Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1845-05-22

The following article we copy from a
late number of the New York Express.
THE sentiments contained therein we
believe to be in accordance with the
sentiments of a vast majority ofthe peo-
pie of this State, and of every friend to
good Government in the country.
The DoRR DIFFICULTY IN RHODE
IsLAND.-Thc natural enemies Of the
State Prison, by which we mean the
Dorr men per Sc, and the misguided men
Of DORIS liberation, who expect to re-
store quiet to community by excrcis-
ing the morcies rather than the terrors
Of the law, held meeting in Provi-
dence yesterday to discuss what meas
ures were necessary to obtain the re-
lease Of their hero. We have not learn
ed the result Of this meeting, but as the
object was TO demonstrate against the
action Of the Legislature, we may con-
clude what were its proceedings. 1t is
n matter Of great congratulation to us,
that Rhode Island has so far shown
enough of principle and pride to resist
all attempts at compromise with her
own self respect and a proper regard
for the safety Of her citizens. She has
gone as far as she can 60 in honor, in
passing a law by which Dor may be
liberated if no will but take an oath to
support the Constitution Of the State.
Declining to do this, we hope he may
remain where he is until the experience
Of old age shall teach him to repent his
folly. Well convinced, as we are, that
such an escape from punishment, as has
been proposed in his case, would he an
example Of endless evil, we desire to
see the majesty Of the law rise so far
above all demand for individual mercy
or favor as that, in all time to come,
men may point to this case as one in
which justice has proved the master Of
crime, and patriotism superior to a re-
bellion backed by threatened and at
tempted murder. To US, Mr.. Dorr is
nothing, while Law and Order. public
safety and good example, are every
thing. We say to Rhode Island men,
therefore, stand where you are, and as
you value your own consistency of con-
duct, your own self-respect,- 1.-The pres
ent safety Of yourself,-a good example
to your children, the good opinion and
respect Of the world around you,-be
firm and yield nothing Let no cow
ardly fear Of consequences drive you
from the step you have taken. Close
your ears to all appeals that will tend
to degrade your own State in the eyes
of the moral and wise among mankind.
BE neither coaxed to do wrong by the
insdious appeals Of those who would
scducc you to error, or inundated from
doing right by any storm that may
threaten you from foes without or with
in. Your dignificd position thus far has
commanded for you the respect and ad-
miration Of the world, and, rs you val
ne your present good and your future
peace, shrink not from standing fast up
on the foundation where you are. "First
pure, and then peaceable," is the true
Christian principle of conduct among
men, and peace is always sooner OBJ
tainod by doing right than by doing
wrong.
We have read the recent debates in
the Rhode Island legislature, upon the
proposed liberation Of Dorr, with great
care, and, if we can, we intend TO lay
Them oil before our readers. The great
argument adduced by the friends Of MIR.
Dorr was that he is characterized by
great spgencss and firmncss orpurpose
and, therefore, MGi he UiH mol yieId.-
Then le, his own stBbbornness be his
own punishment. The very dcclara-
ton of his friends shows that there is n
determination on his part to worry o'
humble the State into subjcctlon.--lt is
the struggle Of Que man, and he is q
criminal, to triumph over the State, and
in such a struggle, who shall triumph,
the arm Dr tho Law, backed by the NOR
al influence Of the Stale, or the arm ol
the prisoner supported by that popular
violence, which every now and then,
threatens To resolve itself into mob
/ Mr.. Dorr Is represented, too, as a
martyr \ martyr 10 what Surely
moi 10 The seventies of The law, for he L.
in al respects his own master, aprlson-
or from choice, not lrom Necessity, and
is as free to go beyond the prison walls