Year: 1862




ted neu Of all parties in bis favor, and the


Conventions Of the other tvo parties will prob


ably do just what the Democratic Convention


has done-renominate the Governor and al


the State officers. At tine Democratic Con


veution the following resolutions were unani


mously adopted?


Resolred, That the Democracy of Rhode


Island stand TO day upon their ancient plat
form; that they are for the country and no


thing less than the couniry-for the { MON and
tie Constitution. without conditions or higher


law reservations-for peace with all men and


all nations. when It can be hOn0-ably secured
{ or preserved. and for war when peace is no
I longer consistent with national dignity or the


preservation of the peoples just rights-for a
strict construction Of the Constitution Of the
I country. and a sacred regard. at all times. and


under all circumstances. by ruler as well as
people by servant as well as citizen. for all its
guarantees and proyisions-for the preservation
OF the freedom Of speech and the liberty OF the
press-for an honest and economical admins


tration Of the Government, the faithful guar
dianshp of the public credit. AID the prompt
punishment OF treasury plunderers and against
all encroachments upon State or individual
rights-agaiust the irresponsible exercise by
public servants of powers not delegated in the


Constitution-against oppression Of every de-
scrption-against sectionall-m in all its as
pects-against underground railroads and John
Brown raids - and finally and especially
against all attempts by the Federal Govern
ment to suhjugate States or dye>t their gov
ernments or people of any Of the powers or
privileges which they have heretofore exercised
or enjoyed


Resoired, That the so called " Right Of Sc
cession." claimed by many politicians and cti-
ZenS of STATES now in arms against our Federal
Government. is inconsistent with all govern
ment. and denial of the fundamental principle
Of all Democratic Republics 1t is Just as
false to-day as it was only few years or
months ago. when it was claimed. by Northern
abolitiosists and at least one Northern Legis
la;ure, and should be condemned and opposed
By all good men. at all times, as tending to the
abrogation Of law and the Inauguration of civ
il war. And denying the right of Secession,
we declare that the present rebellion against
Federal authority. aud the attempt TO over
throw. by resort to force, the best Govern
ment which the sun ever shone upon. is both
unreasonable and criminal-an indefensible vi
Olatioa Of all the pledges which citizenship i'm
plies and such an outrage against humanity
and civilization as even the aggresSions and
menaces Of Northern aboiitiOnists, during thir
ty years Of vengeful warfare upon Southern
institutions, cannot justify or palliate.


Resolred, That while this civil war continues.
it is our duty and the dnty of all loyal citizens
to render to the Government Il cheerful and
earnest support; to stand by it in the enforce
ment of all constitutional measures tending to
the suppression of armed rebellion; to give its
officers. so far as they are true to the trusts re-
posed in them, the aid aud comfort which nay
be derived from our moral Influence and physi
cal resources. And that we extend to those
citizens of our own aud other States who have
responded to the call OF the Government for
that protection which arms alone can give. our
hearty commendation and warmeSt Sym9ahieS
We congratulate them upon the recent bril-
liant victories which their valor has achieved
and bespeak for them when their work shall
have been accomplished and their purpose con /
Summa' ed in the restoration of the Union, the
warm gratitude Of all true patriots


Resolred, That the effort now being made TO
divert this war from its original purpose. as
proclaimed by the President and Congress of
the United States seven months ago-the I
maintenance Of the Federal Constitution and /
the preservation of the Unions integrity-aud /
to turn it into a war for emancipation of slaves /
and the subiugation of the Southern States, or (
their return to q territorial condition, is an /
effort against the Union, against the COnsti.u-
ton, against Justice, and against humanity I
and should be promptly frowaed upon by all /
the friends of Democratic institutions. 1t is 1
unworthy of loyal citizens and can find
support only with sectional fanatics. who have
no love for the Union or desire for its restora /
ton and whose highest patriotism is an unnat /
ura and unrighteous hatred Of the citizens OF
sister States And whereas we perceive graf
flying indications that President Lincoln is /
resisting. and will continue to resist this trea- /
sOnabe effort. it is further resolved, that in such
patriotic resistance be is entitled to and does
continue to receive our cordial sympathy and
unialtering support.


ReSoircd. That to bring the present war to /
a final and happy conclusion. and secure a
union Of hearts as well as union OF hands. it
is absolutely necessary to reaSSure the miSrui-
ded people OF the South that we mean no
warfare upon their rights, and are actuated by I.
no spirit of revenge to diSavow. in the Ian /
guage of Governor Sprague, Is any other wish
than that Of bringing together these now bclg-
erent States, without the loss 10 any one Of
them of Il single right or privilege which it has
heretofore enjoyed; to show, By our acts as
well as by our professions, that our whole pur
pose is 10 preserve our Government Just as It
came 10 Us from the hands of our fathers-to
regard all the guarantees Of the Constitution, F
whether TO States or to the people Of the States /
and to become once more a powerful and
prosperous nation. and harmonious and happy
people. And that. 10 this end, it is the duty
of the Democratic party, not only to preserve
its distinctive organization. but to demonstrate,
by honorable and patriotic measures, both its
determination and its power TO withstand and
render harmless the assault Of Northern see
tionaliSts upon constitutional liberty.


Resoire9, That the effort now being made TO
secure to s1!3IteA citizens in this State their
just political rights meets with our hearty
sympathy, and is entitled to aud shall receive ,
our cordial support; that the purpose Of this
effort is especially commended to Us at this .
time by the promptueSs and unanimily with
which this class Of our citizens are rallying to
the support of our Institutions and that We
urge upon the present General Assembly Of our
State 10 take such measures as are neees- -ary T