a voter loWn it still. Il
the most cherished Of the little have
and so lar as depends on my will.
shall be the last | part with. And, |,
me here say, have ALWAYS lived unde
this regulation, and among the peop
OF that State. and have never seen III
young man, who was qualified otherwis
by integrity and intelligence, who con
not command the estate If he wished
vote. All objections on the scare
hardships, so far as my Observations hi
extended, are nominal, rather than rea
Our ancestors knew The value Of III
notion of separate, individual properr
as an early. but permanent step
man in the march Of ciVllZatnn
endeared TO him The country. a part
which he could caIl his 0pn. 1t Great
feeling Of cherished regard TO hon
ilinerant adventnter. And believe
islna good degree owing to that feel
that tho people Of that Sla'e have be,
the earliest to engage in their country
defence.
n
Senators will recolec, that. no'wit
standing the Senator from Ohio decla
ed that he neither had nor felt any
terest in the matter ha was presenirl
and pursuing. vet, as no went on.
triumphan,Iy fourlshed efore The Sc
ate a handblIl, ling upon the nh
bilonts of city Of another State
meet. and send armed men to cut dov
tho clizens Of ours! | thank God 4
man who exn'tingiy presented this
an American Senate 10 one who has
shildrep!