Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-04-24
POLK AND DORR.

papers, that Mr.. Polk has appointed to Office
certain persons. who are Significantly styled
friends olGuv. Dom The appcllation seem,
To be regarded as the proper passport to exec
tive favor. We have had for some time before
MS, a book entitled, Report of the Trial of
Wilson Dor, for treason; including
the testimony at length, &c. &c. from notes
taken at the trial. This report is made by
the lawyers who defended the accused upon
his trial. One OF these is w. s.. Burgess, who |
has been appointed by the President, a District
Attorney of the United States, as burlington
Anthony, who also figured in the Dovcrrebcl-
lion. has been appointed Il Marshal of the u.
$. Since To be the friend of a man who has
been convicted of Treason against his State,
now secures To the fortunate individual the
fuvors of the General Government, we have
thought ii worth while TO turn over the report
which his ADVOCATES have given of his trial.
to learn if we could, upon what grounds, this
convict is exalted to the He-o ofour Democra-
tic epoch. 1t is known, that being found
guilty of Treason against the State of Rhode
Island, Thomas w. Dorr was sentenced to be
imprisoned for life in the States prison; that
after he was consigned to that prison, the
Legislature has offered To release him upon
the single condition, that he would take AN
oath of allegiance To the State constitution;
that he has refused to accept his liberty, and
that he has obtained an appeal which is now
pending before the Supreme Court of the
United States.
In regard TO the legal questions involved in
the case, W. presume to offer no opinion at
this time, but await with confidence the deci-
sion OF the august tribunal which is to
pronounce upon them. and are prepared to be
well satisfied, whether that decision shall be
for or against the prisoner. We NEEDLE not
with the question of the mere legal guilt or
innocence, well knowing that that is very differ
ent IN many instances from the character of the
transactions i'll either a moral or political view.
But MIR. Polk has not awaited the final arbi-
trauent of the Courts. He has already
undertaken to eXalt a man who, now at least.
stands in the attitude of a convicted traitor. bv
gliding with high favor, the acComplices and
defenders oil his treason. Apart, therefore,
from the sentence of the law, it is time To
awaken attention To the man. and TO the career
50 stamped with the seal of approbation. For
."i' Pe!Posf f. we snail J! !'a IL q IaPiIA ar ir RGRdGr' OF
From the time of the revolution until within
a late period, the people of Rhode Island lived
under d government. which was derived origi-
.~iy nom a Royal Charter. and after The
overthrow of the Royal Authority. was SANE
toned by the long acquiescence of the citizens
In this manner it acquired the force of q
Constitution. We design to say nothing OF
the meuts or dement's of ttl.s Constitution
except Tin general terns) that its restriction.
upon the right of suffrage were, as we think.
unjust and objectionable to a large number OF
the people OF the State. After several efIort,
to obtain a new constitution tlrrouph tbc
regular and legal forms, some persons. toc
impatient toawait the action of public ouinior
upon the authorities, undertook to make -
constitution, and set it up without law. and
III spite OF law This was the Dorr party
Inc Legislature in January 1871. called q
Convention TO amend the Constitution. but
The member were to be elected by freehoIder.
alone. III Dorritcs complained of this. and
IN our opinion, with reason. But, without
waiting To see what sort ola Constitution. tina
convention would frame, they commenced
immediately, that violent and ILLEGAL course ot
action which ended in the conviction of thci,
leader. They called, what they were pleased
to term a Popular Convention. They admitted
such member as they thought proper. elected
without the sanction of law, and by such
persons as chose tUvote. They came tope,be,
IN hot haste, and framed a constitution q tbsr
liking. They submitted il 10 the "Psorle
and so lar outran the legal convention. tIa
three months before, there was a popular yot,
upon the work of the latter. the Dorrite,
declared their Constitution was adopted "b,
a vast majority of the whole people. w,
know not who are honorpd by them wi tb ia.
title OF the people We are not informed
how they collected the votes of this va.
majority. But, proceeding without ,epnIa,
forms or legal restraints, we can easily baliov,
that the more orderly citizens would have
nothing to do with the matter. while ,oy.,o.
LHA liz
OF every cline, sex and color, black. white and
gray, would be only too welcome 10 thoso AN.
a%rclical polls, If they came to vote for tbc
Peoples Constitution" Having no moan.
of scrutinizing the polls. it is uselcs, to tronbIc
ourselves about the number or character Of
those who consented to overthrow an ancient
government. aud set mp another IN its place
hy u'cons which, If they meant to rcspcc, n,a
law were iAcgal-if they meant TO overthrow,
IT, were contemplate and pucrilr.
We have a better method of testing The pre
tension that this movement was sanctioned H.,
the'sovcrcignty ofthc people, than any scrpti.
nyoi the polls. We slall soon see hoy, man,
a. the people sustained Dor.
When they hal proclaimed bat d,o p,o
rte Constitution vrs adopted t,cy rroec,5
cd 'o clocis Governor, vAs t,s Don, l,a..lf.