The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-10-05


In the body OF freemen upon terms Of
absolute equality. The code OF 1647
adopted by the general assembly OF all
the people upon the union Of the towns
for mutual protection under the frst char
ter, I'm its declaration OF the principles
| OF q free government, its bill Of rights.
its human rights, its comprenensiveness,
boldness and simplicity. anticipated by
more than a century the legislation OF the
other colonies. Here was laid down. for
the FIRST time. the fundamental doctrine
subsequently found in the Declaration OF
Independence. which has become the basic
tenet OF democratic institutions. ...at
government rests upon the free and
voluntary consent OF all or the greater
part OF the free Inhabitants.
II contained provisions for referring
all laws back to the people for confirma-
ton or rejection. II was declared 10 be
A. wholesome liberty for the whole or
ma jor part OF the free inhabitants 10
consider laws made by the commission
ers courts; and upon finding discom-
modify In any law made by the ssyd
courts, then orderly to show their dis
like. and so to invalidste such law"
We have here tho first example OF a
federal union In this country. II was
composed OF independent towns: and the
have seen was called wholesome
liberty
These novel and advanced doctrines led
the historian Bancroft TO observe with
truth: Had the territory OF the state cor
| responded with the Importance and singu-
larity OF the principles OF its early exist
| ence the world would have been nled
with wonder at the phenomena OF Its his
| tory" II our Federal union has been per-
| ad "A
the breadth OF It's liberty and the disci-
| pline OF its people In the art or seif-goV-
ernment then Rhode Island should he
accorded special recognition on this day
for the lively experiment she inaugu-
rated on the shores OF Narragansett bay
one hundred and fifty years before the
adoption of the Federal constitution.
THE PREPARATORY STEP
The great preparatory step TO the for
nation OF the Federal union was the Rev
olutionary war. In the events which led
to that war and its successful termina-
tion, Rhode Island took a leading part
Her practical independence of the Crown
and her early institutions had bred an
intensely Democratic spirit She was fore
most in resisting the encroachments or
the mother country and In her assertion
OF complete Independence. Two months
before the Declaration OF Independence.
Rhode Island severad her allegiance to
the British crown. She was the first SOW
ereign state Her opposition to the stamp
acts was the earliest and most violent
, She committed the first overt act OF re-
sistance In the capture and burning OF
the Gaspee. she shed the nrst blood OF
the Revolution. Her privateers. manned
by h~- intrepid seamen. were the scourge
OF British commerce Her subscriptions
tn the Continental loans were relatively
to her population and wealth, far In ex-
cess OF those OF any other colony. She
was the FIRST state to take formal action
respecting continental congress, and
the first TO elect delegates.
Six months before Patrick Henry ex-
claimed in the Virginia convention. The
war is inevitable. And let II come" Ste
phen Hopkins OF Rhode Island declared
In the first continental congress. which
sought only "a redress OF grievances"
by petition: Powder and ball will de-
eide this question. and any OF you who
cannot bring your minds to this mode Of
adjusting the question had better retire
In time II was through the efforts OF
Rhode Island that the continental con-
gress passed the first act creating an
American navy, and Its command was
placed I'm the hands of Rhode Island
! officer. At tho close Of the Revolutionary
war, General Greene ranked next to
| Washington. II was one Rhode Island
Commodore Perry. who, after the battle
| OF Lake Erie wrote those words which
have since become the inspiration and
motto OF the American navy: we have
met the enemy. and they are ours" II
was another Rhode Island Commodore
| Perry who carried western civilization 10
japan.
WHY RHODE ISLAND HEsITArEp.
IL Is not strange that Rhode Island de-
| liberated longer than the other states be-
| fore adopting the Federal constitution I'm
the absence from that instrument of a
/ bill OF rights securing the personal liber-
| ~ for which she had ever struggled. and
| which was the cornerstone OF her insti-
| tutions. II she hesitated. something must
be pardoned 10 the spirit OF liberty. n
! should also be borne In mind that ratih-
cation was secured In many OF the states
only by slender msJorities. and with the
understanding that the first ten amend
ments should be speedily adopted Since
! her admission. no other state has shown
| a greater devotion TO the Union, nor a
| loftier patriotism In the hour OF trial
| There are other features IN Rhode ISL
| and's history which closely touch the life
! and well being OF the nation Commerce
! led 20 the adoption OF the Federal consti-
tuition. The unifying Influences OF COM
merce. trade and manufactures have pro-
NOTED a national spirit. cemented the
bonds OF union. and made US ono people.
| In commerce and manufactures. Rhode
Island Is pre-eminently distinguished.
The sea loves freedom. and freedom
loves the sea. Her geographical features.
| combined with her Democratic institu-
tions. shaped and controlled the activities
OF her people. They fostered a commercial
spirit. and her beautiful bay Invited the
! commerce OF the world.
They bred a sturdy. independent enter
prising, seafaring race. with the liberal
| spirit and hospitality which are born Of
the sea. In the French and Spanish wars.
! her privateer- yvept the main, and her
annals are full % daring deeds. At the
close OF the 18th century. the sails of her
merchantmen vhitened every ocean. and
| her merchant princes brought riches ana