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The Dorr Letters ProjectElisha R. Potter Junior to John Brown Francis: |
Introduction
In this important letter to John Brown Francis , Elisha R. Potter Junior offered his opinion of national politics. Though Rhode Island’s Democratic party was very much divided on the question of constitutional reform, the vast majority of northern Democrats were behind Thomas Dorr. It should be noted that most southern Democrats opposed Dorr. Potter believed that the constitutional crisis in the state needed to be settled as quickly as possible before conservative Democrats were forced to side with Dorr and the People’s Constitution. Potter mentioned that Thomas Hart Benton, the powerful Democratic Senator from Missouri, was siding with Dorr. John O’Sullivan, the influential editor of the Democratic Review, also expressed his approval for Dorr’s course of action.
Letter
Dear Sir
I hear a report by way of Wickford that Father
Curry has interfered to prevent the Irish from arming
in the suffrage cause. If so it is of some importance
you may know the truth of it.
Who the Unitarian General you
alluded to is I cannot conjecture. It seems to
me if they had such letters as you mention
from Benton & others they would not hesitate to
show them. I feel some curiosity to know Benton’s
course in the Senate after what he said to us. He
then talked very reasonably indeed.
E H Hasard brought the story here
that Dorr was to be arrested. I suppose the people
in Providence think he is a good man to
send here. But he is completely odious to a
great portion of the people here.
Tuesday or Wednesday morning I shall
go over. I hope to find members in a
compromising spirit. But there are a few who will
not be willing to give an inch until all opposition
is put down. If this class get the control of
the Assembly they must be left to their fate. Else
we shall all go down together. If they would
pass any compromise act I would resign as
the object of my going there would be accomplished.
From the signs you have already
seen the Northern Democracy will all take part
in favor of Dorr’s government. Lucky for us they
have not control in Congress.
You recollect I sent you a copy
of a letter I wrote to Pearce. Please save it
and enclose it and leave with Wm for
me.
It has just begun to thunder & rain.
There was a report here of a quarrel between
Whipple and Clark. It must have been a
mistake.
I wish you could impress upon the
minds of our friends in Providence that the sooner
this matter is settled for us the better. The
leaders of the Democratic party take sides with
Dorr. That party will soon control every state in the
Union. Is it not better for us then to concede and
so save a revolution than to hold out and have
the revolutionary party succeed as I fear they would
bye & bye, for if we undertake to hold out too stiff
many will take part with them who do not now.
Such a movement if once successful would set a
bad example for some of the other states. Is it not
better then to prevent a revolution by conceding
the suffrage & having it done in the regular way.
I received a letter yesterday or
day before from O’Sullivan the Editor of the
Democratic Review. He says his views are quite
different from mine and he thinks he shall
write upon it. Better not mention this however.
I mention it as a sign which way the current is.
The Globe & Evening Post both take strong ground
against us.
If you do not save your Globes & will
send me those containing articles about
RI especially the one which appeared the day
we left Washington it would oblige me.
Yours Sincerely
ER Potter *
Hon. J.B. Francis
Kingston
If you hear anything do write to
me at Newport.
Questions
Why do you think Potter was concerned about the Irish laborers in Rhode Island?