The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-01-22

sFranks" in the attitude of rebels
Communications between the two sec.
tions was difficult, and the movements
necessarily slow but she was assisted
by dissensions which had meanwhile
arisen in the little State. Major Cooke,
man of fiery disposition, set himself
up as the rival of General SeYier and
became the leader of the party, now
forming, and coon overshadowing its
rival, which advocated a return to the
authority of the parent State. The af-
fair eliminated in an attack on Cooke
and about thirty of his friends who
were gathered at his house by Sewer
and $50 of his followers. For three
days the gallant Sewer besieged the
redoubtable Cooke; on the fourth
North Carolina militia appeared from
neighboring counties, and. with shout
and Yolley, at once relieved the gar
rison and dispersed the assailants.
The subsequent arrest of Sewer, his
trial and escape, form the closing
events of the short-lived Common
wealth. The revolted counties re-
turned to their allegiance and North
Carolina once more resumed undis-
puted sway over her possessions.
DoRR's REBELLION.
Rhode Islands rebellion is alto
gether unique, for it arose from a con-
dition of Affairs at singular variance
with all American political ideas.
Down to 1910 Rhode Island was an
aristocracy within democracy. Its
form OF government and conditions of
suffrage were those laid down in the
old charter granted by Charles Il
q charter which continued in force un-
til the adoption of the present Consti-
tuition in November, 1842. By its
terms representation in the Legisla
ture was vested in boroughs and mu-
inequalities, and, far from being based
upon population or number of voters,
was practically fixed and unchange-
able. The consequence was that a
state of affairs nearly as bad as that
which existed in England previous to
the passage of the Reform Act obtain
ed. Newport had q representation of
six in the Assembly, while Providence,
which left its old rival far behind, was
entitled to but four members. Prim-
ogeniture in certain cases gave right
to suffrage. A property qualification,
freehold of $134, was required. In
1910, seventy-two Representatives were
chosen; theirty-eight of these were
elected by towns having only $4,000
inhabitants, while the remaining thir.
ty-four came from towns which had
$4,000 inhabitants. For years this
subject was agitated, but no relief
could be obtained. The Government
was held by close corporation, so
to speak, which naturally was inclin-
ed, so long as it was possible, to per-
petuate its own power. In 1910, agi
tation assumed more difficult form.
Suffrage associations were formed,
tracts were disseminated, the popular |
feeling was aroused, and the object Of
the agitators was so far realized that
in October, lS4l, Constitution was
framed by a popular Convention, and !
published as the Peoples Constitution.
Fourteen thousand voters, majority
of all the voters of the State, approx.
ed it, and upon this approval as au-
thority, the agitators proceeded to the
election of State officers under the |
new system. Thomas w. Dorr was
chosen Governor, and the Constitu-
tionists were pledged to support his
claims as against those of the legal
Governor, King. On the third day of |
May, 1912, an attempt was made at
Providence to institute the new Gov
ernment, but the old one, having the
organized militia at its back, was pow
erful enough to repel it. Two weeks
later an attack on the arsenal at Prov
idence was made, but this also failed.
A very natural reluctance to fight
seemed to characterize the Suffragists.
But finally on the 25th of June they
attempted to make stand at Chepa-
chet, but at the very sight of the State
troops they ingloriously turned their
backs and quietly went home to their
farms and workshops. Thus ended
the rebellion. A failure in itself, its |
object, however, was reached not long /
afterward. A new Constitution, en-
bodying all the proposed reforms, was
legally adopted in the latter part of
lS42. Meanwhile Dorr had been tried
for treason and sentenced to impris-
onment for life, but IN lS47 he was set |
free, and in 1851 restored to all politi-
cal and civil rights. He died early,
and had no opportunity to distinguish
himself, = %beyond the part which he
played in the rebellion. The enemies |
circulated story about him which |
we give for what it is worth. When
he had drawn up his troops in antici-
patton OF the attack of the militia, he
pointed to the columns of the enemy,
and called upon his troops to stand as
long as possible, and then retire with
their faces toward the foe. He is said |
to have then added in a low voice
GAS am little lame, think I will
go now."
Maine has hitherto been free from
intestine disturbances but there was
time for excitement, as strong as
that of the present ragged throughout
the State, and then it seemed proba-
bic that her soil would be wet with
the blood of her citizens. 1t will be
remembered that not until the Web
ster- -Ashburton treaty of 1912 was the
question of our northeastern bound
aru narmananflv seftled Ru q mis-