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

ID
promotion; but the experience of all history as
/ surcs us that none are ready TO disregard ana
tramplc upon tho rights of tho people, as those
who aro most profuse IN their professions OF re-
gard for them.
| have as much confidence in the virtue and
patriotism Of the people as any gentleman upon
this floor: and will 90 far To- protect them III
the enjoyment of all their rights, rs HIM who
goes farthcst. do not, however, consider that |
should be entitled 10 any additional credit for my
attachment to popular rights. by making II q
theme Of constant defamation The maxim ROY
opuii ror Uei'' IS one to which | cannot sub
scribe | do not believe that tho voice of the
people IS the voice Of God. The attachment Of
the American people to their Government and its
institutions is undoubtcd Their conduct IS
prompted BY patriotic motives. They have no
other wish in connection with political matters,
than that Government may be parpcluated.
and honestly and fairly administered But the
sincerity of any may he we'll called IN ques-
ton. who will contend that whatever majority
may do, must of necessity, be right. The az
ercgate of the community, ike individuals. may
form erroneous opinions-thov may be swaycd
by sudden and exciting impuIscs-they may be
influenced by their passions, or deludcd by the
arts of the unprinciplod dcmagoguc. % course
temporarily destructive of their own interests, IL
though thor patriotism and natural good sense
will ultimately lead them to correct conclusions.
that all political powers from the people.
Those who exercise the powers of Government.
are bat their representatives. and arc responsible
to them for the manner in which those powers ire
exercised. The author Of the Declaration Of In
dependence has enumerated III that instrument, as
the natural and unaionablo rights of the people,
:. LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
IHAT To SECURE THESE RIGHTS GOVERNMENTS ARE
INSTITUTED AMONG MEN. DERIVING THEIR JUST pow
ERs FROM THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED. Inc
authors of our Declaration OF independence sup
posed that tho Government derived its just pow
crs from the consent OF tho governed. but the
'.DEMocKATIc Membors'' OF the Legislature of
Rhode Island, who have thrust their crude no
tons of DEMOCRACY upon this House, through
this memorial, more sagacious than the founders
OF the Government, have made the important dis
governed Is alone suihccnt to the organization VI
any form of government.
To appreciate properly the sentiments OF the
memorial. il is necessary look at the history OF
the late attempt Of Dorr and his followers to sub
wort tho established Government of Rhode island.
Previous to tho Revolution, the Colony of Rhode
Island was governed under the provisions OF a
charter granted by King Charles II. IN l6o:'.-
The charter originally drawn by agents OF the
Colony and sent To- England to obtain the assent
of the Crown. After that assent was obtained
it was returned, and adopted by a vote OF the
whole people Of the Colony for their government.
After the Revolution, and the organization OF the
Federal Government. the Government of the
State of Rhode Island still continued under tho
charter, not by tho authority of tho Grown, but
as the compact and agreement OF the people OF the
State. AS an evidence Of tho democratic char
ter of that charter. Will quote the opinion OF Mr.
Bancroft in his History Of tho Jnited States. VOL
II. page 81:
Ths charter Of Governments constituting, il Their
seemed. pure Democracy, and establishing po'ira
believed 10 be practicable - sun IN ex'stence ana M
oldest constitutional charter valid in the world
ovcd principles of Clarendon. and the potieie
OF CHarics IL The probable population OF Rhohe i-iah'
Of its reception. have been shousanC
handled. In hundred and seventy THAT nun
reaSed fUd and the Government which
was hardly thought checks enough power
OF people, endure among shepherds and farmers
protects dense popuIatio aud tic accamua
widely extenJed commerce. No where in the world have
e liberty and property been safer than IN khode Island
Mr.. Bancroft. the author of the history refer
red to. Is n prominent and distinguished
mcmbar of the Democratic party. Under this
Government the rights Of tho people pro
tccted and the country prospered. until some o
those reckless dcmagogucs. who are ever dissat
ishcd. and ever seeking for change, commenced
Il warfare upon IT,
In July. 1911. a sclf-constituted COMMITTEES
published an address calling upon the people TO e
let delegates to meet in convention and frame
constitution. Meetings OF portions OF the people
were held III different parts OF the State. and del
/ cgatos appointed. who III November following
met and framed what is denominated the ''Peo
plc'S Constitution. The convention made al
order that this constitution should be submitte
to the people for their ratification IN the ensun:
month of December. During three days. vote
were received IN favor of the constitution IN opel
meetings and during three days more. the coun
try was ransackcd BY persons. who went from
house to house. urging the people to send IN thol
tickets for the constitution After all these efforts
about 1900 votes were received and sent TO tn
convention which framed the constitution. Ih
voters made motley crowd of blacks and whites
natives dcnizens. and aliens. The names of tn
United States troops. temporarily stationed IN tn
State. wero put down as voters for the constlsu
ton and the names Of largo number were ais
( put down. VINO were not to be found any whor
in the State. The convention of delegates. upo
these votes being returned to them resolved tia
the constitution had been adopted by a maJor1t
OF the people of Rhode Island. and was then tn