The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-05-20
From the Nep Era Of May, IA.
IMPORTANT FROM RHODE ISLAND.

From the Nep Era Of May, IA.
IMPORTANT FROM RHODE ISLAND.
The excitement in this State increases every hour
and but for The iorbearance and good sense display
cd by the COnstllutonallsts-ihe people-lhe con-
tending parties must have come to blows long since
Blu, Tolerance may cease 10 be u virtue, and il a
people were ever justified in using force to secure
those rights which nature and nalule's God ell
title heu,--the oppressed and charter ridden in
habitan,s Of Rhode Island ave tha. people. And
RIGHTS, EQUAL LAWS, AND EQUAL JUS
TiCE mus, and will prevail. LIE, the adnnaisra-
ton of the General Government beware how they
bring upon themselves the executions Of an out
ragged people. We speak advisedly when we say
that the tide ofpubc opinion which was evidently
setting in favor Of the President, is rapidly reced-
ing, and the very men who but short time ago
We're willing 10 lay aside all party predictions and
sustain the administration Of the country have been
urged buck to their former parizan zeal for popu-
lar rights, and of course utterly and detern,lnedly
hostile to the President at the general tone ohl'
letter to the Charter Governor Of Rhode Island. lie
should be the Judge also Of the extent Of this feel
ing-he should know that it extends from one end
of The Union to the o,her-lhaI there is not a
Democratic paper in the whole country that does
not sustain the peoples cause-;hat does not insist
upon the peoples rights, and that the present
Charter Government must give away to the Con-
slItullOn which the people have by 50 large n ma
jorily adopted United with them on this question
are many Wing prints In fact the people are ready
to crush the administration, or the party who
should dare take any steps 10 put dOwn so popular
and so righteous II movement.
That the sons of Rhode Island nre more than
ever determined to secure their jus, rights, and
maintain The Constitution at all ha:ard, may be
seen from the following. which we take from the
Express of yesterday:
"a mass meeting is now assembled in the Court
House Parade, numbering from four IL six ihuus-
and persons.
81, is one Of the largest meetings ever held in
this city, aud has come together at few hours
notice. to hear n report from Washington.
"lhe following resolutions we've passed unani-
mously:
"Rcsolved, That we will submit to no compro-
mise that has not for its basis an acknowledgment,
that the ultimate source Of all political and sOve-
reign power rests in ,hc whole adult male citizens
Of The State and that no action Of the legislative
authority is or Of right can be necessary TO say
when or how that ultimate sovereign powe: may
be exercised.
"Resolved. That we will maintain these prin-
cipes, as those purchased with the blood and coun-
Gil Of our fathers of &c, to the last.
"Resolyed, That we believe the inen, for which
the Algerine law was enacted, was to provke an
outbreak; and that all action Of the tyrans under
it has been to spill the blood Of the people; thai
we regard said law tyranlca act of an expiring
despolsm, designed 10 yoad and sacrifice the peo-
pc and in fact, that it is an open and avowed dec
luraon Of war.
"Resolved, That should another attempt BE-
made to arrest an individual under the law, we
hereby pledge ourselves in the most solemn man
ner, to shield such person from arrest. and if ar
rested or Sidnapped, to rescue him from the de-
mon who may pretend 10 hold him in custody, an,
to Immediately visit such retrbuve Justice TO the
offenders as the enormity Of their crimes may de.
mand.
"Resovcd. That we will support, protect and
defend Governor Thomas W. Dorr, to the last
thai, we will neither surrender him to the malice o
his opponents, nor will we ever forget the firm
ness and wisdom, as well as moderation, which
has marked his bearing to u.s. and TO his opponent,
during all this excited War for Liberty"
In speaking Of the proIered meditation Of Con-
neclcut in the affairs Rhode Island, and the con-
,emptuous manner with which the aris,ocrats OF
landlords party receive it, the Post says, one o
the worst features in this affair, is the contempt
with which the landlords party repel the idea o
meditation and accommodation. They are read,
to listen to no compromise. They assume the Ian
guuge Of absolute government; they talk of the al
legilnce and obediance which the misguided peo.
ple owe Them, and insis, that the minority shall
give up their constitution, land return 10 their
duty as good citizens"
If the contemptuous rejection Of the friendly Of
fees Of The State of Connecticut, which is for
shadowed in this extract from the Providence,
Journal, shall actually take place, the landlords
party will have reason to repent Of their folly
The State OF Connecticut already partakes Of tn,
agitation Of the Rhode Island question, and nolh
ing but such an insoent repuse is wanting TO CIV
. il n more decided character. In that case. fifth
contest should unhappily proceed 10 force, and III
il.advised experiment of calling out the Federu
troops to FIRE upon the citizens should be made
il the administration should add that rash act 10 tn
, imprudence Of which il has been already guilty
the ranks Of those who defend the rights Of III
, people in Rhode lslurd will be instantly swelle
, BY volunteers from beyond her border.
The extract from the Providence Journal, an
: swers the question so often asked, why the tw
parties in Rhode Island, both professedly in fave
0 Of an extension Of the right Of suffrage. cannc
b. come to peaceable adjustment Of the difficultie
II is because Of this arrogant spirit, this assumpto
: of authority over the mass, which in6sposes tn
landlords party to admit Of any compromise.
: i. because if the misguided people twill return
= their duty as good citizens" no compromise