anarchy and confusion. Many of the shops and stores were open, and one pious, active professor of religion was engaged in public trade! Where are the rules and discipline of the church? Set aside by Martial Law ?'”

"A deacon of one of the Baptist churches said, in my hearing, when speaking of marching to Gov. Dorr's encampment, "we must go de termined to make a clean sweep!"

"But farther-freedom of speech has been stifled. A free and pub. lic expression of opinion upon the great question of impartial liberty, is a crime, to be punished by Court Martial judges. Take an in. stance. Our mutual friend Abel Tanner, in the hearing of a purse proud aristocrat, remarked that the Charter Government was a palpable despotism, an usurpation-a tyranny.- Stop,' says Mr. Aristocrat, if you indulge in expressions like those, derogatory to Government, I shall send for a file of soldiers and have you arrested.' Many individuals are now confined, within yonder prison walls, against whom no other accusation can be preferred than, that at some time they have advocated the cause of the oppressed. A minister of the Gospel delivered, a short time since, a discourse embodying his views upon the suffrage question. His words were bulletined, and yesterday he was marched through our streets a pinioned captive.* But DR. WAYland, Dr. CyRUS MASON, DR. MARK TUCKER, and PARSON VINTON can advocate freely and blasphemously, tyranny and savage oppression--against such there is no law. Around and over this captive minister, brother ministers and private Christians, stood as guards.

"The Constitutional rights of our peaceable, unoffending citizens have been repeatedly and outrageously violated. Their houses have been entered and searched for arms, and of their goods they have been despoiled."

"On Monday, the 27th ult., the forces of the Charter party, about 3,000 strong, were marched, some in direction of Gov. Dorr's encampment, others to Pawtucket and to Woonsocket, others to their posts, and the remainder, constituting a majority of the city forces, to their homes. On the evening of the same day a Proclamation was is sued by Gov. Dorr, disbanding his troops, and requesting the authorities of the State to permit them to retire peaceably to their homes. Gov. Dorr immediately withdrew, of which movement the landhold. ers had abundant and conclusive proof. But they nevertheless, continued their march, capturing all who happened to fall in their waysending out scouts, until they approached Gov. Dorr's camp. The

*Whether this is the case of Rev. Mr. Wakefield, Methodist minister and assistant Post Master in Cumberland, or whether it is another, we can not sayThe Republican Herald, of Aug, 27, contains the particulars of Mr. Wakefield's arrest by armed men-the rifling of his wife's bureau drawers, her band-boxes, and lodging apartments-Mr. W.'s imprisonment at Providence, with 12 others, in a cell 8 feet by 12, etc. etc! Fit cause of "thanksgivings" by Rev. Drs. Tucker and Wayland-with sound of "organs!"

scouting party being some distance in advance of the main bodyknowing to their perfect satisfaction that Gov. Dorr had quit, valiantly stormed the fort, triumphantly entered it, captured some half dozen pieces of rusty ordnance, a baggage and provision wagon, a score or two of murderous' pikes, a few muskets, some barrels of powder and provisions, and a free suffrage banner. Call you not this a glorious victory? Guards were immediately stationed, scouting parties sent out, houses searched, and every person, who even squinted towards the suffrage cause was arrested. At Woonsocket several persons have been captured and triumphantly marched into the eity. At Pawtucket blood has been shed--Massachusetts blood too. A guard was on the evening of the 27th ult. stationed at the bridge, the dividing line between the States, when a gang of boys attempted to pass, but being stopped, began to stone the sentinels. A crowd of spectators was soon collected, some of whom participated in the affray. The senti. nels instead of firing upon those causing the disturbance, fired into the crowd of unoffending spectators, killing one man, and wounding several others. Thus a wife has been widowed--eight children orphaned, and an immortal soul precipitated into eternity. So far as we can learn but two lives have been lost. But who shall estimate the countless value of those two?

"About two hundred prisoners have been taken, and are during this sultry weather confined in cells not more than ten feet square— TWELVE individuals in a cell. At the time announced for their entrance into the city, our streets and public buildings were filled with crowds of men and women. As they marched through the square pinioned and guarded by the brave heroes of a bloodless unfought battle shouts were raised-kerchiefs waved--wreaths and bouquets of flowers were showered upon the soldiers. Smiles of demon triumph played upon the countenances of pious Christians, and mild, tender hearted women.* We had supposed that if humanity had a dwelling place upon earth, it was in woman's heart. How mistaken! Here were fathers, husbands, sons and brothers, ruthlessly torn from the arms and society of affectionate mothers, wives, sisters and children. But in the hearts of the females of Providence they shared not, a sym. pathising emotion. Not a tear had they to shed for the poor and oppressed. When informed that some of these prisoners would probably be shot, the taunting smile and cruel jest plainly told of a hardened heart and a seared conscience."

The following account is copied from the Bay State Democrat, of August 24th.

"JUSTICE IN RHODE ISLAnd. No man shall be required to give evidence against himself'--so says the common law, so says the Declaration of Rights, and so says the Constitution of the United States. Now for the practice in Rhode Island. During the last month, some

We have the same facts essentially, in the Charterist papers, set off with great airs of gratulation and triumph! Sad proofs of human depravity!

hundreds of our fellow citizens have been seized without warrant, precept or process, or any charge of crime or offense, bound and cast into foul and crowded dungeons, without any hope of release until they have given an account of themselves, or, in other words, until they have made some confessions that shall criminate themselves or their friends. Disguise it as they may, these examinations before the Lords Commissioners,' (a tribunal first invented for the punishment of the poor Covenanters, under Charles II., now for a time introduced into this country,) are neither more nor less than confessions extorted by torture, and as such can never be entitled to a moment's consider. ation, in any common law court. In this way, the unhappy victims are made to criminate not only themselves but others, not present. We detest the whole course of proceeding before the high commis. sioners,' as illegal, unconstitutional and inhuman. We attach no confidence whatever to confessions thus extorted. We know of one instance, at least, wherein an individual against whom evidence was endeavored to be found in this way, who, in pity to the sufferings of the prisoners, sent them his full permission to tell all the truths which they knew, and all the lies which they could invent about him, which might afford them any relief."

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The following paragraphs are from a semi-monthly paper, entitled "John the Baptist," edited and published by John Tillinghast, Providence, July 8th.

“SHOCKING.—When the prisoners were brought into Providence last week, we saw a sight that was shocking to our feelings and stirred up our mind more than any thing we had heard or seen. We saw among the prisoners a number of professed Christians-many of them our familiar acquaintances and friends-a number of Old Baptists, Freewill Baptists and Methodists, tied together with ropes and driven along the street by a band of soldiers, and we saw among the soldiers many of our Old Baptist brethren! We felt horror-stricken when we saw Old Baptist brethren with guns and swords, driving Old Bap, tist brethren to prison, with their hands tied with ropes; and they were brethren, too, whom we could hardly be made to believe had tak. en up arms on either side. On making inquiry into the case, we found that these brethren were at meeting last Sabbath, and soon after the meeting commenced, before the minister had closed his prayer, a number of armed men marched up before the meeting-house, and some one cried out, A press gang.' This was enough. The meeting was frightened into confusion-a number of the brethren jumped out of the windows-a portion made their escape, some one way and some another. There was a general cry among the women, and in a confused state, the meeting was broken up. The brethren ran to the woods. While they were dispersing, some one cried out, Fire!' which increased the alarm. Some fled to Massachusetts, some hid in the woods, some in barns, and some fled to Dorr's camp. Thus in their flight they were scattered. Some were taken prisoners on the way.

On examination it was found that they had not taken up arms on either side, and they were released the next afternoon.

*

“I was sick and in prison, and ye visited me not.'

"This was the language of our Savior in the description of the final judgment, and he made the acts of kindness shown to his brethren a test of character to tell whether they were suitable for heaven or everlasting punishment.

"Last Sabbath morning we visited the State's prison. Our object was to see the prisoners and preach to them, if we could gain permission. The thought never entered our mind that we could not have the privilege of visiting them, till Sunday morning: but on going to the prison we found the gate guarded by an armed man. We requested permission to enter and see the prisoners, but he informed us that it was contrary to their regulations. Then we asked if he thought it would be objected to by the keeper to let us preach to the prisoners. He said such a thing was not allowed.

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"We turned away and walked home, thinking, How can we obey Sour Savior?' But inasmuch as we had shown a willingness to do his will, there was no more required. We feel to cast no reflections upon the authorities, but state the fact to show that our garments are free from guilt in this thing."*

Things went on swimmingly with the Charterists now. Any upstart youngster, who could shoulder a musket and vociferate "law and order," could sally out, at pleasure, and, accosting, perhaps, one of the most venerable and peaceful men in the town or the city, could peremptorily order him to shoulder his musket and join the ranks of the Charterists. He might be opposed to that party. No matter. That was probably the very reason why he was accosted. He might be conscienciously opposed to all violence. That made no difference. If he demurred, that was proof enough of his "treason." He must shoulder his musket, or, as a merciful alternative, he might take his shovel and go and work on the military entrenchment. If he declined doing either, he must go to jail, or before the city council. Mus. ket, shovel, jail, or city council were the only alternatives for his selection.

This is no fancy sketch-no solitary instance-no unusual occur

rence.

Now was the harvest time of" revenge," as well as "pillage." Old grudges, from whatever origin, of years' standing, were raked up, and had their summary gratification, now." Order reigns in Warsaw,' said the Russian Autocrat. "Order reigns in Rhode Island," said the Charterists. It was like the order of the slave plantation. Any Charterist might say or do what he pleased to a Constitutionalist, and there was no redress-"no law but the suppression of all laws.'

*The Republican Herald of Aug. 24th, speaks of it as among the "admitted facts" that "women have been denied an admittance to see their husbands and sons in prison."

Lone women were required to reveal the retreat of their husbands and brothers. If they demurred or plead ignorance, they were insult, ed, threatened, and sometimes, it is said, wounded, with weapons,

Parties of "lawless soldiery" at Chepachet and elsewhere, selected what houses they pleased, for their lodging, without leave and without ceremony-helped themselves or ordered the inmates to wait on them-devoured what they liked-knocked about and destroyed the furniture-occupied the beds, and left the families to stand up, or find accommodations as they could. Thus, at least, testifies common report, and if such testimony may be relied on, other insults were sometimes offered which we shall not now attempt to record. Those who have read human history and know what is human nature, and human conduct, where there is "no law but the suppression of all law," those who mark the profligate tone of the Providence Journal, will need no formally drawn or legally attested affidavits to certify them of the particulars. If they can boastfully write and print what we have cop. ied, it needs no gifted seer to tell us what were their unwritten doings. In times when decent, sober, and professedly Christian men can speak familiarly of shooting down a suffrage man, and say it would be right, we can infer how a band of hair-brained young soldiers would conduct, when removed from restraint,

Many things we do know. They were too public to be disputed. These, by way of specimen. Individuals that had never taken arms, were arrested, dragged to prison, or some times before what was called the city council, sometimes they would be released, after examination, and scarcely could they reach their homes, before they would be arrested again, and carried back-for they had no record of acquittal to show, and any other person that took the fancy-with or without a knowledge of the former arrest, and without any warrant, could arrest the same person over and over again. In some instances they were arrested a number of times.

Let it be carefully noted that it was after and amidst outrages and enormities like these-yes! and in joyous commemoration,of them and to celebrate the bravery of these exploits, that the public Thanksgiving of July 21st, by Proclamation of the Charter authorities, was held, and laudatory discourses preached and published by Rev. Doctors Tucker and Wayland. This, it seems, is the "law and order" that they supposed is taught in Romans xiii. 1, and 1 Peter ii. 13.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH, AND OF THE PRESS.

One feature of the prevailing "law and order" was too prominent and notorious to be mistaken. As it was "the suppression of all laws," so it was the suppression of freedom of speech, and of the press. Even as early as the 18th of May, when we passed through the State, and spent a day in Providence, we saw enough to convince us that worthy and Christian citizens felt themselves safe, only by preserving silence. But this was before the complete triumph of "law and order," now under review. To speak a word against the Charter usurpation, was to be promptly charged with "treason!"