The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-21
RHODE ISLAND.

Minister 10 Russia, alter paving obsequous no
mage to the Emperor Of all the Russias, comes
back to the United States, and his first public
act is to preside over meeting called for the
sole purpose of heading the President and de-
nouncing war and exterminaien against the
| troops of the United States if the President
shall be reduced to the necessity of ordering
| them to Rhode Island to put down domestic VIC
lence. Aided by the Honorable MIR. Wander
poel, they get up chant about majorities and
minortes--free suffrage and King Charles
Charter-and talk of swords and guns, and
powder and ball, as if the world was made to
believe that they were perfect freeaters, and to
say the least of it, that they were sworn devo-
tees of liberty and its almost exclusive cham
pions. Without seemingly having stopped to
inquire whether majority of the People of
Rhode Island did, in truth, require change of
| their Recommendations even deigning to
| inquire into the manner in which the votes for
| the "People's Constitution" were obtained
| without looking, as it would seem, into the
course pursued by the existing Government in
regard to the extension of the right of suffrage
course adopted in convention regularly and
! legally caled-without, as we firmly believe,
having even read the provisions of Mr. DORIS
Constitution, they rush into public meeting, cry
out at the top of then lungs and brandish def
ance in the face of the public authorities Of the
Union.
They, the citizens of another State, seek to
break down the existing Government of Rhode
Island, and, with the aid of foreign and hired
soldiery, trampling over the dead bodies of its
citizens, force upon the people Constitution
which is not asked for by an ascertained ma
| jority Now, what we ask of those redoubtabe
HER OES is, that they will not content them
selves with simply contributing money to pay
this foreign soldiery, but to throw themselves in
the front ranks and conduct the assault which
they so loudly threaten. Instead of playing
mock in the Park, prove themselves true
heroes in the field.
We do not mean to say that the Government
of the Union will find it necessary to interfere
with an army, either of militia or regulars, in
the affairs of Rhode Island. We hope most
sincerely that the People of Rhode Island will
have sagacity enough to settle their differences
without the interference of the Federal Govern
ment Should such interference be necessary,
we do most earnestly hope for the honor of the
ex-Minister and ex-member Of Congress, that
they will not, while encouraging the honest la
borer and mechanic to commit treason against
the United States, conceal themselves in their
stately mansions and be only content with re-
solving-the amount of their resolves being just
to set others mischief, and keep their own
garments untorn. Forthe honor ofhuman nature
we do bope that these noble advocates of the
rights of Mr.. Dorr and his party, will take
the field openly and like men. Not only advise
| the treason, but commit it themselves, and in
the event of defeat, be The very first to mount
the scaffold with ropes around their necks.
| But to be perfectly serious, with what face
! can these gentlemen charge an improper interior
ence with the affairs of Rhode Island on the part
| of the President, because he has answered let
| ter or letters from the Governor Of an indepen-
dent State, and simply affirmed, in the very
lans uage of the Constitution and laws. How,
we ask, can they be justified in interfering
! they, the citizens of State foreign to Rhode
| Island-having nothing to do with its mu-
nicipal legislation, with its charter, or with
| its representation? How comes it that then
are so prompt in espousng the cause OF
MIR. Dorr, who has proclaimed himself Governor,
and opposing that of Governor King whose
great seal has been recognised as legitimate
from the time Of the Revolution to this day
There is but one answer to be given to this in
quiry, and we are sorry to be forced to give it.
What else has led 10 this, but the desire to
rally the People to the standard, ultimately, of
some favorite for the Presidency, and invest
that favorite with more than the power of the
Emperor of the Russas. The power to play
with States at pleasure and to convert him Into
the universal consttution-maker Of the States
and of the People.
While the President is resorng to every
proper means to terminate the controversy ami
cably, while he is urging the Governor of
Rhode Island in his public letters to the adop
ton Of a course of Cancellation and harmony
while every reason exists to believe that liberal
concessions will be made by the Government of
the State so soon as the reign of law and oruer
shall be restored and before single bayonet is
fixed or sword drawn under the authorities of the
Federal Observation-Disclosures. Cambreleng and
Vanderpoel proclaim war to the knife, and
swear to trample in the dust the stars and
stripes Of the Union
Will the Democracy of the country sustain
them in this course? Are they ready to unite
in this crusade against the Constitution OF the
United States? What says the patriots of all
parties2 Are they prepared to admit, that if
any man or set of men shall rise up in any
State and proclaim themselves the Government,
that war is to be declared forthwith in their
favor, and the existing Government be put I'M