Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-06-19


iza,ion of our Government, in moral or polit-
ical poin, of view, which in itself is more as
tonishing or more alarming to the friends of
order and good government, than the course
which has been pursuedby The self-sryled Dem
ocralc party in regard 10 the case of I. w.
Dorr. If il be possible for man to be guilty
of the crime of Treason against our Republican
form of government, t. w Dorr is guilty Of
the crime. private citizen, living under
Government, which has been recognized from
The first as the Legitimate Government of the
people of the Stale of Rhode Island; private
citizen, who was born and reared 10 manhood
under the same, and had enjoyed all its privi-
eges and immunl,ies, rises up without even
pretexl or shadow of law, and declares TO the
whole people of The Stale that he will not sub
nit 10 The existing Government, bu will estab
lish Government of his own. And for this
purpose, after passing through a series OF mock
elections, convening mock Legislature, and
enacting series of mock Laws, calls around
him set of desperadoes, and makes the al
tempt by force OF arms, of upsetiing the Gov
ernmeni, and of establishing his own authority
and power on The ruins thereof. If this be not
treason, lei the word be expunged from the
"books"
For our own part, we are sorry TO see so
much yielding on the side Of the Law and Or
der party. We consider Dorr in no other light
than a traitor TO the Government of the State,
his Country, and our free Institutions, and as
deserving of the utmost rigor of the law,-and
no indulgence ought TO be extended 10 him, ex
ceptng such as may be considered as proceed
ing from acts of clemency and mercy. If the
on this ground, they would deserve the thanks
Of the Union, and may bid the world defiance.
The following, from the N. York Journal Of
Commerce, meets our views upon this subject:
New JerSey Journal. 1.
"CovERNoR DoRR-AGAIN.--The Demo
cratic State Committee of Rhode Island have
issued an address 10 the friends Of Liberation.
signed w R. Danforth, Chairman. It's tone is
a tone of justification and demand. II speaks
of DORIS distinguished services in defence of
the rights and the liberties Of the people Of his
native State, and sef-sacrifcing devotion to the
true principles Of American liberty.
We know not how the people of Rhode ISL
and may regard such language in reference to
a rank traitor, who, in any other country, would
have been hanged or shot, but if it is a fair ex-
preston of the feelings Of the Dorr party, ii
would satisfy our minds that the proper time
for his release has not yet come.
He has no claim to release, except upon the
ground of pure generosity. He hazarded the
exercise of the extreme 'righ, of revouion,' and
failed. That such right exists, is not denied
by US, and every man mus, be the judge when
ii is expedieni 10 exercise it, But no prudent
man will exercise il unless he is prepared, in
case Of failure, TO suffer the penalty of treason.
In substituting Imprisonment, during life for the
penalty of death, the tribunal was mercifnl; and
neither Dorr nor his friends would have reason
to complain, if this sentence should be executed
Order party still incline TO mercy. Although
he has been imprisoned but a year or two, they
are willing TO remit the remainder of the SEN
ence, on condition lha, he will swear allegi-
ance TO the existing government. Two of his
accomplices were recently discharged on the
same easy terms. We have said before, and
we say now, that were we citizens of Rhode
Island, we would never consent TO his discharge
until he could give this pledge of his future
good conduct. What is his objection Does
he mean TO raise anoiher rebellion, and fire
upon the arsenal again! If he does, his pres
ent quarters are TOO good for him. II he does
not where is the harm in saying so?
The new State OF Florida has ranged herself
on the side of Locolocoism. The first cleo
lion has resulted in the choice of William ID.
Mosely U.) for Governor, and David Levy (L)