Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-03-09

STATE RIGHTS. 1t was stated IN Saturdays
Gazette that the Governor of Rhode Island
had presented report of the Che Constable
to the Senate of that State relative to the oth-
cisl interference OF United States Mar
sbsI at the recent seizure of liquors which were
under the protection Of the State. His message,
which is said to have caused great excitement,
is in substance az follows:
IN the collision between the officers Of the
State and the United States | Was called upon
bv q member of the constabulary force and To-
formed of an existing difficulty, and asked to
Interfere 10 the matter. 1t seemed TO me, on
an examination of the facts, that, although
there was no doubt 10 my own mind that l
might direct portion of the military estat-
Gshment Of the State to sustain the State oth-
GERS of law, yet prudence required that the
question might better be decided by court
than by an Intervention of the military Be-
side, was reluctant to bring the military 10
an autagonism with the police OF the city OF
Providence. /, therefore, directed the coostat-
ulary to make no further effort to seize the
liuuor then held by the United States marshal
and chief of the police. As result, this has
been p!acardcd as victory on the part OF the
seems proper that [ should, therefore, say that
pusilanmity, if aoy, is mioe, rather tnau that
OF the State constabulary, and oblcquy, it any,
is niue Iagree fully with the universal opinion
that these attachments are colluslve and a
thinly disguised sham, aud | sharea general
sense of modification at the indignity to which
our Commonwealth was subjected. l re-
alize also the gravity of the situation and
recognize it as our imperative duty to take
measures for an early aud proper adjustment
of the question. There have been dluued into
our ears for the past six months threats With
regard to Fort Adams aud revenue cutters !;
but, so long as these threats were words and idle
words, they have been treated as such; yet
when it is gravely stated by respectable and
Intelligent journal that troops from Fort Adams
and the United States reuenue Gutter, Samuel
Dexter, had been placed at the disposition OF
the marshal, it seems proper 10 ask why Is this
done? Whom is it desired to attack? Not
foreign foe, not turbulent community in rebe-
lion. 1t must be then for purpose-WaglDg
war on the people of the State-a State whose
people, from the date ofits settlement, have
been noted for their intelligent conservatism
aud patriotism. 1t may be improper for this
honorable body to consider such menaces, 90
lopg as they are menaces. But now, that the
issue is directly forced, / think it ought to re-
ceive your attention. Your presence here,
Senators, is mockery and farce. Ii such pro.
ceedipgs as these are sustained by the Federal
Government, your honorable judiciary and ex.
ecutive may as we'll resign their Offices, and
leave the control and direction OF State affairs
to the subordnates of the United States Gov
erDDent.
mo graver question has been forced upon the
State siuce its first settlement. 1t is vital
question, for in it are involved the sovereignty
Of the State and the harmonious relations Of
the State with the United States. The little
State of Rhode Island is entitled on such
point, to an equal respect with larger States,
or the Government itself. make no argu.
ment on this question. The matter is in the
hands Of the General Assembly, and am con-
6dent it will be adjusted in such manner as
to vindicate the honor of the State and main
tain the integrity Of the laws. | have not the
slightest doubt. that the authorities at Wash
ingtou, when this matter is properly communi-
Gated to them, will promptly aod emphatically
condemn and repudiate the proceedings of the
marshal 10 these premises.