The Ripley advertiser. [volume] (Ripley, Miss.) 1843-1897, 1845-02-15
DOKRISM.

Htatee, Republican % 10 ""' w.
meo,. and strong - . the tendency o. p.S
49, -..,,, ,owa,d<democracy, this. the anita. q
gooi.,ic principle, hod' place Of refuge WIN" =
,hs limits Of our Union. and sanction anu p'o
lection under lie laws Of one of'he C0"'eoe'.
- Rhode fsland Itself colonzed BY fe'osee'
III. ~. ;o,ole,snce Of is neighbor, Msssacnu' 9
.s,,s IL now become the hot bed OF TINS 'n'o'e''
ant spirit. There il has for years ex's'eo' 80
t,om inactive. bu, unobserved in its acus'y'
until, embodeued by its impun''y' I" mas =
Gently attracted public attention. oy . "0''
olen, infrac,ion Of popular rights, accompanies
bv most gross outrage upon the personal no
er,y Of one. who, regardless Of his own sa'e'y'
and ac,ua,ed only BY desire TO emanc'pa'e
from bondage his oppressed fellow citizens mao
the hard.hood to brave its fury. and thereby 70 I
incur lie vengeance.
The history Of the late contest IN Rhode Isl
and, between the "Charter party" ana 'ne
.Dorri,es," is probably well known to the rea-
ding community. But the public eye diverted
20 objects Of more general interest, seems ro'
10 have scru,inized the causes which LED % inc
conflict with sufficienr regard. to awaken that
attention and solicitDde, which the suplecs oe
mands and deserves.
IJoon the achievement Of their Independence,
the American Colonies with the exception OF
two. shook from them, as monarchial 10 their
character, the charters imposed upon them by
The British Crowns and adopted for their Gov
eminent. Constitutions based upon the princi-
ME. that nthe will Of the people is the supreme
law" OF the exceptions, Rhode island was
one. SHE remained under her cid Charter
which conserred AT political power upon the
wealthy magnates Of the land. and placed a,
their mercy, (such as the lion extends TO the
lamb the great mass Of the people. Thus,
notwithstanding the triumphant issue Of the
revolution, this State has, almost TO the present
hour, continued to submit to terms graciousl..
dictated to her by "Charles the-second BY tn
grace Of God, King &C."
A few years since, man was found amonge
Abe ranks Of the, privileged aristocracy, VIII
was willing and desirous 70 extend to the PEI
pie, the franchises which he hmselfenjoyed,-
unshackle tho mass, and admit themto the Q
ioyment Of the rights Of freemen. He beca'
their advocate and defender,-he portray
their wrongs and fearlessy asserted their r'gt
Ia accordance with their wi II, . convention
called for the purpose Of substituting repu
can constitution, instead Of the old monarch
charter. II met, and submitted TO the Peep
constitution, which, while il secured to Ii
their just rights, aud enabled them, BY re
sentason in the legislative body, 70 main
them, yet afforded othe monied arstocrat
most ample protection in the enjoyment Of
property.-Tbe people approved the iabe
The convention--ratifed the CONSTITUTIONS
under ito provisions, they elected to the G,
material chair the man, who, during the
days Of theiroppression. had been their fai
consistent friend. In gratitude for his toll
suf5srinrs. they exalted him to the highest
Gee within their gift. L i needless tosay
this man was Thomas w. Dorr.
But the Oligarchists. in possession Of the
or Government under the imperial snthori
! British sovereign, little relished these I
ments Of the people, BY which they were
placed upon footing Of equality with the
opulent, but more deserving, fellow cit
They desermined 70 thwart the will Of tn
majority. even tho arecousss 70 arms
the necessary means. TO this indeed,
were compelled very shortly 70 resort; 70
people seemed determined 70 enforce tina
Gtitution, which in their sovereign capacit
bad enacted. The &C harter party" with
Hing q their head, fearful p await the Y
ofpepslw opinion, resolved 70 risk their
spon pssilien WHARF shsir governmental :
~ xosA - a civilwar ensued
fDopls aetin " ~ exercise q The 'ac'
s;oaiispabls LUX II Rsyelasiop, By whic
aIorioSs confsdsrscy i.sslf exists IS an inc
1aat sovereignty. their tory tyra0's
alone on the military and monetary Pows
cognlsing ard enforcing t'c maxim q 'ne