Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-01-20


Legislature, respecting tho Suffrage
proco cdings.-We understand, howev-
er, that some decided course will speed
lily be adopted in relation to the illegal
movements ofthat party. In the mean
time, we would commend to the candid
perusal Of every one, the following ar
ticlo, which appeared in the Providence
Journal Of yesterday.
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GEN
ERAL ASSEMBLY OF RHODE
ISLAND. -
GENrLEMEN,-You are called, dur
ing your present session, to tho dis
charge ola responsible duty. As a fell
low citizen, deeply interested in the re-
suit, allow me to trespsss, for few mo
ments, on your attention. The mat
ter requires but n very brief discussion.
You have in the exercise Of your con-
stitutional authority. called upon the
people Of this State to appoint delegates
to a Convention to form a Constitution
for this State. The labors Of this Con-
vention have not yet terminated. In
tho meantime, number Of persons,
how many ! caro- not, without shadow
Of law, and, in their own language,
"against law" have appointed dele
gates, and formed a Constitution
They have allowed whom they chose to
vote for it. These votes have been re-
ceived by persons Of their own appoint
ment. They claim to have a majority
Of the voters Of the State, and declare
this Constitution to be the supreme law
Of the land. Notwithstanding this they
have had the boldness to present this
Constitution to you, who have sworn to
maintain the laws and Constitution Of
the State, and demand that you shall
forswcar yourselves, and declare that
this document shall be tho Constitution
Of the State Of Rhode Island and Provi-
dcnce Plantations.
The naked statement Of the facts in
tho case is enough to raise blush on
the cheek Of every honorable man.
feel almost ashamed to proceed further,
lest, by seeming to suppose that you
will submit to such dictation, l should
appear to think meanly of you.
This, Gentlemen, is no question Of
suffrage. am free suffrage man.
| wish to see the right ofsutfragc great
ly extended. 1t oughtto have been ex-
tended long ago. am willing to admit
that the Constitution in question is pre-
fcrable to that under which we live. l
could live rontentedly under either
The point ut issue is vastly more impor-
tant than the character Of any COnstitu-
ton whatsoever. The question is SIM
ply this: Have the residents in this state
right, "wthout law and against law" )"
to assemble whenever they please, and
overturn, by simply saying so, the laws
and constitution under which we at any
time may live This is the question
which you are called upon to decide.
Observe, the Suffrage Convention
have declared their Constitution to DO
the supreme law Of the land and yst
they call upon you to make it so This
very act shows that they havo no conf
dence in themselves. They, after all,
thrust the responsibility upon you. And
should Mr.. Atwcll's act pass, (excuso
the insult Of the supposiiion,) on your
names alone will the stigma rest forever.
By this act, they have acknowledged
your authority. Show them that you
know how to use it.
But, gentlemen this is not oil. They
ask you to do, what they, as well rs you,
know, you have no moro right to do,
than the Emperor of Brazil. Did your
constituents elect you for any such pur-
pose Have they ever entrusted this
power to your hands f? Have you not
already declared your want Of power in
this respect, by calling convention OF
the people (? Have you not sworn to
maintain the present constitution and
laws of Rhode Island And, can any
man believe you will be guilty of so foul
an usurpalion Let every man Of YOU
lay his hand upon his breast, and ask
himself, whether he believes himself to
have power to act in tho premises.
will abide by that decision.
The suffrage party uso strong Ian
guage, and threatens to use the "ncces-
sary means," (n very significant phrasej
for establishing their Constitution! This
is very odd. They ask you to disgrace
yourselves and tho State, and tell you
if you do not, they will use the "neces.
sary means" 10 make you do il, But,
Gentlemen, if know you, you are not
the men to be bullicd. Your fathers
stood in tho Rhode Island line at Red
Bank and so long as their blood flows
in your veins, you will not show tho
white feather. They were not afraid Of
bullets, and are you afraid of talk -
You are not the men 10 20 home, and
tell your neighbors, that you have been
frightened.
But ] have no fear Of it. MIR. At.
wells resolutions will meet the fate they
deserve. What ask, is, that you all
come TO the work like Rhode Island men,
and show to your constituents and the
world, what stuff you are made Of aud
that you know how to nct, when the very
foundations Of law are assaulted. Waen
this is done, you have another duty to
discharge. Let the legal and Consiitu-
tional Convention proceed with its de-
liberatiors. Let us have u Constitute
adopted TO our condition. Let i, be ma