The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-03-26
WASHINGTON D. c, TUESDAY, MARCH &C. 1874

this country we have a class of politicians who
apply this principle to the people. They pro-
fuse in their professions of attachment to the peo
pIe-they descant, with glowing eloquence, upon
their natural nghts,n upon their virtues, power,
and nteIgence-and upon the right of the ma
ority to do whatever they may desire, at all times,
and under all circumstances. The demagogue
who aspires to popular favor, may imagine that
his cheap professions of attachment to popular
rights, will supply the place of merit, and serve
as passport to promotion; but the experience
Of all history assures ue, that none are SO ready
to disregard and trample upon the rights of the
people, as those who are most profuse in their
professions of regard for them
have as much confidence in the virtue and
patriotism of the people any gentleman upon
this floor; and will go as far to protect them in
the enjoyment of all their rights, as him who goes
farthest. do not, however, consider that
should be entitled to any additional credit for
my attachment to POPULAR rights, BY making it
a theme of constant defamation. The maxim
&C rors populs ror Del is one to which cam
| not subscribe. do not believe that the voice
of the people is the voice of God The attach
ment of the American people to their Govern
ment and It's institutions is uudoubted. Their
conduct is prompted by patriotic motives
They have no other wish i'm connection with po-
IiticaI matters, than that our Government may be
perpetuated, and honestly and fairly administered.
But the sincerity of any man may be well called
in question, who will contend that whatever a
majority may do, must, of necessity, be right
The aggregate of the community, like individuals,
may form erroneous opinions-they may be sway
ed by sudden and exciting lmpulses-they may
be influenced by their passions, or deluded by the
arts of the unprIncTpled demagogue, to course
temporarily destructive OF their own interests,
although their patriotism and natural good sense
will ultimately lead them to correct conclusions
hoe tho srr,l,
that all political power emanates from the people,
Those who exercise the powers Of Government
are but their representatives and are responsible
to them for the manner in which those powers are
exercised. The author of the Declaration of In
dependence has enumerated in that instrument,
as the natural and unalienable rights Of the peo-
pie, aL.fe, liberty, and the pursuit Of haPptness-
That to secure these rights, governments are m
stituted among men, dsriring their 1ust Poners
| from the consent of the governed" The authors
of our Declaration of Independence supposed that
the Government derived its just powers = from
the consent of the governed" but the Demo
cratic Members" OF the Legislature OF Rhode ISL
and, who have thrust their crude notions OF De-
nocracy upon this House, through this memo
rial, more sagaclous than the founders OF the Gov
eminent, have made the important discovery that
the consent of $ majority" of the governed is
alone sufficient to the organization OF any form OF
| government.
! To appreciate properly the sentiments OF the
memorial, it is necessary to look at the history of
the late attempt of Dorr and his followers to sub
/ vert the established Government of Rhode Island
| Previous to the Revolution, the Colony of Rhode
Island was governed under the provisions OF a
charter granted by King Charles Ii, in l663.-
The charter was originally drawn by agents of
the Colony, and sent to England to obtain the as
sent of the Crown. After that assent was obtain
ed, was returned, and adopted by 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 the
charter, not by the authority OF the Crown, but
as the compact and agreement of the people OF the
State As an evidence of the democratic charac-
ter Of that charter, will quote the opinion of MIR.
Bancroft in his History of the United States, vol.
! III, page Ga:
i @This charter of Government constituting, it then
seemed pure Democracy, and establishing political
/ system which few beside the Rhode Islanders them.
selves believed be practcabe st in existence, and
is the Oldest charter valid IN the world
1t has ouved tAe principles of Clarendon and the poll
eies of Charles H. The probable population OF Rhode
Island the Of It's reception, may have been two
| thousand FIVE hundred. In one hundred and seventy
wears that number has increased forty fold and the
Government which hardly thought to contain checks
| enough on the power Of the people, to endure
among shepherds and farmers, protects dense Popua-
ton, and the accommodations Of widely extended COM
II Wners
| property, been safer than in Rhode Island
Mr. Bancroft, the author of the history referred
to, is now prominent and distinguished member
Of the Democratic party. Under this Govern
ment the rights of the people were protected, and
the country prospered, until some OF those reck-
| less demagogues, who are ever dissatisfied, and
ever seeking for change, commenced warfare
upon it.
| ia July, lS41, self-constituted committee pub
Iished an address calling upon the people to elect
/ delegates to meet in convention and frame con-
stitution. Meetings of portions of the people
were held in different parts of the State, and de-
legates appointed, who in November following,
/ met and framed what is denominated the " Peo-
| pies Constitution" The convention made an
order, that this constitution should be submitted
TO the people for their ratification in the ensuing
month of December. During three days, votes
were received in favor of the constitution in open
meetings, and during three days more, the coun-
Il II -, .~k frrrr