New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-03-02
DEMOCRACY AND DORR.

Rhode Island retained until 1872 with some neces
saIy notifications the charter of internal government
originally given her as Colony. II vas remarkably
liberal and excellent Constitution for the times in
which il originated, though behind tie present attain
ments Of our people in Political Science. II vested
fe right Of suffrage IN every cechojer to the value
Of 1874, which, in he early years thar Conmon
wealth when land was abundant ana agriculture the
universal pursuit nearly equivalent 70 Unlvarsa
Suffrage But at leusti her population became dense
and Ter industry in good pars directed toward Manu-
facturoe so that hardly half tho uaea iuS were free
holders aud voters. IN extension Of tho basis OF sut
frage was loudly ard just, called tor yet majority of
tie freeLollers resisted with tic natural tenacy o.
poseeesors Of power. In l94) great Mass Meeting
of those in favor Of moro liberal suffrage wa held
whereby Constitutional Convention was called, waicb
was chosen after q sort met at the appointed tine
famed rev Constitution, uOuhtted II to the peope
At ar Election ordered BY 1t which was held accord
rgly by the Suffrage party, receiving votes from
all who presented them and from some WHO declined
10 take that trouble OF coure the Constitution was
declared upon canyassing these votes, to have been
ratified by large majority, TO take effect few months
afterwfrd. An Election was held under the Proyis-
ions Of this Constitution at which Governor and
Legislature were chosen, who in due time entered
upon the discharge of their designated functions, alter
fashion The StateII0use being shut in their faces,
the Legislature met in cundery enacted laws aud a-
pointed officers with great unanmity, and adjourned
leaving their Governor 10 make good his and their au
thority BY the sword. That Governor was Thomas
Wilson DOR, the son of wealthy and prominent citi
zen of Providence; the father bitterly opposed the
whole movement
III these proceedings, as is well known. were had
not only without authority of prior legislation but IN
o5tenatous contempt and defiance of the constituted
authorities of the State aud the form Of Government
previously existing rs the earnest, emphatic protest
of very large division OF tie inhabt4ats of Rhode
Island tcans. institutions regarded By them as unequal
and oppressive they entitled to grave cOnsidera-
ton; but as acts of sovereignty, claiming legal or
constitutional validity, they were of no account what
ever. They had exactly as much legal force as would
be accorded 70 meeting 10 our Park OF aliens who,
quoting the Declaration OF Independence aad proclaim
ing the Equality OF Human Rights should decree them
selves the right Of suffrage, aud tAereupon proceed,
in connection with all who synpathzei with their
movement, 70 elect new Governor, Legislature, and
other oficers at tire appointed By them, Ia sreby
assuming the entire control Of the State.
Gov. Dor has always seemed 70 Us well meaning 2.
weak-headed, oyer.ambtOus man, pushed into evil
ways by demagogues eager 10 profit at the cheapest
rate by the CONFUSION 10 wss egged on TO create He
went to Washington after his assumption OF the
Goveruorship played upon BY INSCRIPTIONS poll
tcisns there returned by way of Tsmmany Hall, and
was there fooled 10 the top OF his bent By the hajiiE
Of that foul dem and thence dispatched 10 Rhode
Island ripe for any desperate game. He called out
his militia, undertook TO capture the State Arsenal a.
Providence was deserted by most Of his followers and
compelled TO run away went up N.w Hampshire and
was there prmed for fresh mischief blythe demsgogues
who in that State abound; received some delusiye
manifestations OF sympathy from Gov. Cleveland Of
Connecticut; returned TO the north part of Rhode
Island, where bis strength lay, snd re6rganized his
forces now drawn in good part from this City q.
place known as Acotes Hill but before the State
forces quickly sent in pursuit. could reach that Oca
ty Lis army lad melted away aud Lie had sbscOndei.
He returned after q season 10 the Safe which had
meantime adopted Constitution more sccoriaH.
than her old charter with the spirit of tho sge) Was
arrested on charge Of treason tried. convicted and
sent,rcod TO tire State Prison and to deprivation OF
POLITICAL rights 4 Legislature after elected,
under the lead of JamesF Simmons and Ch.s Jackson,
/ which released him from Imprisonment aud he has
since lived very quietly. He was Wing prior to
1912 but has since sympathised with the party termed
Democratic and has rendered il great service. His
case was powerful eiectiOneering weapon in lsii
being represented on the stump throughout tie free
States after tbis'ashon The Wings ass liled crushed
sud sge nov persecuting Mr D0rr bscssss y irqs ~