Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-04-24
Rhode Island Politics.

The following letter from Charles Jackson, Cover
elect of Rhode Island, explains the grounds on
which he and many other Wings have acted in the
recent contest
Providence, April oth 1916.
Hon. L. @. c. ELMrR-Dear sir IL have Just recelv-
ed your speech on the Rhode Island question ranked by
yourself, partial of winch read time
with great pleasure On perusing ii again am happy to
say that cordially respond 10 your doctrines. As early
January 1871 put forth similar views In our Legis-
laure, then that change in suffrage and rep
resentaton inevitable The one was ultra conser-
vatve and the other rotten borough in its worst form
The town of jamestown, for instance, with 500 nhabI-
tants had as many representatives, Smithfeld with
10000. Portsmouth, with 1000, as. many as this city
with "a ,000 Public attention having never been pow
erfuy concentrated upon these inequalities charter
had worked well enough up to the above period.
But when the people commenced forming Suffrage As
socations and petoning the Assembly, appeared
me the time had arrived for opening the Franchise and
equazing the Representation. Had remedial measures
been promptly adopted by the Government the
turbaDces IN this State would not in my Judgment have
occurred. The past, however, be helped and
much as regretted that the wishes of the people
not met at once did think the evils sought be
remeded were sufficiently grievous to Justify resort TO
revolutionary conduct therefore opposed all the pro-
ceedngs, from first 10 last connected with the "Peopes
Constitution. In Short aided in forming the Law and
Order Party, and bore with others defence of the
Charter Government
The People Gas you aware) since that time-viz in
IS42-formay adopted the Constitution uuder which the
while Mr. Dorr has been tried, convicted and imprisoned
His present unhappy situation source of dis
comfort and trouble in the State and of the State
Neither his party the Law and Order party dis
band while lac remains in prison.
In this emergency 1t was-thought advisable by many 10
obtain direct expression from the people the question
Of liberation and general amnesty. To accomplish this
consented TO have my name placed at the head of lib
Grafton ticket. hoped that such ticket would be sup
ported by all who favorable the tranquility of the
State The democratic party, condition precedent
TO my standing, passed unanimously n a full convention
from all parts OF the State) resolutions acknowledging ia
unqualified the validity of the existing constitution
Afler this there material points Of difference be-
tween the parties local subjects Both are now
on the platform of the constitutions both now for
Law and Order.
The honor OF the State is more eectualy saved by the
conservative character of the resolutions binding they
do whole party, than it would be by the oath of any
dldua under duress Hence there Is now no good rea
SON Tor keeping Mr.. Dorr prison and Withholding from
him the rights of a citizen.
The secret is that the organization of the Law and
Order party has hitherto concentrated in the hands of
clique, the whole political power of this State The
Wing Party, as such, has been nominay defunct
than year, and the Democratic party has lost the dis
nctve character II bears in other States being known
only the counterpart of the Law and Order party
in other words as the Dorrite party.
IL the present Liberation movement prove successful
the Law and Order and Donte parties must necessarily
be extinguished The Wing and Democratic banners
will not again be unfned, and The people will cease &c
be dquieed by the agitation Of questions which strike
the foundation OF Society shall then be divided
only the people of other States uron National
IL seems to me that the attainment Of objects SC
desirable must meet the appreciation Of all conservative
and thinking men out OF the State.
The course recently pursued by the Daily Journal oil
this city is calculated to msead people abroad 1t un-
fortunately controlled by the ruling clique of the Law
and Order party. Hence its statements and arguments
should be received with many allowances. The true
Wings of this State fully aware Of lis present unnat
ural position and they have reproved il in a voice
to be mistaken by aiding the Democratic party in my
election.
enclose AIR. Simmonss speech, my address, and an
address to the Wings of this State BY these documents
you will perceive IN detail the true character OF tins
for the relief of Mr. Dorr, and paccation
Of the State Very respectfully yours
.CHAS. JACKSON.