Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-05-06


that the same instrument also recognizes no
distinctions between "c,izens," but, pointing
to the Declaration Of Independence, the princi-
pies Of which it was designed to carry into ef-
feet, it guarantees 10 all citizens equal privi.
leges aud imnniiies who are liable to equal du-
ties and burdens, and therefore, as necessary
consequence, the s.ciizens Of the U. Sta,es,"
whose permanent residence is in Rhode Island,
are the illegal people" Of the State. Of course
you will understand males, in both cases, over
tweniy-one years Of age to be such illegal peo-
ple."
The suffrage party all contend that previous
to the Declaration Of Independence. July 4,
l776, the State of Rhode Island was but COL
ony Of Great Britain. owing allegiance TO the
king of that country as its sovereign head, and
possessing and enjoying no civil and political
rights but sue h as were granted BY His Maj
esty Charles the Second that by the Revolu
ton the throne was in effect declared vacant.
and tho sovereign power wrested by conquest
from the king and transferred to the people.
where it has remained ever since that since
the Revolution, the throne. so 10 speak, has
been flied by the people themselves; that they
have become the fountain power and the exec
utors Of their own sovereign will, and Of course
are not obliged to apply to the landholders,
who are merely minority Of the citizens, for
the exercise Of their soverign rights.
On the other hand, the landholders admit
that the sovereignty was wrested from the King,
but contend it was transferred to themselves
and their eldest sons, where it has remained
and SO must remain during their pleasure. they
having been ia possession Of tho government
ever since the Revolution.
The suffrage party contend that. in accord
ance with the principles established by the
Revolution, nii gu-vrnn,o". L.. ~s,A~ei.. nf
of the sovereign power created to promote the
public good, and can be reformed. altered, and
changed when the sovereign power requires.
That the present government Of Rhode Island
never originated from the whole people, or has
ever been presented to them for approval, or
has ever been sanctioned by thers, by any for
NAL vote, either Of their own accord, or from
any request or act Of the legislature; and yet
for sixty-six years and upwards. they have
quietly and peaceably submitted, and obeyed
its laws and mandates, as much so as II had
been government Of their own choice and ma
king. That, therefore, the present govern
ment Of the state is, from its very nature and
organization. provisional government" in
| form like the old government under the king,
but in power self-created and self-sustained.
| They admit it ought so to continue until anoth-
er form is provided by tho whole people. But
they contend further, that notwithstanding the
present government has existed for 80 long
| time, the people have lost nothing by their
peaceable submission, for sovereignty loses
nothing by time" agrecsbly TO the maxim Of
law: whatever rights, therefore, the people ac-
quired at the Declaration Of Independence, Ju-
~ 4, l776, and by the adoption of the Consti-
tuition Of the United States, they now hold un-
diminished.
The land holders deny this. They deny
that the present is provisional government.
They admit that in form il is like the govern
ment under the king. But they claim that
the charter Of Charles is still binding, as mnch
SO as if it had been adopted by formal vote
ct the people; and, as they are in possession
OF the government. it can only be altered or
changed by their permission. Pc, contra, the
der the king was corporation only. granting
the privilege Of transacting the business Of the
"Governor and Company tina: when the
throne was declared vacant by the declaration
OF Independence, the "charter'' ceased to
have any legal existence-as much so, as any
charter Of incorporation granted by Congress
would, in case Of a total dissolution Of the u
MON. Their doctrine is, that when sover-
eign grantor of a corporate franchise ceases to
exist, the franchise itself ceases. That corpo-
rate power may be compared to "Power Of
Attorney" which ceases to give any author-
~ to ACT. after the death of the principal. or
maker. No one, say they. would pretend that
the incorporation of the Bank Of the United
States, for instance, were it now in being,
would have any power or vitality, for mo-
meht, after the dissolution Of the Uuion, for
this plain reason-that such corporation must
draw all its strength and life from that foun-
tain OF power; and that fountain being dried
up, the streams must cease also. In legal
sense, this was the fate Of the charter of Chas.
But the people Of this state were too polite to
consider the death Of the charter, or the sepa-
ration from the mother country. as dissolu-
ton Of the social compact, bot wisely chose
to consider all laws as remaining in full force,
just the same as if no death Of the charter or
separation had taken place; and they have quiz
ely acquiesed to be governed BY minority
ever since. but contend they have lost no rights
BY SO doing.
But the people, say the suffrage party, have
now CHOSEN to assume their own rights. They
have declared that this provisional government
must give way TO another. and have caused
such proceedings TO be had that another form
has been made and adopted by ! great maiori-
y Of the illegal people," which mus. hereaf-
Tor % tho supreme law Of the State. The