Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-02-24
From the Now Age OF Jan. IA.
OPINIONS ABROAD.

CHANCELLOR KENT, Of New York, one Of
The most eminent jurIsts Of this country, has
within few days expressed TO citizen of
this State, the following commentator of the
Constitution of Rhode Island. IN Is The b.si
drapn Constitution Ihope seen for many years;
one ofthe best in The United .Staies."
| Similar opinions hive been avowed by Go.
vernorS MoRToN and DAVIS Of Massachu-
set,s, and by other eminent men.
After the appearance Of The above in the
New Age" says the Providence Journal,
and understanding that Chancellor Kent was
IN conversation represented ns having sane.
tioned the revolutionary movement in this
State, q gentleman of this city wrote to
Chancellor Kent and sent him copy Of The
pamphlet addressed "to the members Of the
General Assembly Of Rhode Island" and in.
formed him Of the use which was made OF
his name here by the leaders Of the revolu.
,lonary movement. In reply, Chancellor
Kent says, IN letter to the same gentleman
'My principles are conservative, aud for let
ing well alone, every where and in almost
every thing. The extracts from me in the
pamphlet you send con'an my opinions or
sentiments when uttered them, and | en-
tertain The same sentiment still"
The following are the extracts in the pam
phlel to which Chancellor Kent aludes, as
containing bis present sentiments:
"Thc tendency of universal suffrage is to
jcopardize the rights of property, and the
principles OF liberty. There is constant
tendency in human society, and the history
ot every age propes it, there is tendency ~
,he poor to cuvet and to shnrc the plumber of
he rich; in the debtor to relax or avoid the
obligation of contracts; in The majority to
yanni:c oper the minority, and trampIe down
lheir rights in the indoIent and the profit
gate, 10 cast the whole burden of society
npon the Industrious and the vrtuous and
,here is tendency IN ambitious and wieked
men, 10 infamc these comJusiiJie maierials"
'Thc growth oi the city Of New York is
enough TO s,arllc and awaken those who are
pursuing the igniS fdiuus of universal SUI.
irngc. 1t is rapidly swelling into tho un.
wie!dly population and with the bnrdensome
paupcrlsm of an European metropolis. New
York is destined to become the future Lon
don of America; and in less than a century,
frGge, and under skli!ul direction, will govern
ihls State"
Chancellor Kent, in his Commentaries on
american Law, says:
! "Rhode Island and .Nt,o Jersey are the only
States IN ,hc Union that have brought down
,her Constitutions from 1876 hiumphanhy
against tpery assault The progress and IN
uulse of popular opinion is rapidly DESTROYING
..verv constitutional check, every conserrd-
lire element, intended by the sages, who fra.
med the earliest a american Constitutions, "as
safeguards against the abuses Of popular
suffrage.
Such rapid course Of destruction Of the
Il former constitutional checks, is matter for
grave reflection f; and to couneract the dan.
yerous tendency of such combined forces as
unipersm suffrage frequent elections, all Offices
for short periods, all 9Dicers elective, and an
unchecked press and to prevent them from
racking and destroying our political machines,
the people must have larger share than
usual of that wisdom which is first pure. then
peaceabie, gentle, and easy 10 be entreaied"
As to the opinions avowed by Governor
Morton and other eminent men in reference
to the Free Suffrage Constitution, affirm
nothing, because ! know nothing. In re-
spect to the opinions ascribcd TO Governor
Davis, of Massachusetts, in the "Ncw Age"
Of Jan. H. il is sufficient to add, that, as late
as Feb. Sd, Governor Davis had not even
read the Free Suffrage Constitution
TRUTH.