The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1842-05-25

| STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND Providence
PLANTATIONS.
APPROXIMATION =, &
By Thomas w. Dorr, Gouernor and Comnla1s-
der-in- CHEF Of the same. = !.
Fellow-citzens- Shortly after the adjourn
ment of the General Assembly and the COM
p,etion of indispensable executive, business, !
was induced by the request of the most active
friends of our cause to undertake the duty,
which had been previously suggested, of repre-
seIitinr in person the interests of the People OF
Rhode Island in other States, and at the seat OF
the General Government. By virtue of reso.
luton of the General Assembly, / appointed
Messrs. Pearce and Anthony Commissioners for
the same purpose.
OF the proposed action of the Executive in
the affairs of our State you have been already
aoprised. In case. of the failure of the civil
purpose, (Which expression was intended by the
President as have been informed to embrace
the military power) to execute any of the laws
of the Charter Assembly, including their laws
of pains and penalties, and of treason, as it has
been for the first time defined, the President in
Inmates an intention of resorting to the forces OF
the United States, to check the movements OF
the People of this State in support of their Re-
publican Constitution recently adopted.
From a decision which conflicts with the
right of sovereignty inherent in the People OF
this State, and with the principles which lie at
the fountain of Democratic Republic, an ap-
peal has been taken to the People of our country.
They understand our cause; they sympathIze IN
the injuries which have been inflicted upon us;
they disapprove the course which the National
Executive has adopted toward this State; and
they assure us of their disposition and intention
to interpose barrier between the supporters ol
the Peoples Constitution and the hired sodery
of the Uuited States The democracy of the
country are slow to move in any matter which
involves an issue so momentous as that which
is presented by the controversy in Rhode Island.
But when they have once put themselves in mo-
ton, they are not to be easily diverted from
their purposes. They believe that the People
of Rhode Island are in the right; that they are
contending for equal justice in political sys-
TEN; that they have properly adopted Consti-
tuition of government for themselves, as they
were entitled to do; and they cannot, and will
not remain Indifferent to any act from whatever
motive it may proceed, which they deem to be
an invasion of the sacred right of self govern
ment of which the People of the respective
States cannot be divested.
:. AS YOUR representative, have been every
where lreceived with the utmost kindness.and
cordiality. To the People of the city of New
York, who have extended to us the hand OF a
generous fraternity, it is impossible to overrate
our obligation at this most important crisis.
It has become my duty to say, that, so soon as
soldier of the United States shall be set in mo-
ton by whatever direction, to act against the
People of this State, in aid ofthe charter govern
ment, shall call for what aid, to oppose all such
force which, | am fully authorized to say will
be Immediately and most cheeriully rendered
to the service of the People of Rhode Island,
from the city of New York and from other places.
The contest will then become national, and our
State the battle ground of American freedom.
As Rhode Island man regret that the Con-
stitutional question in this State cannot be ad-
iusted amonr our own citizens. But, as the NIL
nority have asked that the sword of the National
Executive may be thrown into the scale against
the People, it is imperative upon them to make
the same appeal to their brethren of the States;
an appeal which, they are well assured, will not
be made in vain. They who have been the first
to ask assistance from abroad, can have no rea-
son to complain Of any consequences which may
ensue.sS&5s
Nofnttlier arrests under the law Of pains and
penalties, which was repealed by the General
Assembly Of the People at their May session, will
be permitted. hereby direct the military un-
der their respective officers promptly to prevent
the same, and to relieve all who may be arrested
under said law.
As requested by the General Assembly, en-
ioin upon the militia forthwith to elect their COM
pany officers; and call upon volunteers to Or
ganize themselves without delay The militia
are directed to hold themselvesin readiness for
immediate service.
Given under my hand, and seal of
II. 81 the State at the city of Providence, this
l6 day of May, A. D. 1912.
THOMAS w. DORR,
Governor and Commander in Chiefofthe State of
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
BY the Governors command,
WILLIAM II. SMITH, Secretary of State.