The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-05-19
p O ST S C. R P T.
Washington.
Washington.
(Correspondence Of the Hsrad-l
WASHINGTON, Tuesday evening.
Rhode Island Ahair-Proceedings In the

WASHINGTON, Tuesday evening"
Rhode Island AfaIr-Proceedings In the
House.
The Rhode Island war is waging furiously in the
Senate. The debate so unwisely begun by Mr.
Allen this morning. was continued up to the close OF
the Legislative session. MIR. Crittenden pounoed
upon Mr.. Allen with his usual vigor and sharpness.
Mr. c. bears no love President Tyler, but the doc
T'nes and position of the Executive in relation TO
hhodc Island, are manifesty Just and sound, that
helther passion nor prejudice can turn patriotic
and clear headed man like Mr. Critenden against
them. MIR. Summons made very sensible, and in
part uhanswefaDle argument in reply TO Mr. Allen,
Out about dozen OF the Senators will sustain the
mons'rous demand Of the revolutionary party in
Rhode Island, nevertheless. Mr.. Calhoun has the
foor tor tomorrow. He is understood 10 concur
fully in the views of the President, and it is exnec
ted that he will take strong and decided ground in
opposition to the factloniss. Indeed il ia II fcri,
to see how any clear headed and honest man can
do otherwise. There never was clearer case
presented Tor the contemplation of man. The
President is bound by his oath. by the reouir 70
ments oil the constitution, to sustain the regula rIv
constituted authorities Of every sovereign stale He
cannot 60 behind the forms OF organization. He
cannot inquire into the legality OF what purports to
be- and what for more than half century mas been
acknowledged to be, the governments Of the state of
Rhode Island. Reverse the case. and see what
consequences would flow from contrary course on
the part OF the Executive. Suppose that The Prcsi-
dent should take the ground that 1t vae competent
for the federe executive to enter INTO the merits Of
the dispute between the government Of Rhode
Island and the party seeking laudablc object, but
by UNJUST fiable means and this ground should be
sustained by the national Legislature and the Judi
ciary, and the suffrage party should, with his assist
ance, overthrow the established government, and
organize new one under constitution Possibly
it might be all the better for Rhode Island but could
there be precedent fraught with more perncious
consequences? Admit the right Of the president to
lnqslre into the alleged grievances Of minority in
state, and the existence of one-half the state gov
ernments in the Union would depend upon his will
Grant him the authority to redress the wrongs OF
the minority, and he can overtum the government
OF state In a months time.
But let US look little into the details of the
practical working of the doctrines of these revou.
tlonary ragamuflns. 1t is well known that there is
great diversity OF interest and sentiment in Eastern
western part of the State should ask for the abolition
Of slavery any other concession which the Legis
lature might be unwilling to grant. Failing to obtain
their requests they conclliate the favorable regard
OF The Federal Executive, and then threaten reyo-
luton. The demand is still rejected The State is
about equally divided, and with the aid of the gene.
raj government the State is revolutionizcd- the
regularly organized government overthrown, and a
new one erected on its ruins.
Is it not easy to imagine that such state of things
might arise If the views of the radicals should be
carried QUIT We shall whether any man profes.
sing the doctrines of state rights will be found avow-
ing this abominable heresy
short time before the hour of adjournment in the
House this afternoon MIR. Sprigg, of Kentucky, OBJ
tanned the floor, the Navy Appropriation Bill, and
being unwilling TO commence speech Just at the
heel of the session, he moved that the committee
rise and the occasion was adroitly seized 20 run
through several bills, to which no objection could
be made. Mr.. Gushing carried couple relating to
foreign tonnage, and Mr.. Williams of Connecticut
another, constituting Stonington port of entry
One Of Mr.. Cushing's bills provides that Spanish
vessels in American ports which have not
touched at any Spanish colony shall be
subjected to the same tonnage duty as IL
paid by American vessels in Spanish ports un.
der the same circumstances The other imposes
upon French vessels from French Guiana, the same
tonnage duty is charged upon American vessels
in that port Mr.. Wise called up the bill authori-
sing the Secretary of the Navy to institute board
of officers, TO consist of two of each grade, down
to the passed midshpmen for the purpose of assist
ing him in recognizing the Navy and framing a
code of laws for its government. 1t was passed
temporarily, in order to give time for examna.
ton, but it will pass without opposition