Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1843-06-15
WHOLE No. 688
grop the Providence Daily Jqurn0l.

Of the General Assembly, on The oc-
caslon OF the change in the civil gov
erumcn, sf Rhode. Island, by the adop-
lion of the Constitution. WHICH super
seeded the Charter VI 1868, BY VIII
/ Lam q. Goddard.
Providence Knowles 4 Vose.
The occasion on which this oraiion
was delivered, was unlike a9y which.
had ever before occurred in the history
Of the State and, in mapy respects,
unlike any which ever occurred in any
State. The circumstances which staipp-
ed il with such interest, are far too ircsll
in the memory Of our RAIDERS 10 require
any recaptuipton. 'the oration, QUE
reasers already know, was worthy oI
the occasion. The solemn political
truths which it enlorces, sunk deep into
the hearts Of one Of the most intelligent
and cultivated audiences thai ever as
seInbIed in Rhode Island, and is e!o-
quent periods aroused anew the patriot
ism which had been proved IN the day
Qf trial. We shall best give an idea OF
this oyation by some extracts. Mr.. God
dard has added to it some explanatory
and historical notes, which add greatly
TO It's value. Among them are notices
Of DR. John Clarke, James Burrill,
Samuel Eddy, Elisha r. Potter, Ben
jamn Hazard, WilIiarp L. Cbanning,
and other Distinguished msa who have
assisted to mould the character and in
siltutiols Of the State. The notes also
embrace a notice of Bishop Berkley
aud his residence at Newport, historical
lnetaoranda and other matters of Inte-
rest. We trust that this Grafton will be
read by every true Rhode Island man,
and that its circulation abroad may tend
TO remove the false impressions which
demagogues and traitors have been too
successful in making upon the public
mind in regard to the RhoGe Island
question. We know Of no production
better calculated TO do this service 10
the State and to the cause of freedom.
We make the following extracts
MEN OF RnoDE-IsLANn. What pIeans
this gathering of the people What
stiIs the deep sympplhlcs ofihc general
mind Why are the streets oi this
ancient Metropolis thronged with engcr
and exuliing crowds For what ?ur-
pose have we entered these sacred
courts Why do see before me The
chief Executive Magistrate of Rhode
Island, the grave Legislators Of Rhode
Island, and brilliant corps OF toe chI-
zen soldiers of Rhode Island Have
we all come hlthcr to gaze at q cpplivat-
inc pageant to exchange, III holiday
humor, the congratulations ol tins hot
day season to celebrate, with hea'ea
passions, partisan triumph, and ~
waste, amid pomp and IeslIvl'y, the
hours which should be consrcraied ia
freedom and to truth God forbid, my
lelow-citizens, that such should be
either our daty or our choice God
forbid, that, at such CRISIS as this, we
should look away from the esseplla ~
the nccidental-irom the permanent OBJ
legations of principle, To the fugitive IN
.crests of men---irom the august cause
Of Liberty and Law, TO the poor anh
perishing concerns of ordinary political
parties! know you too well TO ihlnk
that, for any such purposes, yop have
come together, upon the present occa-
sion. Far nobler impulses than mere
contest for political power bath ever
created, now a9ltate yopr hearts, aho
bid you To pour forth, .rom all that is
within you, the voice OF deep and iran
Iuuil inv. at our fjnai deliverance from
trouble aud of solemn thanksgiving To
Almighty sod for the signal lpterposl-
tions, in our behalf, of his watchiul cara
and his restraining power. we are
here assembled To conmemorale tho
triumph Of "the sovereign Law, tho
states collected WILL over treasonabl9
couusels. aud reasonable acis--orer
the unchastened iervors oI the revoIu-
.t.onary spirit, aud the actual PerIls OF
revolutionary strife. We are assembled,
likewise. 10 look, for the last tune, aud
with reyerent eyes may II be, upon that
venerable iame of civil government,
Ithe work. and, under God, the Pr"tcc-
ton of our iaiber>, WHICH embodes the
seminal principles Of civil aud religious
liberty aud which, for nearly two hun
drcd years. has showered upon tbs our
poodJy heritage the rich blessings OF
peace. prosperity, freedom aud honor
And vet more, we have assembled, lei
low-citizens, to witness the orgonlza-
tion o. government under that new Con-
,,itution. which The people OF Rhode
island. in the exercise Of their sovereign
mower. have ordained and established
10 the end that they might secure and
transmit unlmpared to succeeding gen
cra,lous. the cVll aud religious liberty
cr;oycd under the Charter.
This, then, is the orisls without
paralcl ~ the political history OF Rhode
Island and without ? parallel, II would
not be too mucl, 30 add, IN the political
history og any free government How