The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1842-04-14
TROUBLE BREWING IN RHODE is.
LAND.-CIVIL WAR APPREHENDED

LAND.-ClVlL w An AIfhE1 Elm DED.
Our readers are aware that the people of
Rhode Island have for some time past been
struggling 10 free themselves from restrictions
Of a klngly charter, and TO adopt constitution
more in accordance with free principles and
human rights. Two constitutions have rec
emily been submitted 10 their choice--one Of
them, authorized by the legislature, is similar
in principle TO the charter Of Charles the Sec
ond, and makes prcperty,-land, houses and
jackasses- qualification necessary for Cit
,zenship and participation in the affairs of
State. The second constitution has been pre-
pared by a convention authorized by the peo-
pie, without regard TO a property qualification
and has been carried by decided vote Of the
freemen of the Stale. The land holders have
therefore one constitution and the people an
other, and the difficulty is in settling The ques-
ton under which constitution the affairs Of the
State shall be administered hereafter. In con
sequence OF this trouble the political affairs in
Rhode Island are approaching an alarming crl.
sis, and blood may flow before the State is re-
stored 10 it's usual repose.
On the second of A April, the legislature pas
sed an act, entitled ian act in relation TO Of
fences against the sovereign power Of this
State which has given great umbrage to large
portions Of The people. 1t provides that no per-
son shall hold any county or township Office,
contrary to the existing laws, under high pains
and penalties; that any one who shall signify
his willingness TO acceptefa nomination under
any pretended new constitution, shall be i'm
prisoned one year and fined two thousand dol.
lars, and that all persons who shall act in any
legislative Judicial or ministerial office, under
such constitution, shall be deemed guilty of
| treason, and imprisoned for life. These pro.
| visions are directed at the friends of what is
called the Peoples Constitution.
As matter fcourse such proceedings have
provoked most determined resistance on the
part of those who are detlrmned to be no lon
ger "hewers of wood and drawers Of water"
under The rod o aristoCrats and tyranls.
The Providence Express of Monday says,
this law so barbarousy introduced, and so
rapidly buried through The legislature, can
never be enforced; but its authors may adopt
the style OF an ancient martyr and exClaim we
have this day kindled such torch IN Rhode
Island, a. shall never be eXlinguished!''
a letter to The editor of the New York Ev-
eniug Post speaks in much stronger terms. |,
says, ifa single person, acting under the new
constitution, s imprisoned, I'VE shall open the
prison doors forthwith. We havetwo thous-
and men. a, least, pledged 10 defend, al all
hazards, the lives, persons, and properties oI
our candidates. Two thousand men In Smith
field and Cumberland are ready for every EN-,
ergency.
The Governor ofthe Stale has issued orders
10 the Iudependant Charter Companies to re.
port Immediately 10 the Adjnlant- General, the
numbe, ofmen fl for duty, and the quantity o
arms and ammunition on hand. The friends
Of the new constitution on the other side are
rapidly furnishing themselves Uith arms.
We shall not be surprised TO hearvery soor
that Rhode Island was up in strife, and lha
bloody fiaernaI war was spreading its We
and desoaon. Mind however, should spc
must triumph over matter! Man, himself anc
moi his .jdckdSS, must be the test of represen.
talion and free suffrage.
| --E
FITTINe OUT.-Ihe Norfolk Beacon says
the U. s. Frigale Constitution is fitting fo
aea with all nosihle desnairb II ;s said khI