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Dorr Rebellion
Topic Started: Mar 26 2010, 05:54 AM (216 Views)
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An Empire for Liberty

October 1841

Dissatisfaction over voting rights in Rhode Island has caused a number of citizens to begin clamoring for a new constitution. Unlike every other American state, Rhode Island has not changed its constitution since the Revolution's days and is in fact still operating under parts of the old English colonial charter of 1663.

The current system of government restricts suffrage and the right to serve on juries to white, native-born landowners and their eldest sons. Because of this it is estimated that nearly 60% of the adult male population is unable to vote, something Rhode Islanders find undemocratic and un-American.

Legislative apportionment is also skewed toward rural communities and cities are grossly underrepresented, a problem compounded by rapid industrialization over the past two decades.

The Rhode Island General Assembly has repeatedly defeated attempts to liberalize voting laws, and the economic depression has exacerbated working class resentment toward the local administration. This month a group of citizens (led by assemblyman Thomas Wilson Dorr) held an unauthorized referendum on a new constitution aimed at redressing their grievances. Dubbed the "People's Constitution," it guarantees universal male suffrage and was approved by slightly more than half of the adult males statewide.

The Dorrites are demanding that Rhode Island adopt the new constitution as law, but state authorities are refusing to budge.
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"For more than half a century, during which kingdoms and empires have fallen, this Union has stood unshaken. The patriots who formed it have long since descended to the grave; yet still it remains, the proudest monument to their memory."
- Zachary Taylor
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An Empire for Liberty

February 28, 1842

Events are moving rapidly in Rhode Island as the Dorrites begin to schedule elections under the "People's Constitution" for statewide offices. Supporters claim the franchise will be open to all adult white males despite the legislature's refusal to recognize the legitimacy of either the new constitution or the movement itself.
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"For more than half a century, during which kingdoms and empires have fallen, this Union has stood unshaken. The patriots who formed it have long since descended to the grave; yet still it remains, the proudest monument to their memory."
- Zachary Taylor
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April 25, 1842

The situation in Rhode Island is getting more tense as the days go by. Two elections were held this month, one under the authorized state charter and one under the "People's Constitution"; approximately seven and six thousand men participated in the voting, respectively. Dorrites are claiming that the reform voters unanimously elected Thomas Dorr governor and are demanding that he be seated in May with the so-called "People's Legislature."

Many Democratic politicians, including ex-presidents Jackson and Van Buren, have lent their moral support to the Dorrite movement. One Democratic writer for the Washington Globe even went so far as to warn the authorized government of Rhode Island that it would be met with force if it attempted to suppress the Dorrites.

Alarmed by the risk of violence, Governor Samuel King requested federal troops from President Tyler to maintain order. The President declined to intervene, calling the request "premature" since no insurrection has yet materialized, but added that federal forces would be available in the event of an uprising against constitutional authority. His dithering has not endeared him to either the Democrats (who believe in granting the Dorrites carte blanche) or to the Whigs (who control the authorized Rhode Island government).
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"For more than half a century, during which kingdoms and empires have fallen, this Union has stood unshaken. The patriots who formed it have long since descended to the grave; yet still it remains, the proudest monument to their memory."
- Zachary Taylor
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June 14, 1842

After months of tensions the Dorr "Rebellion" has been all but crushed. On May 3, Dorr's followers inaugurated him governor of Rhode Island along with the unauthorized "People's" legislature. Authorities feared mob violence after the group began meeting to make new laws for the state, and President Tyler finally dispatched federal troops. However, it turned out they were not needed: after only two days the Dorrite legislature adjourned without taking any actions to antagonize the legal state government.

Dorr, meanwhile, began forming a party of armed men with plans to capture the Rhode Island arsenal. On May 18 under cover of fog the group advanced on Providence. Much to their surprise, they found the arsenal garrison had been heavily reinforced prior to their arrival; upon encountering the soldiers the Dorrites promptly fled, leaving their leader in an embarrassing situation.

Thomas Dorr was arrested shortly thereafter and put on trial for treason against Rhode Island. To redress his movement's grievances and prevent further revolts, Rhode Island's constituted government has initiated a statewide convention to replace the old charter.
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"For more than half a century, during which kingdoms and empires have fallen, this Union has stood unshaken. The patriots who formed it have long since descended to the grave; yet still it remains, the proudest monument to their memory."
- Zachary Taylor
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