The Rhode Islander

THE RHODE-ISLANDER.

The Rhode-Islander.
NEWPORT:
Wednesday Morning, May 25, 1842.

We last week communicated to our readers, in a postscript, all the particulars which we had been able to learn, of the dread event which had been announced at the dead of night, by the beating of drums, the ringing of bells, and the discharge of cannon—awakening our citizens with their unwelcome and appalling sounds, and conveying the intelligence that a portion of our townsmen were called upon to place themselves in hostile array before another portion of the citizens of the State, and, if found requisite for their subjugation, to battle with and shed the blood of their fellow countrymen. Fearful indeed was the occasion, and agonizing was the suspense endured that day by many fond hearts—apprehensive for the safety of fathers, husbands, brothers, sons! The occasion was also one of sorrow to every true lover of his country; a country in which he proudly believed that the fundamental principles of government had been asserted and secured on the broadest and most impregnable basis;—yet here was a spectacle before him of the citizens of one of the oldest States of the Union, assembling to decide, by force of arms, which of two Governments should rule in the State! the major portion of the adherents of each, undoubtedly, being convinced that they were contending for the right. At least, such is the only charitable conclusion which can be formed, and such is the only one that we can adopt consistently with our neutral position.

Under these circumstances did the Artillery Company of this Town assemble at night and embark for Providence, in compliance with an order issued by Gov. King, leaving their relatives and friends in anxious solicitude for their safety. About 6 o'clock in the afternoon an express from Providence arrived with the joyful intelligence that the affair had terminated peaceably, and that our citizens would return to their homes on the following morning. Subsequent accounts, however, stated that all opposition had not been quelled, and it was not until the return of the Company, on Thursday afternoon, that all apprehensions were allayed. The Artillery were received on their return by two companies of Volunteers, under the command of Captains Wm. H. Crandall and Joshua C. Tripp, and a large number of our citizens, who formed a procession and escorted them to Trinity Church, where the Rev. Wm. Vinton offered up thanks for their safe return and delivered a short address. On the conclusion of the services, the procession was again formed and escorted the Company to their Armory, and was then dismissed.

In our preceding columns will be found a full report of the momentous proceedings which took place in Providence during the week, copied from the Providence Journal, and also the account given by the Express, of the movements on Wednesday morning; thus laying before our readers the principal statements of both parties.

In conclusion, we express our sincere joy that the affair was terminated, any-way, without bloodshed, and congratulate all citizens of the State, and our townsfolk particularly, upon this result. May they never again deem it their duty to assume a relative position so fearful.

In our Postscript last week we stated that the Artillery Company mustered 54 men with muskets and two officers, when they embarked on board the steamboat. They were subsequently joined in Providence by the rest of the officers and additional members, some of whom went up the same morning, and others on that succeeding—when reinforcements were sent for.

We return our thanks to the Hon. R. B. Cranston, for copies of various public documents recently received by us, bearing his frank.