Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1881-04-19
l W. l m. 8 m. 6 m. l yr.
Space.
RhOde Island Suffrage.

Inc fCSei2r DCr0 cttiZ ne Ut Ru0lt lslsnd are
making 90 efor. to have the State constitution
80 altered rs " Ii giva them the same rights of
Suffrage as ere accord,d tho ciizsps of ell the
otLer States in the Union. Iu the House Of
Representatives lsst week Mr.. Prcndergnst
moved that tho p:,ltiJn Of the fvreign born
ctlzaus TOR coDsllutioual Convention Re taken
up, the question being oG tho recommendation
ot The Committee on the judiciary thst tho lo
tltloae5s have leave TO wi;hdraV. Mr.. Prep
de!gast spaka in favor of constitutional cou.
veGuou sud gave sketch Of thn Sts.es polii-
Gal history sGd quoted nang su,hOritics to shoa
that tho sovereign peopls may ohar G, their
constitution wher they please. He 30 paid
an ell EQuent tribute to the vsIOr eud service OF
otll.L1 OF foreign birth in the ssr Of The revos
lu!i 10 aud the late civil war. 10 cosii bis
S Jecch he said l.:
l have showo that at the present tma the
satne Estio os the people is deoied the right Of
suffrage as was deUied that right 10 lS40 Oul
OF the wrongs that theG Y steo camo !rou5i-s
which e@ded III the D1rr var. | have sh, w,
thst 10 remedy thts' evils tue pres,at cInsti.
ton was given TO tie people, aud though Dever
adopted by maj j1Gity, still bcc1mo tbs iuDds.
Deutsl law. lave shove thai at the Ii.oe ct
its a5op!oo our population Was such tds. wv ug
tc .her pursuits, a6out two !hrd5 Of the oitl
z,us were granted the right of suffrsge. | naga
also SHOWN that, owlog prif Ct paIIy 10 Ito chance
10 our Industries suoe lS4J. the poiticsl power
OF the State has passed uut OF the hands of
majority and is uOw possessed by susll noor.
Ity OF cur peopll. having dropped from two.
thirds 10 two htibs OF the sdut mates ov.i
'wcuy ono yeats Of eg4, ttul bfiusias alb az
ha m nf Yairs bot nv;o %,
10 the Door war. These facts da.1ousrale
pretty clearly hat our present constitution hes
uu lived is ussfuless, ard owing 10 the de-
msnts OF ir,gress needs radIcsl chaDgo. 1t
mag be argued that 1t performs the unc ions Of
gcvaromcDi, but We must admit that while II
disfraGchl=es three fith ct our people it caunot
b. Just hlr. Speaker let Us refuse 20 continue
thls oollus system logger. Let us butst tbs
corrodiIg cbsins of bigotry. Let US dspel the
darkling clouds OF intolerance and let US allow
the pure white light of justice and equality TO
shine with su uafIckering iight upon each and
every one within our border OF how devoid
OF gratitude must be tcat people which reIans
deaf nke to the apDe.is Of intelligence ard pa
triotlam, even though they coma from battle
teds uade crimton with the blood Of the peti.
TONERS Ia thu defence CT those who now refuse 10
grant ,har Jdst request. Let us continue this
uamsniy course 10 longer. Lei US wipe from
our Slate he stain that msrs her other wise fair
iaUe anu HeHCeIUT "hlu Tue ClGEsQ OF hQ0Q6
IL aud lasy point 20 his state snd proudly Say:
the spirit Of tOleration has taken up lis abode
within our lines, the Immortal dCctrnes Of Roger
Williams in regard to freedom in religion have
been extended to the ballot and every citizen
may give voice TO his sentiments ut the polls.
The doctrines CT the fathers are ber fully Car.
ried out, for here IN Its strictest sense We have
govern snt of the people by the people snd for
tho people"
After MI Prendergrast's speech, which was
listened 10 with great interest. it wss moved thst
the further consideration of the matter be con-
tiLusd. IN. Y. Herald