The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-15
STATE HOUSE
Continued from page s.

ty, tho burn1ncg OF the Gaspee, ana
| the attack on the British navy were vio-
lstions of law, they were disturbances of
the peace. But IL must be remem bered
that the charter Of Rhode Island gave
its citizens the absolute right of self-gov-
ernment. In the estimation of the peo-
pie at that time, the British armed ves-
sells were interfering with this right Of
| self-governmsnt. 1t has never been prin-
ciple in Rhode Island that oppression
should be tamely submitted to. The
expedition against ths Gaspee was
planned by the best citizens. They be-
lieved they were striking blow In de-
fence OF their rights. The actors were
we'll known; large rewards were offered
by the British government for lnforma-
tion which would lead to their convic-
tion. but not a man was found in the Col
ony base enough TO beiray them. The
breaches OF the peace were not against
Rhode Island laws, but against the un-
warranted tets of a foreign oppressor.
! This was the view at the time, and the
acts were regarded as patriotic and
himself OF being disturber OF the pub
| lie peace. He was 20 accused in Mass
| chusetts. and his doctrine was pr pronounced
| dangerous. But IL we study his charac-
/ ter such accusation is seen TO be without
foundation. He was first of all respec'
ter of the rights OF Others. He was a
scholar versed in ancient aud modern
languages, the friend OF vane. OF Milton
and of Cromwell. He was student and
a horn teacher. He learned the Indian
language here, and in England he taught
/ Milton Eut III. In this country his aims
were to DO good to the natives and to
have a conscience void OF offense. He
never wavered in his belief in bis great
! principle Of soul liberty, and though he
| endoavored by stout arguments to con-
vince his opponents he never forced any
mans conscience. lie was a seer, who
raw more cl sarly than any man of his
| time the true relation Of man to God.
! There is nothing finer in history than
the reply made in accordance with his
! teaching, by the colony of Rhode Island
| To the complaint of Massachusetts,, that
Rhode Island was barboring Quakers
who ought TO be punished for their opin-
ions. We have "no law whereby to pun
ish any for only declaring by words
their minds and understandings concern.
ing the things and ways of God" And
when il was binted that the power OF the
motber country would be invoked to COM
| psl Rhode Island TO punish for opinions
sake the same teaching prompted an ap-
real TO tne Protector, asking that We
"msy not be compelled to exercise any
civil power over mems consciences soc
] longe as humane orders in poynt of civil
| ity are not corrupted and voyslated."
| Yet Williams maintained IA propositions
against the doctrines of the Quakers,
and WAS SO earnest. in his dissent that
! age did not damp his srdor. When ~
years old he arranged 10 discuss these
prcpositions with representatives of the
Quskers at Newport. To keep his APP
pointment he rowed himself in an open
boat from Provide e.ce TO Newport; "and
God" he says, "graoiously assisted me
in rowing ell day with my old bones so
that get 20 Newport towards midnight
before the morning appointed" No more
striking example can be found OF re-
fussl TO force mems consciences, Rc-
companied by strong endeavor 10 cor
vince their understandings by argument.
! Roger Williams was no disturber Of the
peace.
Rhode Island has sometimes been re-
preached for her hesitation in sdopting
the Constitution. From cCr present
point of view, there certainly appears 10
have been unnecessary delay. But IL we
60 back in Imagination TO that time. we
shall see that this delay proceeded from
that invinciple spirit of independence
TO which l bave endeavored 10 call your
attention. Rhode Island was very loath
TO give up her power to manage her
affairs in her own way. She feared en-
croachments on her liberty by any gov
ernment outside of her own. 1t had been
most solemniy declired "tbat the form
of government established in Providence
Plantations is Denorratical that is to say,
government held by the free and
voluntary consept OF all, or the greater
part of the free einnabitants.' She knew
her own freedom: she wished to have
the powers of che government TO which
ste was calico upon to submit, most
carefully defined before she submitted.
There vas reason In tnis. The Constitu-
tion was evidently not perfect. II was
hardly ratified befor, 10 commandments
were found necessary. Was not Rhode Is
land bound to see that she took no step
in the DARK? That she surrendered none
OF the liberties which she rad secured
for her people, and had enjoyed so long?
That this was the feeling throughout the
state Is perfectly clear. On the 2ith of
June, 17Ss. the news was received at
Providence that New Hampshire had rat
Tiled the constitution. The partisans of
ratinnction proposed to eel brale he occa-
sion. New Hampshire was the ninth
state: her ratification made the final
atontion certain. Preparations were made