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Calls for reform were repeatedly rebuffed by the charter government, so in October 1841 suffrage advocates, including many from the landed class, held their own constitutional convention and passed what came to be known as the People’s Constitution. They then organized a statewide referendum in which all white males of 21 years of age or older could vote. Surprisingly, it received a majority not just amongst the newly enfranchised but also amongst the landholders.The only problem was that the old charter government hadn’t given their blessing for the referendum and refused to recognize its legitimacy. In April of 1842, two elections were held, one to elect a government under the People’s Constitution and one to elect a government under the charter. Rhode Island suddenly found itself with two competing governors, Thomas Wilson Dorr for the constitution and Samuel Ward King for the charter. Something had to give.Supported by the courts, the charter government decided its best play was to just arrest the members of the rival government. After several of his lawmakers were snatched up, Dorr, who had previously been a rather lackluster lawyer and had no military training, rashly decided it was time to arm his supporters.He organized around 300 men in Providence and began his campaign by robbing a small militia post of their two light cannons. Then, on May 17, his men surrounded the city’s arsenal. When its defenders refused to surrender, he ordered his cannon crews to fire. There was a great flash, but no balls flew from the muzzles. Each gun was tried again, to the same emasculating result. Either the guns were too old or the powder was wet. In any case, there was nothing left to do but retreat.
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Topic: Dorr Rebellion | Rhode Island’s Very Own, Very Small Civil War (Read 799 times)
