The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-05-26

Now that the Ark ansas squabble Is ut an
end, It may be profitable to take look
backward at another unplesantness ola not
wholly dIssimilsr kind in Rhode Island,
In what is called the Dorr rebslli IN.
At that time there were in that state two
rival governors, each claiming to have been
constitutionally elected, thus producing two
state governments in existence at the same
time. The inhabitants were divided into
two hostile parties or camps, martial law was
proclaimed, troops were mustered and armed
and collisions took place. The president
was appealed to for military assistance by
the governor to put down the Dorr insurrec-
ton. Finally Dorr was defeated in his at
tempt to establish his authority, and he
ceased his attempts when it was once known
that President Tyler had decided to
call out the militia for the MAIN
tensnce of the public peace. The Dorr
rebellion arose out Of an attempt to effect a
change in the constitution. The govern
ment at that time was based on charter
granted to the colonists by King Charles l.,
in 1868, and the chief cause of dissatisfaction
was in the unequal apportionment of repre-
sentation.. The elective franchise was lin
tied to the holders of a certain amount of
real estate and to their eldest sons, thus
making only about one-third of the citizens
voters. However strange it may seem, not
only did Rhode Island unite with the other
colonies, under this form of governments, in
the Declaration of Independence but after
ward in adopting the constitution. Unfor-
fol iv,s n of
vision was made for any amendments to the
and large number of citizens
became dissatisfied with this state of
affairs, this feeling having been of many
years standing. Finally memorials to the
legislature failing, a convention of the peo-
pie was called and this delegate assembly
.ook upon itself the task of drawing up
now constitution. Dorr was the leader and !
chief instigator of this movement. |
The new constitution extended the |
right of suffrage to all male citizens over
wenty who had resided in the state |
,ne year. An election was held under this |
and full corps of officers and
members of the Legislature were chosen.
At this point the charter party denounced
he election, and the Legislature passed acts
lenouncing all such usurpations of power.
this, the Dorr government
attempted in May to meet and organize in
while the charter government met |
IN the same day in Newport and passed an
yet declaring martial law and calling out the |
militia. The governor then appealed to the
PRESIDENT but he did not think the time had
ret come for his interference. At length the
)orr party attempted to seize the arsenal,
,ut dispersed on the approach of the troops
& Governor King, and finally, AFTER once1
more meeting the state troops, they dis.
landed and Dorr fed from the state. He
vas sfterward arrested, tried and sentenced
or life in the penitentiary. The charge Of
he chief justice at this trial clearly defined
he power OF courts 10 interfere with ques-
ions arising in contested election cases. IL
nay be said, he remarked, that he,
)orr. "really believed himself to
,e the governor of the state, and
hat he acted throughout under this de-
ision. However far this may 60 to extenuate !
he offence, it does not take from il its legal |
,uilt. 1t is no defence for the violation of
my law for the defendant to come into
curt and say, Il thought was but exer-
Using legal right, and Iclaim an acquirtal
N the ground of mistake. Were it SO there
would be an end to all law and all govern
nent. Courts and iuries do not count votes
o determine whether a constitution has
'eeu adopted or governor elected or not.
,ourts take notice. without proof offered
rom the bar, what the constitution is or
gas, or who is or was governor OF their own
tate. = It, belongs to the legislature
o exercise this highsduty. 1t is the legis-
ature, In the exercise of its delegated
that counts the votes and declares
rhether constitution be adopted or gov
rnor elected or not, and we cannot revise
r reverse their acts in this particular with
ut usurping their power" 73ds ha Isl
That "third term" talk won't be laughed