Digital Extra: The Journal's 175th Anniversary

07.21.2004

1841. Rebel with a cause

The craziest part of the "People's Convention," called in 1841 to rewrite the state Constitution, was that it was taking place outside of the law, and in full view. Who told Thomas W. Dorr and his cohorts that they could simply start a new government?

Journal editor Henry Anthony noted in an 1841 editorial:

"It must be considered a curious spectacle -- and one which no other country, if any other State, can present -- a number of men assembled for the avowed purpose of overthrowing the government under which they live, without any authority from the legislative or executive powers, and yet proceeding without opposition, and without hindrance."

The Providence Journal covered the convention, printing extensive transcripts of the debate and presenting the convention's newly drafted constitution across the front page. At the same time, the paper questioned the event's legitimacy and fretted that the Dorr movement could become violent.

Dorr's group held an election and declared its constitution approved, with expanded rights of suffrage.

In 1842, members held their own election and chose Dorr to be governor of Rhode Island. The existing government had its own election, and named its own governor, Samuel Ward King. So Rhode Island had two governors, each of whom claimed the other was a fraud.

Henry Anthony's Providence Journal opposed Dorr, siding with "law and order," and the established government.

In May 1842, Dorr's supporters stole some old cannons and appeared poised for a rebellion.

The Journal pleaded for the defense of state government:

"TO ARMS!

Lithograph courtesy of the Rhode Island Historical Society

Thomas W. Dorr and his supporters, disillusioned with the statešs elected government in 1841, decided to start one of their own. In May 1842, they marched on an armory in Providence, where their cannons misfired and their rebellion soon ended.

The time has come when the people of Rhode Island are called upon to defend their institutions by their own right arms. A military usurper, surrounded with cannon and boasting of his strength in foreign bayonets, has assumed the supreme authority, and has announced his design to subvert the liberties of our state."

Dorr and his supporters marched late at night on an armory in Providence, where their cannons misfired and the rebellion fell apart.

Henry Anthony wrote the next day:

Thomas W. Dorr

"We have passed through one of the most fearful and critical days that ever dawned upon this State; and when we consider the hostile array, the excited feeling, and the full preparation, it seems almost miraculous that it has passed without bloodshed."

Three years later, local men who appreciated the way Anthony opposed the Dorr Rebellion took up a collection of silver coins, which were melted down and recast into a silver serving tray, pitchers and goblets. The tray, inscribed in 1845 as a thank you for Anthony's actions "during the insurrection against the government," is kept in 2004 in a glass case in The Providence Journal's editorial library.