The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-08-04

gallant and patriotic State had Charie
derived from British King, in operation
between one and Two hundred years.
There had been epgralied upon It's law:
and osages from time TO time, and altogeth
err PRACTICAL Constitution sprung up, which
carried the State as ole of the glorious ihlr
teen through the Revolution and brought
her safely into the Union. Under it her
Greens and Perrvs, and other distinguished
men we're born and rose 10 emnence. The
Legislature had called a Convention to
remedy whatever defects il had, and 10
adapt it to the progressive improvements OF
the age. In that work of reform the Dorr
party nigh, hare coropera,ed but, not
choosing SO TO CO operate, aud 10 wanton
defiance of oil established authority, they
undertook subsequently, to call another
Convention. The result was two Consil-
luions, not essentially differing on the
principal point Of controversy, TIE right OF
suffrage.
Upon submitting TO the People that which
was formed by the regular Convention, a
small majority voted against ii, produced
by union in casting votes between the
Dorr party, and some friends of the old
Charter, who were opposed TO any change.
The other Constitution, being also submit
ted 10 the People, an apparent majority vo.
ted for it, made up of every description Of
votes, legal end illegal, by proxy and other
wise, taken in the most irregular and unau-
ihorized manner.
The Dorr party proceeded to put their
constitution IN operation, by electing him
as the Governor of the State, members TO
the mock Legislature and other officers
Bu, they did no, stop here they proceeded
10 collect, TO drill, and TO marshal militia
ry force and pointed their cannon against
the Arsenal OF The State.
The President was called upon to inter
pose the power of the Union to preserve the
peace OF the State, IN conformity with an
express provision of the Federal Constitu
ton. And have as much pleasure in ex
pressing my opinion that he faithfully per
formed his duty, IN responding TO iha, call
as It gave the pain 20 be Obliged 10 animal
yer, on other parts of his conduct.
The leading presses of the Democratic
party at Washington, Albany, New York
and Richmond, and elsewhere, came out in
support of the Dorr party, encouraging
them in their work, of Rebellion and Trea.
son. And when matters had got TO a crisis
. aud the two parties we're preparing for a
+ Civil War, every hour it was expected &c
blaze out, great Tammany meeting was
held in the City Of New York; headed BY
the leading men Of the party, The Cambre
lengs, the Nanderpoels, the Aliens, &C.,
with a perfect knowledge that the military
power OF the unon was 10 be employed, il
necessary, to suppress the instruction, and,
notwithstanding, they passed resolutions
tending TO awe the President, and to coun.
tenance and cheer the Treason.
/ Fortunately, numbers of the Dorr party
abandoned their Chief: he fed, and Rhode
Island, unalded by any actual force of the
Federal authority, proved he rsef able
alone TO maintain law, order and govern.
ment within her borders
| do not attribute TO my fellow citizens
here assembled, from whom differ 10 opin.
ION, any disposition 10 cou- 'endnce the Re
yoluionary proceeding 10 Rhode Island
J do not believe that they approve it. | do
not believe that their party generally could
approve IT, nor some Of the other examples
Of spirit Of disorganlzatlon which have
enumerated; but the misfortune is, in times
OF high party excitement, that the leaders
commit themselves, and finally commit the
body Of their party, who perceive that un-
less they stand BY and sustain leaders, a
division and perhaps the destruction Of the
party would be the consequence. OF all
the springs Of human action, party ties are
perhaps the most powerful.
Interest has been supposed 10 be more so,
but party ties are more influential, unless
they are regarded as modification Of i'm.
asluary interest. Under their sway, we
have seen not only individuals but whole
communities abandon their long cherished
interests and principles. aud turn round
and oppose them with violence.
Did not the Rebellion 10 Rhode Island
find for It's support precedent established
by the majority in Congress, in the lrregu
lar admission Of Territories, as States, into
the Union, to which | have heretofore al
luded Is there not reason TO fear tina, the
example which Congress had previously
presented, encouraged the Rhode Island
Rebellion.
II has been attempted 10 defend the re-
beIlion upon the doctrines of the American
Declaration Of independence, bot no couu
tonance TO it can be fairly derived from
them That Declaration asserts, i, is true,
that whenever Government becomes des.
sirucllve Of the ends Of life, liberty and the
pursuit Of happiness, for the security OF
which il was instituted, il is the right Of the
People TO alter or abolish IT, and institute
new government and so undoubtedly il is.
But this is right only to be exercised iD
grave aud extreme cases. Prudence IN.
deed will dictate, says that veneraled iBs,ru.
ment, " hat Governments long established
should not be changed for light aud tran
sent causes" :" But when long train of
abuses aad usurpatIon, pursuing invariably
the same object, evinces design to reduce