Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-04-12

+
earth-t1at they were tho Sainss-theretorc the
earth and all It contained belonged to them.
The polls were now opened Tor the election OF
officers under this now constitution. \ portion
OF the people cast their votes for Thomas W.
Dorr Governor. and other officers. who wero
declared duly elected. and who then attempted
TO organize the now government. Then com
menccd struggle between these reyoutonists
and the regular constituted authorities; which.
fortunately for the country without the etiusion
Of blood. resulted IN the complete prostration of
tho reckless dcmagogucs who attempted to de-
stroE the government BY faction and violence.
Here. it to be hoped. that tins mad attempt
TO substitute anarchy for law and order would
end. All the horrors of civil had only
been avertcd BY the firm. but temperate action
of the State authorities. Many of the dculcd
followers of the desperate leaders in tins attempt
at Instruction. had returned to their allegiance
the dark clouds which had obscured the hori-
zon had passed away-peaco rostored-thc
law triumphant. But. sir attempt is
To be made to rehndlc and fan INTO flame the
expiring cnbers of faction and r.hv. The
leaders IN this attempt have appealed, ..DEM-
oCRATs. to this :. DEMOCRATIC House of Rep
resentattvcs for its countcnance and support.
Should amy action of ours give encouragement to
these inccndiaries of Rhode Island. and induce
them to renew their efforts, fearful responsible
ity must rest upon us. The innocent blood which
may be shed must be justly chargeable to our ac
count.
did hope. Mr.. Speaker. that the actions and
opinions of the Dorritcs Of Rhode Island would
find advocates apoIogists in this House.
Bat. sir, find this hope Is grouni!ess. Ny hon
orablc colleague. (Mr. kenncdy.) has told that
he believes Dorr Is tho lawful Governor of Rhode
Island , while the gentleman from Now ork.
(Nlr. Rathburn.) says .'thcy have only exercised
tho right which the God of nature gave them
Sir, these sentiments which are, IN their
tendency. destructive of all government. If car
ricd ont. they would destroy this Republican Go
vcrnm2nt, which is tho pride and boast of every
American and PROSTATE III the dust the fair tom
pic of liberty. which has been ceinanted BY the
blood of our patriotic sires. | could not SIT ST.
cntv IN my seat and hear such sentiments a
vowed in this Hall.
Ny colleague has assumed that the right of
suffrage IS a '.naturdl right and. because some
restrictions wore imposed upon it By the govern
mont Of Rhode Island, a majority Of the people
hf4 , ;;aiatBrnh ris4t tQ aszapbo II PUBLIC NEE.
destroy the government, and institute such an
as they choose. If the right of suffrage is a
'.aaturdl right let me ask my colleague by what
means he arrives at the conclusion that nature
has conferred this right upon the white population
alone Arc not the blacks endowed with this
right, by nature. equally with tho whites Have
! thew not. equally with the whites. q '.nafural
right TO resist and subycrt the government I'M
der which they live. whonaycr they may become
dissatisfied with it The Dorrtcs OF Rhode Is
land admit this right on the part Of the colorad
population. and. in the If attempt to subvert the
government. numbered among their pretended
majority all the blacks who were disposed to
take part with them. Apply this doctrine 70 the
States of Georgia. South Carolina. and other
States IN this mon. III which the institution of
slavery exists. In some of those States the col
orod population out-number the whites. Will any
man contend. that III any one Of those States. IN
which a majority of the population consists of
,1f
IN public meetings. put down the existing govern
mcnt. and adopt a one. more congonial to
their feelings If the Dorrites correct in
their opinions. if the opinions of those who have
defended them here correct. 1t follows rs q
necessary consequence. that the government Of
Georgia Of South Carolina. and Of every other
slave State in this mon. is liable. any moment.
to be subvcrcd whenever q minority of the poo
pie of such State. including blacks. may Will ITS
overthrow.
4 gain: | would inquire if the right of suf-
I frage. and the right to overthrow and change GO
! vcrnments. :. NATURAL RIGHTS. why should
the female sex be denied their exercise Has
7 NATURE and natures God : conferred upon
] the male rights which withheld from the
faircst portion Of his creation If they are
:. natural rights how do gentlemen arrive at the
conclusion that they only can be exercised by
males after they attain the age of twentv-one
wears Why may they not exercise them al
+ eighteen or twenty we'll at twcnty-one =
I Has nature drawn this line to prescribe tho time
when this right commences
If a majority OF the people have = natural
i right : at any time to assemble together and
overthrow their government. and alter or amend
their constitution. have they not equal right
to assemble together and alter repeal any OF
the laws of the State The Legislature which
cnac.s the laws IS but the representative of the
people and if the doctrine OF Dorr and his fol
lowers is correct. majority Of the people within
the limits of any State may. BY resolutions a
public meeting repeal or change any existing law
Tho law declares that the killing of any human
being. with malice prepense shall be murder. ane
punishable with death. Have the majority 0
the people right 70 assemble together and re
solve that murder shall be no crime May they
whether natives or aliens. black or white. by pub
lie meetings. repeal or alter the laws reguiatin:
wills descent distribution. &c. Have they
natural rchf :. IL rencal Ill laws imnosinr nen