Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1844-07-11

Rhode Island Wing Tyranny:
Cor. Dorr sentenced to Imgrisoamsn! for LVc. for
cdrooafiag the Rights Of The ''coaia,on' people!
We learn from the eastern papers, that the supreme
Court Of Rhode Island. at Newport. has sentenced
THOMAS W. DoER to Imprisonment IN The STATE Pris-
on at Providence. 10 be Kept at hard iabor IN solitary
conf aemr M. during tbe term Of his aqisrald fc This.
It seems = u. is the most mons;rous act If cold
blooded tyranny ever perpciratcd in tins country. Ell
Their without law or under is form. o'ConnclIs late
sentence. FIR a similar crime, i mercy, compared
with this. If it be sanctioned by public opinion. We
may a. well cease at once prating about eur free m
s~titutions and our love Of liberty and justice. Eut it
piR aot be sanctioned out of Rhode Island. even If
approved BY a majority Of the people there, which is
doubtful. 81 far as we have heard expressions Of
public sentiment, the gross injustice inflicted upon
Mr.. Dorr by the Algcrine Wing Tyrant> meets with
the strongest condemnation. 1t is an act discraccfal
MT only to our country but to the age. and VII be
stampc.i in all time to come a such.
The Providence Republican Herald. a democratic
paper says
This sentence has caTnoa the climax OF Alserine
wickcdncss, and filled the measure OF the airocious M
putty Of that party which has tramplet on the rights al
the people, and established a military despo'isn on their
ruins. 1t has been received by an outraged oi.'munliy,
without any outbreak or popular excitement, bi a. has
created "A deep and powerful sensauon-a feeling OF IA
diSnation which y gaining strength, and pervading the
masses. \ man innocent of crime, of transccndcnt tai
ent, OF a moral character SO lar above rcproaeh, thai, even
the most malignant OF his enemies, like the viper who
gnawed The lille, have ceased 10 assert II, urged by the
purest motives, and approved IN his course bv fourteen
thousand, or a large majority of the adult population OF
the State, Is sentenced 10 the State prison for life, for al
tempting 10 carry out a reform, which the spirit of the
age imperatively demanded, and the proprieiy OF which
The minority party, who are sustained IN power by the
aid Of the 'iade chite plume a mercenary soldiery,
have since acknowledged, by abrogaiing and annihilating
the very old Charter, To the Government o. which he
has been adludged "A traitor, la this age of boosted en-
lightenmeni and refinement can such things be without
our special wonder
Previous to the sentence. Mr.. Dorr addressed the
Court IN a short and admirable speech. which we shall
publish hereafter.
After the sentence, Gov. Dorr was secretly convey
a ed. by the Algerine lnquisitors. from Newport To Pro-
e violence. Two companies Of Horse Guards were on
parade TO prevent any outbreak ON the part Of TIE
j., people; the Armorics were manned and the State
t Prison qua rded. The martyr prisoner was attended
) by his faithful friend and counsel, Walter 5. Burgess.
= and passed from the steamer up the steps Of the pris-
ON with a firm step and n serene countenance, greet
ing his acquaintance with a smile. At his parting
with the world, his fatLer and mother were permitted
l n last interview, and, powerfully affected, again en-
| treated him to sue for pardon, which he refused 10 do.
1T nine O'Clock ON Thursday evening. he was immur-
ed III his cell, and entered upon the fclon's discipline.
9 In a short time after his arrival the news spread rap
; idly through the city, and before dark n large crowd.
with feelings highly excited, collected in Market
Square. The authorities anticipated some disturb
ancc. in consequence Of which the armorieS were &C.
cupicd during the night by TIE different military com
I panics. The prison was also guarded during the
night. There was no attempt ut violence, however,
the Indignation Of the PEOPLE manifesting itself only
in words.
G Mr.. DORIS father and family pciitioncd the Lcgis-
c lature and Governor for his pardon, bu, lac himself
refused TO sue for mercy, and authorized his friend
Mr.. Banou to say as much in the Assembly. Tn
+ fairly tried and condemned. he awnife ne jns,i~e ."
: his country.
The following is the petition
D 10 the lion. Gcneai .iSsemHy IF The State Of Mode Is
fdnd-9t their June Session az .NeirpOTt, II. II. lci4.
: RESPECTFULLY SnEwETu:
f Your petitioner, Sullivan Dor, of Providence. the IA
r tIer of Thomas W. Dorr, that the SAID Thomas W Is
now confined IN prison, for the crime of treason against
the State, aud Is liable To be sentenced To imprIsonmenr
for life IN the States Prison. Your petitioner would beg
leave TO call the attention of the Hon. Assembly To some
oil The prominent circumstances leading 10 the above re-
= suits. viz
I 1t is a well known fact, that at the time of the iorma-
: ton OF The Suffrage Convention, So called It's discus
sion and maturity in tins city, that the most eminent cler-
gymen daily assisted, with their prayers. the Convention,
while forming SAID Constitution, and afteTwaTd, when put
out To the people for their approval, II received The sup
, port OF 5000 votes IN this city. many of which were CIV
l en- IN by persons OF the highest responsibility M add
a ton TO which the Suffrage party received the applause
r and appreciation Of men IN very high stations, aud men
OF much learning out Of the State. mich was. no doubt.
p the cause of bringing aboli the fearful issue well known
- to the Hon. Assembly, and assisting to RAISE 10 an cmi-
hence the son of yOnr petitioner, who, without such as
sIsiance at home, and encouragement from abroad, could
Z not have sustained his cause one moment.
Your petitioner has already deeply suffered from the
: events OF The last two years, IN which II + known he had
: no sympathy with the principles and conduct Of said ION,
f and that he Is DESTROYS To be spared the pam Of h> ina
priSonment in the State : Puson-as he would respectful
! " suggest enough having been done 10 yIndicatc the OF.
Tended laws of the State, and the present Constitution
being firmly established. and the sand Thoma, VI. hav-
e ing voluntarily delivered himself 10 the authority of the
State. and has been long Imprisoned IA the County JAIL
. waiting hts TRIAL. \ generous policy would seem 10 war
rant that an act of amnesty might be passed. or that the
SAID Thomas ". might be liberated on such terms and
conditions rs To your 1ionors shall seem fit or, If an am
ne-iy cannot be granted, your lIonorS Will commute A.
sentence for imprisonment IN the County Prison. at New
port. instead of the States PRISON.
Wherefore your petitioner respectfully prays your Hon
ors Tor the Liberation of said son.
(Signed) SULLIVAN DOM.
The petition was laid on the table.
Murder OF DO. Smith.