Republican herald. [volume], July 31, 1844, Image 2

About Republican herald. [volume] (Providence [R.I.]) 1832-1852

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Providence.
STATE TRIAL.
‘[rare o R. Istasy, &e. vs. Tuomas W, Dorr,
YOI FREANSON.
[ Continned.
CLOSING ARG MENT FOR THYE =IATE,
By JOSEPH M. BLAKE, (Att. General)
Mr B. began by rewmarking, that there had
‘been introduced such a mass of testimony in the
‘case, 5o mauy motions made, and enquinies started,
with whi¢h the jury had nothing to do, that he
feared they might Iyee sight of the true grestion,
and the only one they had 1o decide—whether
i fet the Deft. levied war against the State, as
alleged in the indictment. He said, there were
‘mang sabjeets intimately connected with the
crime for which the Delt. was on trial, ahiout
waich great diversity of opinion hind been enter
tained ; and which, on a proper oceasion, were
worthy of serious discussion; but that on the trial
of the issue betore them, the jury were not re-
Guired or expected to give any opmion,
Mr. 8. then went on to ennmerste some of
them, such as, whether a majority of the male
adalts of the Suate, actually voted for the so called
People's Constitution: and if they diJ, whether
they intended anything wore thauw a siw ple expres.
sion of opinion in Mvor el a witlteo Constitntion
for the State ; bow lur suffrace shonld Le extend.
ed: and what resizence should be required as a
qma'Geation 3 whether & mugority of the People
of a Btate, withont thie assent of the minavity, and
withouat an anthor:ty Oy law, have a nataral rizhe,
Alt Ihelr pleasure te cinl
on compuct, and declire and wake such new
gavernment hndinr onall, With all these, how.
ever imporant, and greatly us disy hud bheen agi
tated during the late distnrbances, the jury were
net to meddle ; all evidence on those points hav.
mg been ruled ont by the Court, leaving them
only to deeide, whether the Doit bhad lovied war
against the State. Ihe did wo levy war, then he
wis guilty of treason==the highest crine known
to the law. That it esnbraced or le® to all other
crimes—murder, repe, sobbery and the whole
catalogne ot huwan travgressions, That itanned
at the sovereignty of the State, avd the subver
sion of all government. ‘T'hatno attetuptat revo
lution ean, by any government, be aduntied as
legal. That there conld be no racker ahsurdity
than a legal or constitutiona! veliellion, "I'hat the
success of rebellion gave it its legality, "T'hat in
despotie govermmuents, attewpis at revolation
were often worally right and putrictie, even when
unsiceessfols becavse, in thew, there might be
no other avatlable wmede of redress of grievances;
aned justiiable, as n the langnage of the Declua
tion of lodependence, when governmen! becomes
destructive of the triue ends off government—the
eecurity of hife, liberty and the narait of happi
ness—and when e/l other menns of redvess have
bheen resorted to perseceringiy, in good fath,
and failed. In no cuse cun suck an atteinpt be
justitied, nnless the change would prowmote the
genera] good—or unless the means ai
adequate to the end. Bad governtont is better
than none—and no condition of a people ean,
from oppression, be so had ks wot to be made
worse, hy frequent insarreciiovs and eivil wur,
Mr. Bike, nest gpalie m terms of comuenda.
tion of the privcipies of Rhode isiand govern-
ment, as secnring the people
and of its correcting itselt’ through d
pablic opinion: and mstanced the existing St
Constitutton, made and adopted by the Freehold
ers liberally extending and securiny the rvizht of
sufivag ..
He, (Mr. B) next took un the bistory of the
siitage caunse i this*State, in renly to the re.
utirks of the prisones. He denied that thero
was any evidence that the Legislatire had ot any
time refused to conlform to what they Lacer ox bee
licred to be the wish of & mujority of the Peoplo
apon tius subject, "That prior to 1221 there nov.
er hind been a majority in favor of @ written Cone
stitation i=he statedthat even a =mull party in
its favor, conld keop up its organizntion, hat for
short times t=—and that the Prizoner himsell, after
he had been instrumrental in that organization,
had once been acandidate for Coygiess, without
making that a test question, or placing his pres
ten ions to support on that ground:—that Le was
un as a Democrat werely, und on that principle
received the suppors of the Demoerane party.
He then proceeded to ¢ review ol the Legisla
tive proeeedings upon the petition ef Elisha Dil
‘ingham and others, presented in Janwary [241,
proyiug for an extenvion of sollvuge | stating that
the General Assemlly promptly responded iliere
to, by calling a Convention to frume a Constitn.
tion: and went onon attempting to show, that the
sobjeet was defeated Ly a fers scheming politi
ciang, and by creating an excitement, to restore
the ascendeney in power, to the deferted Demo
cratic party of the Swte, by kg exception to
the mode in which the Delegates to the Couven
tion were, by the act of the Assembly 1o be elect
~ed, and by thwarting in every thing e sction of
the General Aszsembly.
After disposing in" Lis own way of this part of
the subject, he went on to a consideration of the
conrextion subsisting between the general and
Sude governments, attempting to shew the great
supenorty of the American, over all other foras
of govermuent, and the confidence felt 1 the sta
vty -of the foiaer, derived from the general dif
fusion of intelligence awmong the people=—thewr
unlimited contidence in public opinion as a cor
recuye=—and in ther reverence for the laws until
chauged in conformity to law.
“ But, (sard Mr. B ) the sagesavho founded our
mehtiakions were fully aware of the danger, and
with the wisest [orecast provided against it. - And
constructed us eur national govermment is, and
as onr State Governments are, and connected to
gether as they are, we have o more cfivetual sale
guard against revolution, than 13 possessed, or
ever was possessed, by any other nation on carth,
We look 1o ihe Federal Goveirnmoent to regulate
sour intercourse, with foreign uations, and to pro
tect us against foreign aggression: butit is not a
mere etfectua! defvnse against assanlts flom with.
out, than againsl domestic fuction und insurree
tion. T'he states are severcign within their
spheres, but all ure intimately connected togeth
er. The sovereignty of ene cannot be atlveted,
without ativeting the sovereignty of all. No one
of them can be stricken from its erbit, without
distibing, it not destroying the whotn system
“ By the federal Constitntion, the United States
are to gnaranty to the several states the republic
can forms of govarument existing when the consti
tutwon was adopted, and protect thew against do
westic violence., The State governwents being
thus perotected by the Goeneral Goverameat, it in
hardly possible that a faction can ultimately pre
vail by foice in sny of the States.” From these
remises Mr. B. argued that no successtul I¢bel-
Izon or revolulion could ever occur in this country
—however it inight originate or however widely
sprexd, until a great mujority of the people of a
majority of ali the States shall become infatnated
for the horrors of war, ratiier than resori to the
peacetud remedy of the ballot box.
Mr. B, next proceeded to say, that the Deft.
wiss aware that the United States would be hound
upon application of the Governor or the Legisla
tare, to protecithe Siate against domestic violenee;
and iutended to callin forees from other States
to resist the power of the genersl government and
cominit T'reasonagainst the United Statesalso:and
ingis'ed that admitting the extent of tue gricvances
to lave been such s wonld Justily revolution,
still, he had vo rgit 1o resort 1o aims, unless he
hiad adeguate means W isiie snccess, or strong
reason for believing so. ‘That with al the aid
derived from the sympathizers wt the Fewter Mug
and Taniany Hall, New-York, his whole force
either at Federal Hill or Che pachet, was bt 560
or 400 men ! This was the extent of his iieans,
and with them he commenced a revolution of this
State aud the United States. Bat, (said Mr. 1)
the prompt actwn of our owen authorities, and of vur
oun citizens vendered the interposition of the power
of the general gorermment wnzecessary. Khode
Lland proved able to take care ol hersell, The
spinit that was wita her early citizens in their
siruggle for regul.ted liberty, is still alive, and
bier sons still possess hearts to cherish, and arms
Vigorons 1o defend her institntiops, against assaulte
browm within or without !
LAt this point Mr. B. intimated to the Count,
that Le proposed now to eonsider the question
which Lad bLeen previously argned to them Ly
the Prisoner’s counsel and lymseif, viz: whether
Treason can be committed aguinst an individual
Siate,
Durfee Ch. Jus =lt is unnecessary for you Mr,
Attorney to take up any tune onthat poiat. The
Cowt gre unanimons iy opinion on that point,
Mr. Blake =% wice then, gentlemen of the Ju
ry, the Court decun it unuecessary for me to sy
anything on that suljeet, we wny well take it for
granied, that treason way be commitied uguinst
a Ste. That levying war ugainst o Siate 15 not
pecessarily treason against the Uiilt:fl States, bt
i Ueuson against the Swte. There is no dispute
ne o what 8 Jevying war, “An assemblage of
pmen for the purpose of nuking war against the
govermuent, and in 8 couditon to make it, (not
0 ke it suecessiully ) is evying wor—is trea.
son. ““‘W"‘ and Wm‘“"x wen, are sutlicient
avert acts, without coming to battle, lan anny
avowing hostlity to the government, should
warch swld countermareh betore the encmy, and
then disperse, without firing a gun, it would bae
levying war.” Mr. B said he had intended to
go into an examination of the testimony, but the
Deft hod admitied the facts, and he did not know
that he might not with safety have asked [or a
verdict against him, as upon @ coufession wade in
open Court. Tt was, however, he said, proved
and admitted, thay the Deft, eolleeted forees,
commisstoned otlicers, and diretted the troops as
their commander, in- May at Providence, and in
June at Chepachet=that he attempted to tike
the publie property, and ordered the guns to be
tired apon those who defended it—that the troops
under ~‘.. command took prisoners of war, aud
conducied i all respects like a hostile anmy .
That the objeet of all these movements was to
overthrow the existing governtent and to estub
lish another in its stead. That the whole case
was made out. Butitiscontended (said Mr. B.)
that in ull these proceedings, the wmotiees of e
Delt. were pure and patriotie, and not traitorons,
You can judge of a man's motives only by his
acts, There 1s no process for seeing the work
ings of the heart, by which to determine the se
cret springs of action. The Deft. says he did
not intend to commit treason, But he mtention
ally Tevied war against the State, and the lawe
makes that treason, whatever else he might have
mtended, The law atlixes the intent 1o the net,
A man who should bum his neighbor's dwelling,
might as well set up in defence that he did not
imtend it shonld be arson. A wman accused of
e wight bave a good defense on the ground
that be tool the goods by mistake; but it would
hard'y do for Lim at this day, to admit the inten.
nonal takine, and eontend |l)l’rl' Lie did not itend
to commit thett, for the owner was rich, and he
sincerely believed a more equal distribntion of
properiy would promote the public welfare, |
suppose (said Mr. ib) there never was a rebellion,
i which some of the parties implicated did not
believe their conduct yustutiable § but « jury con
aot cousider that yuestion. "The pardoning power
may 3+ Juries and Courts wust be governed by
the law and the evidence, Did the Deft. levy
war ! is the only question yon have to answer
by your verdiet; and there 18 no way for avoid
m the question, for the facis are all proved and
advntted, He has given youn a history of his ar
raying troops, of the attack upon the arsenil, of
his leaving the Siate, of his eneampment at Che
pachet, and his plan of attacking the forces of the
United States. s it not astonishing that a man
ot mtellizence, ina country like this, more bles
sedd in her political mstitntions than was ever any
ather eonntry on earth, should openly admit his
intention to overtarn the government of his na
tive State by eivil war, and carry on the war, if
necdbe tor the attiinment of his purposes, against
the United Btates, and detatl the partuculars of
the whole affair, as though it were a matter of
every day ocenrrence, and as coolly, and with as
litthe ecmotion, as lie would detail the progress of
a negotiation for merchandise, or any other busi
ness transaction! He wouold even arraign the
Connsel who opened for the Government, and
place him on the defensive, becanse he character
-Ized the treasonable acts of the Delt. as they are
chira terized by law. He would have had him
cancede that in his attempts to shoot down his
fclow ertizens, his motives were most honorable
and disinterested, and for aught I know most
benevelent and christian.”
übs .u‘dsl)’
Ol‘l‘l'\'flfill‘".
force of
Mr. B procecded to say, that no swall portion
of the Defts, testimony was irrelevant to the Issne
the jury were teving ; but intended for efleet out
of Court that althengh he well might, he did not
ohject to s introdaction j==yet that on the part of
the Government, none had been offered, which
hiad not n dweet bearing on the gquestion before
the Jury, Soch matters as hal been thus thrown
into the case by way of embellishments Lie should
not stop 1o discuss g bat merely allnde 1o some
portion of the testinony in justice to sote of
the witnesses whose eredilnhty wa- impeached,
[ Heve Mr. Blike at some length attempted to
sustiin the testiimony oft Mr. Orson Mofilitt, but
otfered no additional light on the subjeet 5 by the
time he concluded the topic it was quite darl,
and the Conrt took a recess until half past 8
o'clock . M. at which thne Mr. B, continued his
argimment as follows:)
My, Blake next commmnented on the testimony of
Col. W. P. Blodget and E. H. Hazard, that they
without doubt heard what they swore, althongh
none of the Delt's, witnesses should have heard
the same, they might also huve sworn to expres
sions nsed by the prisoner, which neither Blodg
et nor Nazard conld recollect 3 and that the ehar
acter of the two government witnesses were 100
well known to require any vindication,
Mr. B next reviewed and commented on the
testimony ol Richard Kuoight, taking oceasion to
sueer at the prisoner for attempting to vindieate
himself” from the charge of the opening connsel
that <ome portion of the troops at Chepachiet were
blaeks=and becanse the attempt was wiade argu
g that the prizoner did pot admit that blacks had
any sonls or any civil or political rights,
‘ It is contended said Mr. B. that whatever acts
Cwere done by the Dett. connected with the ehar-
Cges Lavd o the indictinent, he did as the agent, in
Cthe name and dor the benetit of the People, and
Ctherctore you are urged to infer the puarity and
Cpatriodan of his motives, Now what portion of
Cthe People was he the agent of 7 and how many
ol thent were in favor of eivil war? - "Thiere could
‘ not ut thai time Lave been in the State, loss then
six or seven thonsand men in arms 3 how many
Cof them were his followers? Why 234 at the
CArsenal and 250 at Chepachet, these were for
snbverting the State goveinment by a civil war
and therr will he was willing to regard as law
and to saerifice himself in effecting it.
' His own Legislature in May would not give
Chim conntenance i using foree 5 so, soon alter he
[ on Lis own responsibility resorted to it in open
1 definnee oftheir will and anthority, and here Mr. 13,
| commented with some severity on the prisoner’s
Fmotives, urged (0 it as he =aid by the atack made
Cupon the council, and concluded by saving that
1 e (the prisoner,) may have been governed by
principle s if so, it was a cold, abstract principle,
} a principle which petrified the heart.”
The counsel for the Deft, has undertaken to
j ridicule the uwtimonj' of Mr. Hazard, as to the
| olarm, which pervaded the eity of Providence on
‘ the night the Arsenal was attacked, and here Mr.
{3 gave the jury a highly wronght picture of the
{real or imammary terrors that prevaded the eity at
i that time, bat as it did not seem to bear npon the
Lguitor mnocence of the Deft, under the indiet-
Dment, no attempt i 3 herve made to trace it
I Mr. B, resumed the argament by stating that
[ the Dert. declared he should not resort to other
| Riates for atd, unless npon a requisition the Pres-
Cident should order U. 8. Troops to snppoit the
| State anthorities: in that event, he did expect aid,
Cand tended to resist the troops of the United
| Stutes; and he very coolly tells you his design
L was in that event to commit treason as well against
Cthe United States as against this State. For such
Cis the Jaw as laid down by Judge Story in his
Ccharge o the Grand Jury, in this Court Honse,
Cincielation to this very case,
- [Here the Att: Gen'l read a part of the charge
found in Ist Sto. Rep.and then prosceded.
(1t was the Defts antention then, as he admits,
‘ to levy war against the U, States, at the visk of in
volving the whole eountry in all the horrors of civ.
Lil war=—was everso great a work undertaken with
| means so disproportionately smail? with so hitle
Cprospect of suceess Y==was there ever a calamity
Cwo great produced by sotritlingacanse, Adwmitting
[ the establistinent of the People’s Constitation to
have been just and desirabie after the question of
Csntirage bad boen conceded, Lask if the cost, of
Ladecting it, ns estimated by the Deft. himself,
| wouldnothave been greater, infinitely greater,than
the good sought to be obtuined.
- Mr. Bluke nest drew a pictare of some of the
“consequences that must have heen eansed by such
Can attewpt; ond went on to say, that many of the
coriginal mewmbers of the Sujjrage party when they
Cfound the Dett. intended a resortto foree, desert
cd=denounced b, and wok up anns, with the
Charter Troops 1o oppose him; ascribing alter
Call the bloodless isene of the contest, to the over-
Cruling cure of w special Providence, that would
| #till continue to guard and protect us,
Buat it is urged by the Deft. (said Mr. B.) that
L teving b, vouw also try the 14,000 wien who
L voted for the People’s Constitution ; if you were
Ctrying him for voting for the Constitution, that
Citght be true ; but youn are tiying him tor leeying
Lwar; and i any body else, it would be more
Cproper to say the 200 or 300, who were with him,
[und willing 1o carry ont out his plans by force.
| You however are not trying the validity of that
CConsitution, or the legality of the existing ruv-
Cernment s but a naked question of fact. Lhid the
| Delt, levy war, or not? Ihe did, be commitied
L hieanors
| Mr. b pextenlarged on the dnty of the jury in
Cetanding by the law, their own et and the
peace ancd security of the whole alike requiring it
M B conceded there might have been brave
: wen with the Deft |, but very few, and Colonel
Wheeler. who ran off in the fog, he considereda
good lt\‘pe of the insurgents, ns he styled them,
senerally,
M 15 el the jury that all the points of law
| foreed by the Do had been raled against bim by
the Court, but the Defr. after a verdict against him
conld move the Court, fora New tria! or i arrest of
Judgment; or apyly to the Legislatare for a par
don. 'Phatif the Deft did levy war, they must
find him guilty =that had nothing to do with the
law, the Conurt wonld take eare of that, “T'hat the
Deft, himsell, had contessed all the facts, and if
| they refused to find him gailty, it would be the
[ severest biow which they coula intliet upon the
Ludiciuy of the country=the Palladinn ol their
|rights and liberties. The Defl. says that the pub.
e will hold you responsible for the verdiet yon
' nm( render in this case: well be itso, gentlemen,
Cand recolleet that nothing will so hraee vp a man,
Famidst friends or foes, in the conflict of parties,
s being conseions, that in trying times, regard.
Hess of consequences to himselt, he had perform-
Led his duty,
[ Gentlemen, you are the sworn gnardians of the
Claw, ina case of momentous importance-—one
: involving principles that reach to the very foun-
Fdations of eivil government; 1 will not doubt that
‘ vou will prove true to the trnst; without regard
! to persoual, or politieal or party considerations,
[ nor saffer them to deter you from a faithfal per
[Hormanee of the oblizations imposed upon you
| by your oaths, el
[ T 0 be continued .
epublican fHevold.
PROVIDENCE,
Wednesday, Jaly 31,1811,
DENCURATIC CONYENTION MNOMINYTIOY,
oy President,
JAMES K. POLK,
OF I'ENNLESSEL.
For Vice Proesident,
GEORGE M. DALLAS,
Ol' PENNSYLVANIA,
DEISOCIATIC CHONVDIDATES FOR
PIESTIDENVTLAL PHLEUTOKNS:
BENJAMIN B. THURSTON...or Horgisros.
THOMAS CORY .cvvveeeun..oF Porlsvouri.
WILLIAM 1. PEARCE......OoF ProvIDENCE.
ROBERT HAZARD....or Wesrt-Grerswicu,
. s
MR, CLAY, ¢s. THE MAKERS OF THE
CONSTITUTION.
Mr. Cray, in his speech delivered at Ruleigh,
(N. €.y on the 15th of April last, and which has
lntely been revised by him, and pnblished in the
National Intelligencer, saw fit to indulge himselt
ma general denunciation of the whole Demo
eratic party of the conntry, ina manner by no
means becoming an honorable and high minded
man. ‘That he should have avowed himself a
modern \Whig, and the advocate of the dangerons
and anti-democratiec policy of the Whig party, is
notsingalar. Bat, that he should have felt it even
excnsable, to boldly acense the Democratic party
of uniformly entertaining “ a disregard and con
teimpt of the Constitution, the laws and publie
anthority,” is really sarprising. This, certainly,
comes with a bad grace from Mr, Clay, and can
not redound to his honor among sobier and intel
ligent men, What is still more extraordinary, he
adduces as one of the specifications of this
charge, the decision of the House of Represen
tatives, admitting to their seats the members from
the fonr States—Georgia, Mississippi, Miscouri
and New Hampshire, who were elected under
the general ticket regulations adopted by those
States, and in dwsobedience to the late act of a
Whig Congress, reguiring them to be elected by
distriets,
This decision is gravely urged by My, Clay, as
a “contempt and disregard of the Constitution,
the Laws and public authority exhibited by the
Democratic party,” and seriously put forth us the
“prominent and characteristic difference” be
tween the Demoeratic and the Whig party. His
reference to this act, for the purposes he aimed
at, appears to us strange and nnaceonntable
The accasation against the Dewmocratic party is,
their contempt and disregard of the Constitution—
and yet, the act of the democratie party by which
he attempts to prove s acensation, wis an act
in strict obedience and in corformity to the Con
stitution.
It violated no provision of that instrument.-~
On the contrary, it was a proper and constita
tonal exercise of a power specifically granted to
that branch of the Legislature, and which makes
“each House the jndge of the elections, returns
and qualifications of its members."—Art. 1, See. .
The right and power of ench Hounse to judge
of the mode and manner of the election of its
members is as ample and complete as the right
and power are to jundge of their returns and qual
ifications. They are no greater or less in the
one, than in the others—and in all are eqnally ob
ligatory and peremptory. Each may be exam
ined and judged of separately and distinetly,
The proccedings of the Senate at the last ses
sion, on the qualifications of Senator Niles afiord
a full illustration of this position. Neither his
clection, nor the retarn thereof, was the subject
of their adjodication. Whenever, therefore, a
case is presented, wherein either House is ealled
npon to exercize this right, its judgment, be it
what it may, is an act strietly within the Constitu
tion. Who else is to judge insuch cases? From
this judgment there is noappeal. Be it right or
wrong, the injury (if injury be done) is without
aremedy. The power of the House is expend
ed inits judgment. The decision, therefore, be
comes a constitutional act, which there is no oth
er power existing that can overhale or reverse.
The House of Representatives Lad then a per- '
feet constitntional right to judge of the clection l
of the members returned from the fonr States in
question. In puisuance ol this right and power, \
they did so judge. They found that the elections
had procecded in all respects agreeably to the |
regnlations adopted by the Legislatures of those ‘
States, by virtue of, and in strict confermity toan
express provision of the Constitution. These
regulations directed the clections to be wade by
the whole State, and not by disiriets.
The House allowed and confirmed this mode of
elcction, and admittted the members so chosen to
their seats. Was not this a clear, perfect and un
questionable constitutional act? Did it transcend
the power expressly granted to each house of Cou
gress! This decision must then be admitted 10
be within the constitution, or the power of each
House “to judge of the election of its members,”
becomes obsolete and nugatory, Yet, Mr. Clay
strangely seizes npon it, as conelusive proof that
the whole Democratic party of the Union enter
tain and exhibit “ contempt and disregard for the
Constuntion!'!! lle alone appeals from this
decision, and assumes a power (nowhere to be
found in the Constitution) to impugn and re
verse it, He arrogantly holds appellate jurisdie
tion over the subject, and proceeds to arraign the
Judgment of the House, as * one prominent and
characteristic difference, which (says he) eminent
ly distingnishes the respeet and deference uni
formly displayed by, (the Whig party) and the
disregard and contempt exhibited (hy the Demo
eratic party) to the Conetitution, the laws and pul
lic au hovity.”
Wherefore is this wholesale accnsation wmade ?
Becanse the Hounse legally refused to disanuul the
elections of members rightfully and constitution
ally made by the people of fonr sosercign States,
in pursnance of the mole divected by the Legi -
lntures thereof, and beeuse it disregarded the act
of the last Whig Congress requiring the elections
o be wade by distreict,
T'his is the position Mr. Clay, as it appears to
e, has antortanately aonmed, Whatever re
spect his opinious ore entitled to, we are com
pelied to disagree with hiniin this, Was this act
of the last Whig Congress paramonnt to every
thing else ¥ If 50, it efdectenily nullified the right
of the House to julee of the clections, and ab
rogated from the Constitution this speeific and
express power, The act and thas power oppose
coch other. ‘They are irreconeiluble. DBy the
Constitution, the Legislatnres of the States hac
a perfeet right to direct the clections by the whole
State. This law abrogated thisa right, and re
quired the Legislatures o ke them by districts,
It left the power of the Houwse untouched, "The
House had, therefore, o perfvet constitutional
rightto judge which mode was the proper one,
Nor was this act entirely frce from constitutional
objections. For over filty years practice under
the Constitution, no Congress ever before at
tempted to make or alter the regulations of the
several Sute Legi-lutures, T'ins extraordinary
innovation was left to Le made for the first time,
by the last Whig Congress. I'a objects are ob
vions., At the tune it was passed, the Whig par
ty commanded a mjority ol the State Legislie
tires, By commanding them to district the
States, it was designcd to secure, and perpetuats
a Whig majority in the House of Renresenta
tives Mr. Clay told 14, that, with this act “ eves
ry Whig Siate, whose Legisliture assembled in
time afler its passoge. stricdy complied and laid
ofl their respective States into districts accord.
ingly,” whi'e the four Htate< mentioned * refuse
ed to conforin to the law, treated at with con.
temptnous neglect, and suffered the election for
members of the Honse ol Represcutatives to pro
ceed in total disregard of its provisions " It is
clear, then, the passage of this act was a Whig
measure to achicve improperand partienlar \Whig
ends, Was it a constitntional aet 7 No clause
in the Constitution more serionsty jeopardised its
adoption, than this identical cliuse under which
this act was passed, Nor could it ever have been
adopted, without the explanaiions and construc
tions given toit, by those who made it in the
State Conventions assembled to adoptit, The
power of Congress over the election of the
members of the House was justly viewed by the
people with great jedlousy and alarm. T'o quiet
this jealonsy, and obviate all ohjcctions, the miak
ers of the Constitution had to explain what the
Convention intended by the clause. By their
explanation and construction o i, it will be scen
that Congress was restricted from exercising the
power claimed by Mr, Clay, for this act, to such,
cases only in which the state Legislatures, should
negleet or refuse, or by aceident or design, owmi t
to appoint represeatatives, But, where the Leg -
islatures appointed regnlations for the election ¢
Representatives, dhe right to muke or alter ther 1
was clearly devied to Congress. For this rea -
son, that the House could not be dissolved fo
want of an election, Learned commentators ont
the Constitution confirin this construction, and
majority of the Siates proposed to amend this
clanse =0 as to restrict Congress from exercising
this power only in such enses. We place Mr,
Clay. and the makers of the Constitation in par
allel columns, that all may see the reckless accn
sation which he has so unadvisedly made against
the entive Demoeratic party ol the Union
From Mr. Cloy's Spm-h.l'l'lzc Mlakers of the Con
There is one prmni-!
nent and characteristic|
ditYerence between the”
two parties, which o-:ni-!..1
lwml_\'l|i~lillgui~|w-~tlu-m:«
and which, if there wepe
no other, would be suf.!
ficient todecide my jadeay,
ment. And that i:, thels
respect and deferencel|
uniformly displayed by ":
the one, and the disre-|,
gard and contewmpt exlii-|h
bited by the other, to thet!
constitntion, to the |fm'»;.'.'
and to publie anthority. |,
* * ' " i!‘
It is far from my inten-|"
vion or desire to do lhv:',..‘
least injnstice to the par- ¢
ty to which T am “l'l“"‘i"‘
ed s but T think that i
asserting the chavacter-|,
istic tliflgronce llelwve"!lr
the two parties. which 1
have domne, T am fully§
borne out by facts, to|”
<ome of which, only, on|y
this occasion, can | re
fer, and these shall all be "'
of a recent nature, .
The first, 1o which 1
call your attention, ha-©
occurred daring the pre
seitsession of(‘onzrvu.'n
The variety in the mode|s
of electing members to)!
the Honse of Represen L'
tatives of the United|.
States, some beinyg cho-|e
sen by the whole States |
and others by separate|
distriets, was long a sub-y,
jectof deep and gencval)
complaint, i
* - » » o
Well, the last Whign
Congress, in order to|
prevent the abuses, :uuii"
to correct the ineqnalityy,
arising out of the diwr-l-»
modes of electing mein-|!
bers of the Honse nl'f;:
Representatives, passed),
an act requiring that 1|
should be uniform and|’
by districts, This aet])
was in conforinity with|y
anexpress grant of pow |
er contained in the con-|’
stitntion of the United ;;
States, whieh declares|s
that ““the times, places ||
and manner of holding|’
elections for Senators,|,
& Representatives, shallls
be preseribed in each)®
‘ State hy the Legislature|,
thiercoly but the Congressl,
| may, at any time, by law)t
malie or alter such re :_mla-l'
tinns, exeeptas to the place),
of choosing Senators."—|,
- With that reasonable and |l
Cequal, and just act of !
CCongress every Whig“
i State, whose l.c'gislntllrflii
| assembled in time alter):
| ils passage, strictly com I‘
plied, and laid off their,
' respective States into
| distriets accordingly. '
‘ But the four fimtml.;
- with Democratie Legis-,
latures, of Georgia, Mia.
| siseippl, Missouri, and|
New Hampshire, n!fm-“
!ml to conformn to the
Inw, treated it with con. s
temptuons negleet, and|
sutiered the eleetion l’m’j
[ mewbers of the Hounse|
|of Rrrrcnvnlnlivm to
i proceed in total disre-|
gard of ite provisions
| The question recently
‘r:mm up in the Honse
':md the members from
| the four States were ad
-1 mitted to their seats,
The resnlt of the Louisiana eleetion, as given
in the New Orleans Herald, allows the Whigs 31
and the Democrats 28 members of the House
The Republican elaims 1 member, whose politics
are not designated, as a Demoerat. Another
member, Stitle, is claimed by both parties. The
Convention stands 45 Democrats ; 28 Whigs,—
Doston Post, -
To the Convention of Massa
neetts, Caleh Strong said:
S power to reguliote the
setions of sur federal repres
ntatives muost be Jodged
mewhere, 1 know of but
‘o bodies wherein it can be
Joodeethe legislaturcs of
e sceveral states—and the
neral Congrress M the Leg
ative hodies of the States,
1o must be supposed to know
what time umfin what pluce
dmanuner, the elections can
st he held, should o appoint |
em, it cannot be supposed |
at Congress, by the power
anted by this section, will
or them, Baty if the legis.
e of a State shoold refuse
make such regulations—the .
nsequence will be, that thy
procentatives will not b
vsen, and the General Gov- -
pent will be dissolved, 1
ch eoce, can gentlemen say ,
ata power to remedy th
il s not negessary to boy
Jzedsomewhere. Aud wher
u it Le lodged, but in Con.
nas ! Elliot’s debutes vol, 1.
In the Convention of New
wk. the Hon, Mr, Jay said :
“Taot as far as he unders
yod the ideas of the gentle
-17, he seemed to have doubts
th respectto this paragraph,
A Cared it might be mis
netrued and übnsed, He ‘
id that every Government
woimperfeet unless it hod a
wer of preserving itselfi—
ippose that by design or ac
tent the States shonld neg
“Ltoappoint representativesy:
rtainly there ulil’oulcl be some
nstitntional remedy for this
il t'he obvious meaning of
o paragraph was, that if thiss
gloct shonld take place,
maross should have power,
* law, to support the Gove
nment, and prevent the dis
lution ot the Union. He bhe
wed this was the desiga of
00l convention,———
id, 280,
So inthe Virginia Conven
m, Mr. Nicholas said :
“AC the State Legislature,
acerdeat, desigun, or any
her canse, would not appoint
placo for holding elections,
en there might be no elees
L the time was past, for
hich they were to have been
sy and as thiswould ev
ently put an end to the Un
n, it oughit to be gnarded a
st by giving this disere
mary power to Congress, of
tering the time, place and
anucr of holding the elee
s, I is absurd, to sup
we that Congresswill eaert
¢ poreer, or change the time,
ace wond manner esteblished
v the States, if the States will
alate them properly, or so
not to defeat the purposes
"the Union=Virgiuia de
ies 19,
Junc e Brory, in comment
£ upon this section, among
har things, says—"lt 1s not
o much, therefore, to pre
une, that it will not be re
wied to by Congress, until
iere has been some extraor
mury abuse or danger in
aving it to the diseretion ot
1o Stutes respectively
Agnin="* A period of fe rty
enrs has since passed by,
ithout any attempt by C on
ress to imake any regulutions,
¢ interfere in the sligh test
ogree with the election s of
yembers of Congress.”
Chaneellor Kent,in his com
ients on the same point, says: ‘
The Legislature of each
tute prescribes the times, ‘
laces nud manner of ho ‘ding
lections, subject, however, to
e tnterforence and contr olof
ongress, which is perm ‘tted
hem (or their own pres«rea
fon, but which it is presumed
ey will rever be dispos «d to
xereise, ucr‘pl whea any
tate shall neglect or refyse to |
ke adequate provisio « for
he purpose,”=Vol, 1. 232 |
Even Mr. Hamilton's views
re in exact accordance with |
hesc—see No, 59 of The Feds
ralict, |
£ The N Y. Joninal of Commeree comimits
o gross error in supposing we know more ahout
the * composition’ of the late mob in Philadel
phia than iself. We were never at a** chinreh
burning'’ in our lives. It however commits a still
greater mistake in supposing a siwmilarity in *prin
ciple’” between what it chooses to eall the “Dorr
treason’’ and the Philadelphia riots. The Jour
nal of Commeree did not #o learn or nnderstund
that principle in the beginning of the sullrage
movement. Atthat time we hailed that paper as
a co-worker in the work of reformn. It took
American ground, and maintained in regard to
the sovereigaty of the People, that Washington,
! Jeflerson, ilancock, Aduws, and “id omre senus”
\of onr Revolntionary fatiers, It led the sutlrago
party on to battle, or greatly enconraged them in
their nudertaking, I the Journal of Commerce
will have the goodness to turn back to its own pa
| ges, in 1842 it will see it went the whole, for the
¢ Dorre treason.” 1t then had no reservations or
pusillanimous noticns, that the suflrage move
| ments must be “ in subordination to the existing
government.,” It then assumed the noble posi.
tion of the Declaration ol ludependence, that
i whenever any form of government became de
stroetive of its ends, <lt is the right of the people
to alter or abolish it, and to institute new govern
ment”"—not the “ people in subordination to the
existing governmment,” but the prorre ALoNE,
whenever their happiness required it. - Saoch, in
substance, wus the tone of the Journal of Com
merce in its former days—in its better days; we
do not mean its hetter duy <, in any pecuniary point
ol view, of conrse, bhut those days when it spoke
as an independent pro-.-u‘uugh! to speak in regard
to the rights of man; when it maintained the doc
trines of the Revolution, holdly and manfully, in
respect to the soverciguty of the people. But,
in the langnage of the noble Sydney, « What
was truth then is treason now'—what was pure
American doctrines in 42, is “ Dorr treason” in
*4t——what was sound principle in the begining
of the sufirage movewent in Rhode Islund, is
Philadelphia mobocraey now ! Tt is legal and
rig it to maintain good prineiples, but it is wrong
to reduce those principles to practice. There is
no question as to the sovercignty of the people
in the abstract,but the people must never exercise
this right, under any circumstances whatever,
unless “in saubordination to the existing govern
ment.”" According to the Journal of Commeree,
the people must endure tyranny and oppression,
until it pleases the * existing government’” to
grant themreliel; and when the people of Rhode
Island nudertook to stand upon that rock upon
which our forefathers stood in '76, it is < Dorr
treason.” “Oh, what a falling off' is there !”
For more than forty years had the people of
this State been striving for reforin. They had
sought forrelief from the * existing government”
from 1757 up to 1854, aud the Charter govern
ment was as deaf’ and obstinate in "41 as it ever
had been belore. "The landhelders and their
eldest sons possessed all the politieal power in
the State, and they exercised it just as they pleas
ed. "T'wo thirds of the male mhabitants, over 21
years, were disfranchised. Huandreds of them
paid ®Mxes, did military daty, &e., bat had no
right to vote. Bat becanse the people resoried
to their original, inlierent sovereign power for
redress; that power which was established and
maintained by the blood of onr forefathers 5 that
power which has been judicially recognized as
legitimate and constitutional by our learned
jndges and jurists, (saving and excepting our
learned Court of Rhode Island,) they are traitors
We have always understood that treason was
a crime which coald only be committed against
a sovereignty 5 but, according to the Journal of
Commerce, it may be committed against a defunet
close corporation, for siuch was the old Charter,
If our Declaration of Independence is correct,
the people are sovereign. The old maxim, there
fore, that the ** soverciguty cannot commit trea
son,”’ must be reversed, in order to snit the doe
trine to Algerine views. T'he Algerines maintain
and have maintained from the beginning of the
Rhode Island ditliculty, that the greater or sovor
eign power can comimit treason against the lessor !
The trial and condemnation of Gov. Dorr was
solely npon this principle. The People’s Con
stitution had been adopted by the greater power,
the sovereign power of the State, and Mr. Dorr
had been chosen as Gevernor aunder it; and for
executing the duties of his ollice, hoe was indicted
for treason, and after a mock erial, eendemmned to
the State’s prison for life, by the lesser power,
an “armed wminority,” aided by the President of
the United States!
In the person of Gov. Dorr, the sovereignty of
Rhode Tsland has been most wickedly erushed,
and the doctrinesof the Revolution setat defiance !
And this prostration of liberty, the Journal of Com
merce cails * Dorr treason;” and so did the Ox
ford Doctors, after the trial of Sydney and his
execution, anathematize lis writings, as ** blas
pliemous political heresies.” But the revolution
of 1638, repealed his attainder, and embalmed the
memory of the martyr in the hearts of every phi
lanthropist in Christendom. Does the Journal
of Commerce wish to be considered an ** Oxford
Doctor™ in polities—if" not, let it retrace its steps
and return to s fivst love : atall events, let it
compose itself and read the Congressional Report
on the Rhode Island question, before he chaiges
home upon the State of Rhode Island “ Dorr
treason’’ again. =
£77 The Whigs of New Brunswick, N. J.,
called a political meeting on the 224, and in or
der to induce a full attendance gave notice that
a gentleman of eminence, in the legal profession,
and one of their most eflicient inen, would ad
dress his fellow citizens on the oceasion. This
promised speaker, in the course of the afternoon
fell in company at a tavern, with some wicked
wags, perhaps they were demos, who induced
him to imbibe champagne copionsly, as Whigs
were wont to do in the hard cider canvass for
the Presidency. IHe was rescned by his Whig
friends and carried to the meeting. The full an
ditory had listened impatiently to a long harangue
of a dull speaker, and at its close, expected a
rare treat of eloquence from the gentleman who
had been announced ; when to their mortifica
tion and chagrin, they discovered that the cham
pagne had done its work, and he was as mute as
a smoked herring. 'T'oo much corned to be rons.
ed into action. The meeting dissolved, the mem
bers venting their maledictions on the wicked lo
cos, because one of their own pure Clay Whigs
had got drunk, and was “an used up man."
Tur Wma Press axp Wiie Orarons.—The
N. Y. Herald closes an article on the chances of
Clay’s election by the Whigs, in these extremely
flattering terms:
“Their wandering orators and minstrels are a
set of miserable wretches, generally speaking,
withont brains or common sense, and their party
organs are equally injndicions and ineflicient.”
Thia compliment, it should be remembered, is
bestowed by a nentral paper, and of course can
not be charged to the acconnt of partisan preju
dice.
1757 By the politeness of Mr. Ross, we teceiv.
ed on Sunday, the New York Sunday Times of
that day, which was conveyed by the Long I<land
Railroad, just completed. This new road i« 02
mwiles in length, very level, through a delightiul
country, and will reduce the time of a passage
from New York to Boston to mne hours ; so that
a traveller may take an early breakfast at one of ‘
those cities, and dine at a fashionable honr in the
other. l
IMPRISONMENT OF GOV, DORR.
The New York Werking Man's Advocate of
Hatnrday containg the proceedings of' a meeting
of the National Reform Association, the chiel ob.
jeet of which mecting was to consider a proposi
tion of the Central Committee for the constitn.
tional liberation of Gov. Dorr. The following
resolutions were read and unanimonsly adopted,
Whereas it is manifest to this Associations, that
Thowas W. Dorr, now imprisoned in Rhode Isl
and, charged with having committed the crnne of
treason against that state, is an innocent, rerme
cuted, and highly estimable wan, and is snifering
under a eruel, vindictive, and whoily unjust sen.
tlenee;
Be it resolved by this Association, that it is the
daty of all the fricnds ol ¥uke surrnace in this
Republie, to exertall constitutional means to pro
cure the liberation of the said Thowas W, Dorr,
Resoleed, 'That the Committee be direeted to
send one or wore mewbers of this Association to
Rhode Island, and such other States of the First
Cirenit as may be expedient, with instructions to
use all constitutional weans to procnre the earlis
est release of the said Thomas W. Dorr, which
the nature of the case will adwmit of,
Resolved, That Fraueis C, Preadwell, Attor.
ney and Connsellor at Law, in the States of
Maine and New Hampshire, is hereby directed to
proceed to Rhode Island, make inquiries and lake
such wmcasures ns he way deew bhest calcnlated to
ndvance the objeets of this meeting 3 and that we
heurtily commmend him to the conlidence and sup
port of the friends of frecdom wherever he may
sojonrn,
Resoleed, "That snbzeriptions he reccived by the
Committee, and by the persons ¢coployed by this
Association, to aid in obtaiuing the hberation of
Thomas W. Dorr, for the purpese of defriying
the expenses which may be incureed therehy,
Mr. Treapwerr was then requested to give his
views on the case of Gov. Dorr, which he did, al*
ter sowme preliminary observations. by reading a
written docament, exlibiting a thorongh view of
the covstitutional points connected with the nu};-
Jeet, showing that the U, 8. Constitution, the
lnws of the United States, and (what some peo
ple consider sull more important) Judge made law,
are against the imprisonment of Gov. Dorr, for
the alleged crime of treason against the State,
there being no sneh a thing as trea<on against a
State, which was nat alse treason against the Unis
ted Stales.
Themeeting wasthen addressed by Messrs, Vale,
Cominerford, Bowie, Ming, Newman and Ev
ansg, the chairman, Col. Ming’s address is stated
to have been masterly and eloguent, * His ap
peals in favor of Gov. Dorr's liberation were rap
tarously applanded by the meeting.”
The ehairinan remarked that the Associution,
was organized to accomplish a great national
measure, and they wanted the votes of every man
to accomplish that measure. T'he Land Pirates
of Rhode lsland deny the right of sulfrage to the
poor of that state ; this, therefore, was one reason,
and, in his opinion, a very important one, why
the Association had te do with the cuse ol Gov,
Dorr. What the landed aristocraey of RLode Isl
and and of Enzland were now doing to withhold
the right of sutirage, the same aristocracy else
where would do i they conld get powers in proof
of which he mentioned the law passed in New
Jersey,afew yearsazo, (batsineerepealed.) deny
ing the right of suffrage to poo: men who, through
sickness or want of employwent, could not pay a
tax ! and the present attempt to exelnde foreign.
ars from the polls. These, he said, were begin
nings, which would be hutit upon hy a lunded ar
isocracy, it the people do not resist the first en
croachments,
From the New York Evening Post.
Tue Ruove Istaxp axp Puininerrma
Casks.—=A correspondent sends us the follow
ing observations: * The Journal of Commerce
speaking of the Rhode Island suffrage party,
attempts to identily the principles of it with
those of the Philadelphia rioters. No greater
encouragement could be ofiered to the further
exertions of the mobites in Philadelphia, than
such a comparison furnishes: nor could two
things more completely dissimilar be compared
tozether. T'he vioters in Philadelphia were
opposing laws of their own enacting, resisting
officers of theirown appointment, and attempt
g the overthrow of a constitution of their
own adoption. The Rhode Islanders lived
under a royal charter which, of course, con
tained no provision for amendment or altera
tion ; it denied the right of suffrage to all but
freeholders and their oldest sons and the legis
lature, il they acted in conformity with such
a charter, could take no step toward adopting
a new one. What did the suffiage party do?
For more than forty years they petitioned for
relief; but their legislature refused action,
while the conservative members declured they
had no right at all, under the charter, to act
in the premises. The great mass of the citi
zens looked around upon those of the neigh
boring states, and found no equality in their
respective conditions. Compared with others,
the Rhiode Island men were little better off
than Russinn serfs. What was to he done?
This they did: They convened the people
in primary assemblies ; established a corres
pondence throughout the state; held meet
mgs and elected delegates to a couvention,
wiere they adopte! the plan of a coustitution
tor the state, and submitted the same to the
people, who met in every town, and by a large
majority of votes, approved and adopted the
new counstitution. An election under the new
law was held for members of the legislature
and for Governor: it was peac~ably conduct
ed and all the officers daly qualified, com
menced the discharge of their official duties ;
when the mal-contents rose up against the
newly appointed officers and resorted to, or
threatened violence. In this fearful crisis a
few hundred men assembled and took a posi
tion to defend the legislature against rebelifon,
ant fortified themselves to presceve order and
uphold law ; but demagogues who had so long
trampied rough shod npon the rights of their
feliow citizens, backed by the Journal of Com
merce, and aided by United States troops,
drove olt'the friends of equal rights, and adopt
ed a more aristocratic form of government,—
And to call things by their right names—
* might has overcome right.' Thus ends the
chapter.”
Tue Puitavevemia Riwors.—The minnte state
ment of Gen. Cadwallader before the Court of
investigation at Philadelphin, completely justifies
the military in the action they took to snppress
the riot. They were compelled to fire, ns well
to protect themselves against the furious assanlts
of the mob, as to restore peace by clearing the
streets of the rioters. The examination of a dep
nty sherifi’ proves that the mob was engaged in
an actual assanlt on the church when the military
arrived on the gronnd. “'Thns,” says a corres
pondent of the N. Y. Herald, ** have the Sonth
wark and Philadelphia peolitical * natives’ been
driven from every stand they have taken, and
from every argnment they kave assnmed against
the propriety of the condnet of the eivil anthori
ties and the military.” * * * «“They now
stand branded as having engendered treason, riot
and murder, in their course previous to the late
outbreak, and with being the apologists, if not
the abettors, of these crimes subsequent thereto.”
Gexeva axp Rome.—A neat little volume is for
sale at Stillwell's, entitled ** Rome Papul as por
trayed by prophecy and history.” It is from the
pen of Professor Gaussen, and translated and
furnished witk an introduction by Rev. Mr. Bick
ersteth, Rector of Watton, Eng. It is written in
a clear and conspicuons style, contrasts the Ro
man with the Reformed Church, showing that
the former has a hfe and energy in proselyting,
while the latter is inanimate and inert, and con
cludes by an able examination and exposition of
a chapter in the propheey of Daniel,
%7 The words gauge and gauger, which of
ten ocenr in the papers, are spelt wrong nine
tenths of the times, the u being generally placed
before the a=thns guage, guager. I« this from
inattention or ignorance ?
[ The pamphlet edition of the Report of
Gov, Dorr’s Trial will be out early next week.
OURSLLVES,
While it becomes onr daty, so oflen, to speak
of others who are engnged on the political arenn.,
we think we shall be exensed iy dropping a word
or two in relation to ourselves, withont provok
ing the remark, that * the Herald isn't what it is
eracked up to be.” We think it will be gratify -
ing to our Democratic friends to learn that we
have for the past year been enconrnged by a
sieady increase of pagrouage, and that since the
first day of the prescut wouth, one hundred and
tieclee good and approved Demoerats have added
tireir numes to our subscription list, and becoms
the recipients and constant realers of the Her
ald. "I'his is cause, not only of self-gratulation,
as it manifists that our conrse is approved by the
Democratie party, and emphaticaliy says * well
done good and fuitlful servant” of the public und
the people’s cause ; but also of congratulation to
the Friends of Equal Rights, as evidence of the
increase of the numbers of vur party in this and
the neighboring Stuates, The cireulation of the
Herald at the present time, is now greater than
that of any one paper in the State. These testi
monials of approbation thus liberally and without
solicitation bestowed by the political seet, of
whose principles we have long been the ac
knowledged organ, are gratefully received by ue,
and will stimulate us to renewed eflorts in en
forcing the doctrines of popular sovereignty,
equal rights, Jetfersonian democracy, the libera
tion of Thoinas W. Dore, und the election of
James K. Polk and George M. Dallas.
7% At a meeting of the Democrats of this
city, holden on Monday evening July 20h, 1744,
it was unanimonsly NMesolred, that the Commit
tee appointed at the Muss Mecting of the 4ith of
July iust., be requested to issne a call for another
Mass Meeting, to be holden in this city on Wed
nesday, September 4th next, inviting the Demo
crats and all others friendly 1o all legal and con
stitntional means for the Liberation of Gov. Dorr,
in this and other States, to attend and participute
in the doings thereof.
Voted, T'hat a Committee of Correspondence
be appointed, and to consist of the following
named gentlemen, with power to add such num
ber as they way think proper to wake and carry
into eflect, all the necessary arrangements, viz :
Walter R Danforth, Thomas &', Curpenter, Wal
ter 8. Burges, Levi C. Eaton, Benjamin Cowell,
Hezekiah Willard, and Levi Salishuary,
Resoleed, That the interest taken in behall of
the counstitutional liberation of Governor Dorr
and the fricuds of Equal Rights in this State, by
the Naticual Reform Association of the city of
New York, demands and is entitled to onr most
sincere thanks; and we hail this powerul and
etlicient auxiliary in the canse of Freedom and
Equal Rights with gratitude and respect.
Voted, "I'hat the proceedings of this meeting be
published in all the Democratic and other papers
fricndly to the constitutional liberation of Gov,
Dorr.
BENJA. COWLLL, Chairman,
P. B. Srivuss, Sec'ry.
07 The Committee appointed to call « Mass
Meeting for the 4th of September next, are re
quested to meet al the Herald Office, this evening,
at 8 o'clock.
[%7 The Boston Daily Mail contains a repor
of the proceedings of' the ecclesiastical counei
held at Exeter, N. H., for the investigation
the affuir of the affuir of the Rev. Joy L. I
child, who is charged with the seduction of R
Ja Davidson and continned intercourse with h
This young lady was living in his family, <8
according to her testimony before the conucil,
during the absence of hLis wile for a few days in
the country, succeeded by his arts and persua
sions in the accomplishment of his designs,.—
When reminded by his victim of his profession,
he addnced instances from scripture history to
Justify such an interconrse, and adduced the ex
amples of David and Soloman, saying that David
was a good man and had more than one wife,
and that it was not God, but Paul who said that
every man should have his own wife. The ex
amination of this female is long, and her state
ments clear and explicit and apparently true,
and if her testimony is not rebutted by evidence
to impeach her character for veracity, it is a
strong case of the blackest wickedness against
this reverend wolfin sheep's clothing. The coun
cil had not decided the casze, nor had all the tes
timony been heard, whea the report from which
we have made this abstract was received at the
office of the Mail.
Tuearre.~This eveniug the new play of Jack
Sheppard, a drama which created great excite
ment at the theatres of New Yoik will be perform
ed—=Mrs. Thorne sustaining the character of Jack
—a part which she has represented wore than
200 nights in New York and Boston. The teau.
tiful drama of Ella Rosenburg is also to be enact
ed. The entertainments of this evening are for
the bencfit of Mr, and Mrs, Thorne. ‘There will,
doubtle«s, be a great jam on the occasion,
Miss Faxny Joxgs.—The admirers of thisclever
artiste will be pleased to learn that she will shortly
renew her engagement at our Theatre. We ine
sert the following by regnest,
an'mv. JHI)’ Q"". ‘F—“.
The subscriber begs leave to return his sincere
thanks for, and moreover to express his grateful
recollection of the many ucts of kindness exhibited
to the members of his tamily, on their recent visit
to Piovidence, on a professional tour. The
warmth of feeling and hospitality evinced on that
occasion, will live ever, deeply engraven on the
tablets of his memory. ROBERT JONES.
To A. J. ALLuy, {:sq., Providence, R L
[ We yesterday received a request to direct
our semi-weekly Herald, for four mouths from
this date, to “Clay Club, Woonsoket, R. L 1..,”
with which we promply comply, in the hope that
it will be an antidote to the poison contained in
the Whig papers which they read, and be instrue
mental in turning many members of that Club
from the crror of their ways, and gnide their fu.
ture steps in the paths of political trath,
Coxeo Mrromists.~'l'hese Unrivalled Musi
cians from their return Sonth, where they have
been winning golden npinions, are shortly to
make ns a visit. Ounr exchange papers at differ
ent times have spoke of thew in the highest terms,
7% We hava a very great press of matter on
hand, and are obliged to defer many articles. A
communication from Col. Wales will appear on
Satarday.
SranniNe.—On Sunday afternoon last, a
fracas took place near the tavern in Olueyville,
between Robert Jeukins and Aaron C. Miller,
which resulted in Miller's stabbing Jenkins
twice in the breast; he was badly wounded,
Miller was arrested on Sunday evening, by
officers Chaflee and Sheldon, after a partial
examination, was committed to prison for fur
ther examination.—Journal.
Crors 1§ GENESEr.~Our farmers are now
in the midst of the wheat harvest, and seldom
has there been a more abundant erop of a bet
ter quality.=Batdvia I'imes, 'l‘uuc)uy.
The St. Louis Republican mentions the are
rival at that city of a steamboat fromn St Jo
seph's, Mo., g:wing on board two hundred
passenger, many of whom were driven from
their homes by the flood, and are yeturning to
the old states from which they originally emi
grated. Several of themn lost their ally and
are almost destitute ; others canying with
them the scanty remaing of their propenty.