The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-15

stitution of the State by methods not
provided by law. A govern ment was or
ganized In opposition 10 the regular su-
thorities, by virtue of an alleged popular
vote taken in a wholly irregular manner.
An attempt was made to seize by mill
tary force the arsenal in Providence.
can we'll rememb Der the thrill which went
through the state. Business was sus-
pended, and from all sides armed men
were marched 10 Providence at the call of
the regularly elected Governor.
"old Narragansett rang with arms,
And rang the silver bay,
And that sweet shore whose girded charms
Were Philips ancient sway;
And oar su Islands haley on scene
The black artillery sent;
And answered, from the home OF Greene,
The men OF da1ntless Kent"
The spirit of law and order was vindi-
oatoc, the risiog OF the people WAS SO
Overwhelming that the pretended govern
ment was swept out of existence as before
a whirlwind.
No better reply can be made to any
criticism of the action of Rhode Island at
that time, that that which is spread
upon ner records in answer to some
resolutions passed by the Legislature OF
Maine; "Rhode Island can never forget
her past history, her early struggles in
the cause OF religious freedom. her tolls
and su Altering and sacrifices in the War
OF the Revolution, and her jealous de-
termination al all times to secure to the
people of Rhode Island the exclusive right
to manage their own affairs in their own
way"
And as we look back now, with IN
prejudiced vision and calm spirit 1t Is
plain that Rhode Islands way was a
good way. First, the law was upheld and
order was re-ests blished. After lawless-
ness had been put down with a strong
hand, then the whole question OF sn ex-
tension of the suffrage was examined,
and the cause of grief was removed. An
/ matters in dispute, bY regularly called
and chosen constitutional convention.
All parties quietly submitted to the
government OF the 'major part"
1t is unnecessary to follow Rhode
Island through the war for the Union.
Her record is fresh in our memories.
Time would fail me TO even call the roll
OF those VINO, in that time OF trial, were
an honor to our State. Their names are
inscribed on many a battle monument
erected in the busy streets of our cities,
or In the more grateful quiet OF rural
cemeteries. Suffice il to say that the
Rhode Island spirit renewed it's stregth n
in dor do Of piI har
sons showed themselves worthy to carry
forward the standard OF freedom and of
right.
j have dwelt long on thsse matters of
Rhode Island history, on these Rhode
Island ideas, on what Rhode Island repre-
sents and stands for in our oody polite.
l wonld have Ii known and Understood
of all mon that the House, whose corner
stone we lay here today, will not be a
mere empty shrine. 1t is not to be q
beautiful castle filled with nothingness.
The principles which Rhode Island has
wrought out and exemplifed, the princi-
pies inculcatsd by Roger Williams and
woven into the mental fibre of our cTi,i-
zsns, the principles OF soul liberty, Of
individual independence, OF respect for
the rights Of others, of obedience TO law,
of devotion TO the state, OF readiness to
lay down life II necessary in defense of
our loved institutions. these are treasures
tit 10 be placed in tbe costliest re-
ceptacle. They are our treasures, they
belong TO our State; they ars our price
less inheritance. We are bound to trans
nit this inheritance unim paired, and un-
tarnished to our children.
Let US build this beautiful temple, let
it be rich and fine as art and skill can
make it. Our State can well afford a
place TO store our goods, and
we have waited long. A hundred
and tbiry-seven ysurs-fJur
generations Of men-have pssstd away
since a building for similar purpose was
begun for the uss of this peorle. We
have long ortgrown the structure then
erecred. But he.spifit in which those
early Legislators N formed their duty
can never be outgrdWb. We read at the
emo of the frst body OF laws ever promul
gated In this colony these words: "And
Otherwise than thus what is herein for
bidden, all men may walk as their con-
sciences pers wade them, every one in the
name Of his God. And let he Saints OF
the Most High walk in this Colonie with
out Molestation in the name Of jehovah,
their God for Ever and Ever" This spir-
Il which filled the minds end pervaded
the work OF our founders, and the ideas
and principles which grew up and were
formulated in that olden tin o are i'm
perishable. Let us transfer them in oil
their ontireness to their new home. Let
us give To them our honest, hearty, low
ing adhesion and support. Let US show
TO al future time that Rhode Island
reveres all that is good in her pest, that
she Rlories in her inheritance OF lofty
ideas and th at che remains true to the
teaching which they iuculcate. Let us
show that while we admire tie beauty