The New York herald., 1874-09-16
FORMER STATE REBELLIONS.

The Dorr Trouble In Rhode Islnnd-Riot
OF '66 In New Orleans and What Led
to 1.-THE Emeutc in 1s73-Piatform Of
the White Mans Party-Chief Justice
Taney on the Presidents Powers.
The collision between the adherents OF Kellogg
and McEnery in Louisiana makes the third in
stance In the history OF the United States where
rival claimants for the office OF Governor have
sought to establish their pretensions by force.
The Brooks Baxter contest in Arkansas Is OF re-
cent occurrence, and all the circumstances of
that case must be fresh in the memory OF the
public DORIS rebellion In Rhode Island is OF
older date, ana as the questions at issue In that
memorable dispute were passed upon by the
highest tribunal in the country, particularly
the point as to the authority Of the
President to determine when an insur-
| recton exists in State. and also
to Judge as TO which Of two contendng parties
was to be recognized as Governor, some particu.
lars or the difficulty Will no doubt read now
with interest. Among the complaints made by
the white people or conservatives OF louisiana is
that troops have been sent into their State and
placed at the disposal Of United States Marshal
Packard, who is Chairman Of the Republican State
Central Committee ana the District Attorney,
who is said to be the pillar Of the republican party
in Louisiana, and that this action on the part Of
the general government will cause the wantOn and
arbitrary arrest OF political adversaries by the
hundred under orders issued by United States
Commissioners working in party traces The con.
nict In Rhode Island, 1t will be seen was precipi-
tated by despatchng regular troops to put down
the government attempted to be established by
Dorr.
1t VIII also be observed that the executive and
legislative authorities OF Connecticut and New
Hampshire took ground favor OF the suffrage
movement as soon as President Tyler determined
to send troops In aid OF the charter authorities.
The course of New York was very decided indeed,
and TWO regiments Of militia offered their services
to Dorr to resist federal interference in the contro
versy. 1t seemed as If 1t should have been con-
sidered strictly domestic matter until, several
years later, the Supreme Court of the United
states laid down the law on the subject.
THE DORR REBELLION.
In the years ls41 and 1872 political agitation
listed in Rhode Island. The government at that
time was based upon charter granted by Charles
ii. in 1868 and, the appOrtonment OF representa-
ton IN the Legislature was greatly at variance
with the distribution OF population. The elective
franchise was limited to the holders OF certain
amount OF real estate and to their eldest sons.
About one-third only OF the citizens were voters.
Associations were formed in nearly all the towns
Of the State with the object OF di1usng intorma-
tion among the people upon the question OF FORM
ing written republican constitution and extend
ing the right Of suffrage At the head OF this move
ment was Thomas W. Dorr, who had served five
terms in the Legislature. On the 9th of May, 1s41,
a mass convention OF the male inhabitants of the
State, consisting OF 900 and upwards, OF the age
OF twenty-One years and upward, met
at Newport and adjourned to meet at
Providence on rhe 5th OF July following at
which place and time the Convention reassem-
bled, consisting OF 5000 persons, and concluded to
n N fra M a
ton, which was to be submitted for ratification to
the popular vote. Accordingly delegates Assem-.
bled in October 1S41, ut Providence, and drafted
constitution, which received 14O0O votes, a clear
majority OF the citizens of the State. The consti.
tuition thus indorsed was sent to Governor King
and by him communicated to the General Assem-
bly,, and by them lald on the taoe. The existing
government OF Rhode Island treated the proceed.
ings as nugatory SO far as they went to establish q
new constitution; and criminal so far as they pro-
posed to confer authority upon any persons to in
terfere with the acts or the existing government
to exercise powers Of legislation or adminisra-
tion OF the laws Mr. Dorr and his party assumed
that the new constitution was the fundamental
law of the state and proceeded, in accordance
with 1t, to hold an election ior State officers. Dorr
was chosen Governor, and legislature composed
exclusively OF his supporters was elected. / n the
meantime Governor King appointed commission
ers to proceed TO Washington and
REQUEST FEDERAL INTERFERENCE
TO prevent a leroclous domestic war. President
Tyler declined TO interfere. He stated, however,
that I'll an eXlgency OF lawess violence snail
actually arise the Executive government Of the
United States, on the application OF Governor,
under the authority OF the resolutions or the Legis,
lature already submitted, win stand ready to sue
cor the authorities OF the State 10 their Efforts TO
maintain due respect for the laws.n Governor
King imme fiatey issued proclamation against .
clared that they would submit to compromise
that had not for Its basis an wledgment that
the ultimate source OF all political and sovereign
na1n
State; and that they would support Dorr to the
last the sor charter party also had held an
polled 1900. On May s. 1872, DORIS government
the reins OF power. They were resisted by the
legal government, which mad organized at New
Special laws defining the crime of treason. and
authorised the declaration of martial law. The
Governor, under this authority, announced the
martial law. Both sides appealed to arms. Dorr
came on to New YORK, where he had studied law
ander Ming, Jr. OF the Thirteenth regiment OF ar
tl!lery, and Lieutenant Colone Abraham j. Crasto,
OF the 236th regiment. rendered the services OF
their commands 9s military escort TO accompany
him back 10 Providence, and Dorr also made an
enort raise here 500 additional men to be sent
armed TO Rhode Island.
UNITED STATES TROOPS
were now sen, 70 suppress the insurrection Tam
many Hall TOOK an active interest in the contest
Dorr, VINO had been originally lederalist, became
democrat IN 1881. An Immense meeting was
held IN this city 30 protest against federal inter-
terence. The suffrage Governor. In an open |
barouche, headed the procession, accompanied by ,
the President OF the Board OF Aldermen Dorr re. |
turned 10 Providence, and was received by large !
mass OF citizens, two or three hundred OF wnom
were armed, and in proclamation declared that
las soon as soldier OF the United States shall be
set In motion by whatever direction 20 act
against the people Of this State, in aid of the char
ter government, shall cali for thai aid 10 oppose
all sucn force which, am authorized TO say, viii
be Immediately and most cheeriully rendered to
the people OF Rhode Island from
THE CITY or NEW YORK
and other places The contest will then become
national and our State the battle ground OF Amer
can Needom." a writ Was now issued for the ar
rest OF Dorr for treason on Nav is 1s4e .an
armed portion OF the Suffrage parry assembled at
PROVIDENCE ana attempted TO seize the Arsenal,
Dut dispersed on the approach OF Governor King
WIN military force. They assembled again TO
the number OF several hundred at Cnepacnet, but