The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-10-21

general Nnu wen GROUNDED marin. fIOWeVcr We
may be divided by state lines when internal or ex-
,prnal wars ale threatened, we are but one people.
Whatever may be the cause Of rebellion, or revo-
luton, in single state its consequences never
he confined within lis own limits. They will ex-
tend throughout the land. and involve, eventually,
every member Of The Confederacy. The flames OF
civil war nre not likely TO be lighted up by
rebellion against the general government. That
has been armed with powers which are abundanlly
sufficient to quell domestic insurreclion. Blu, our
peaceful state soveregnties, although authorised
TO inflct the penalties for treason, are not sulii-
cienty provided against the exigencies Of rebell-
ion. Unless, therefore, the general government
promptly interferes, under its constitutional power,
to suppress it, rebellion against our state govern
mcnls is the most probable cause which exists Of a
general civil war.
After escaping from danger, it is natural to look
back, that we may sec how it occurred, and
how il can be avoided for the future
When the colonies, which now FORM the OIL
dest thirteen states of the Union, separated from
the mother country, they generally adopted writ
ten constitutions of government: with the right OF
suffrage more or less restricted, but in none OF
them universal, md in several, colonial intquali-
Ties of representation were preserved. When
written constitutions were adopted, they, ia most
instances, provided modes for their own amend
meat.
Rhode Island, however, satisfied with the exis-
ting form of government, did not adopt a written
constitution. On our separation from Great Brit
ain, therefore, the laws Of the legislature of that
state became the supreme law, and the power of
government could not be changed without an act
Of the legislature, or by revolution. Any change
which should be made, however pcaceuhIy, unless
BY law, would, Of course, be revolution, as il
woud be putting down the existing government,
wihon, It's own consent, and substituting another
in its place.
In all the old states, inequalities in the right of
suiliage and representation continued 10 exist I'M
altered. till within about twenty Yeas past unat-
tended by serious complaint, and certainly with
out the though, Of revelation. About that time. in
some few of the states, public opinion demanded n
change, and a change was accordingly made, with
out difficulty or violence. In other states, were
peaceube modes of altering the constitution are
provided inequalities nearly or quite ms great as
those complained Of in Rhode Island, have been
allowed to exis, to this day. In our own stale
even, unshackled by colonial restraints, we volun-
luIily formed and have continued government,
whose inequalities Of representation are probably
epunl To these, which, in Rhode Island, were
thought to Justify revolution, and that, too, by
the sword. But such n revelation can only be
justified when the evils of government have be-
come oppressive and in,oerabc and when all hope
Of miIder remedies is lost, Such was not the state
Of things in our sister state at the time portion Of
her citizens thought proper to raise the standard OF
civil war. We heard no complaints Of misgoycrn-
ineni nor Of the suffering of any portion Of her
people. They were in full possession of the same
free government they had always enjoyed, aud of
the civil rights which are universal in the country.
1t is hue their political privileges were not equal,
Some towns had greater proportion OF represent
,uiion than others, and there were property quail
fca,ions for voters. These were the evils, and all
the evils complained OF.
lfir is to be granted, tina. for reasons like these,
government may, ut amy time, be overturned by
violence, wc shall never, in this country, be with
out fruitful causes Of civil war, There IRE ine-
qualities in the right Of suffrage and representation
in every state; and in none, can greater neqaity
Of representation be found, than at prcsen, exists,
under our national government, in the Senate of
the United States There, two millions and half
of the citizens Of New YORK are no more numer-
ously represented than hundred thousand cii-
7ens Of Rhode Island,
Considerations like these should satisfy US, thai,
mere theories about government and political
rights unaccompanied by oppression and priva-
lion of civil rights, never, in This country, JUS
lily resort 10 the sword. Public opinion is the
safe. proper and cer,lin corrective of all evils Of
this description. Its operation is gradual, but it is
surely better 10 wal, long and patiently for its Ill
innate effects, than rashy to engage in n savage
land, public opinion had already produced its cf-
4, 4 lad ,,hnsn foot ,,it 10
shed blood, without the slightest excuse. Before
,urc had caused constitution to be Submitted to
the people, which it was fully in their power 10
adopt. It will hardly be deemed sufficient an
swcr to this, to say, iha, i, was no, such in all res
poets us portion of the people required. II went
dmos, the whole extent Of their demands. II is
not desirable that changes in government should be
abrupt, in matters ubou, which there is nearly I'M
equal division of opinion. In all we'll regulated
communities, such changes; are always gradual,
Al there canno, be the slightest doGb, hu, that, in
Rhode Island. surrounded by free republics, md
herself one Of their elder sisters, every thing,
which could be justly demanded, wonId, in due
time, hive been obtained. And, under all the
circumstances, the attempt. which was made by II
portion Of her people, to plunge the state in civil
war, deserves, in my judgment, the severcs, rep
rehension of every humane citizen, and every low
or Of his country. And cannot find words 10 ey.
press my sense of the conduct Of those, who, I'M
concerned in the Affairs Of tina, state und remote
from the dangers and horrors Of The scene, urged
on and stimulated her dcuded citizens 10 the enact
ment Of the tragedy which they were so cager 10
witness.
have thought it my duty 10 express these view,
because II is n subject of immediate injercs, 10 II.
all, and because suitable expression Of opinion
as to the character Of such events it, perhaps ,ont
Of the best means Of preventing their recurrence
|, is due also ito the state Of Rhode Island, nfiel
having passed hrong so severe md nnexampied d
trial, aud after the noble exhibition she Inns made
Of frmness. wisdom, and 'forbcarance. under cir.
cumsiances Of such extreme difficulty and peril.
There is nothing which so much promotes the
love of order in u community as 5,he diffusion oil
knowledge aud especially of that knowledge whicl
ia early inscd into the mind Those who are
prepared, with sound principles and a good educa.
ton, for the active Of life. can hardly fail IL