Rhode Island

"A foe to ... Existence of Slavery" Rhode Island Whig Broadside


This intriguing campaign broadside by "A Citizen of Narragansett" supports Whig candidate for Congress Wilkins Updike and illustrates the issues dividing the nation in the middle of the nineteenth century. As a Whig, Updike opposed the Mexican War and the extension of slavery and supported a protective tariff. As an anti-slavery Whig, he opposed even the "existence" of slavery in the United States.


[RHODE ISLAND.] "To the Electors of the Western Congressional District," Broadside, [1847]. 1 p., 12.25" x 19"


Excerpts

"The Hon. Wilkins Updike, of South Kingstown, is now a candidate to represent you in the next Congress of the United States." (c1)


"The qualifications of that gentleman for a member of Congress, must be admitted, even by his candid opponents, to be much more than ordinary; and in the opinion of his friends, and of those who know him best, are great. He possesses talents of a high order, united with great industry and patience of research and investigation-endowed with powers of speaking, and a readiness of debate which few possess." (c1)


"Economy in the public expenses has ever been his watchword. Expense and taxation he has ever opposed." (c1)


"It is a well known fact, that the portion of the State comprising the Eastern Congressional District, has increased in wealth and numbers much more rapidly than our portion of the State. In consequence of this, the people of that District are more inclined to favor useless and extravagant expenditures in the administration of the State, and as a matter of course, have far less dread of taxation.... Mr. Updike has never for a moment abandoned you, or lost sight of your interests or feelings." (c2)


"He is the father of the Reform in the Judiciary system of our State, and nobly and valiantly succeeded in effecting that Reform in spite of a formidable opposition, and antiquated prejudices." (c2)


"Elect him to Congress, and you may rest assured that he will be a deadly and uncompromising foe to the present useless and extravagant system of expenditure into which the General Government is plunged, in all its branches. As he was in the Assembly, so he will be in Congress, the guardian of the Treasury." (c3)


"In politics, Mr. Updike is a Whig. He is in favor of a Protective Tariff-a distribution of the proceeds of the Public Lands to the States-a foe to the extension and existence of Slavery, and opposed to the present unhappy war in which our nation is engaged. During the late unhappy troubles in our State, he acted a prominent part in the ranks of the Law and Order party. But his zeal was tempered with discretion, and with mildness and forbearance toward his political opponents. He participated in none of the arrests and prosecutions of those exciting times. He was for sustaining the government with firmness-but when the government was acknowledged, he was willing to forgive and anxious to pardon those deluded men who, from error or interest, had sought its overthrow." (c4)


Historical Background

When Rhode Island ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1790, it had one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. After the 1790 census, it had two seats, beginning in 1793, both chosen at-large on a general ticket, until 1843, when the state was divided into two districts.


Rhode Island held its Congressional elections in April 1847 for the thirtieth Congress (1847-1849) after the term began in March but before Congress convened in December 1847.


In this interesting broadside, a supporter promotes Updike's candidacy by extolling his virtues as a man who will represent his district's interests. His record in the state legislature demonstrated that he would oppose excess and study issues carefully. His identification with the Law and Order Party during the Dorr Rebellion of 1841-1842 in Rhode Island demonstrated that he could be trusted to exercise political power responsibly. His support for Whig measures like the protective tariff, the distribution of the proceeds of the sale of public lands to the states, and his disapproval of the Mexican War gave proof that he would represent the interests of Rhode Island. His opposition to slavery extension and even the institution itself, along with his support of temperance, gave evidence of his moral excellence.


In the Rhode Island Congressional election on April 7, 1847, voters elected Whig Robert B. Cranston (1791-1873) in the eastern district, but in the western district, no candidate won a majority. Out of 4,606 votes cast, Updike received 2,035, just under three hundred short of a majority, and Democrat Benjamin Babcock Thurston (1804-1886) attracted 1,925. Incumbent and independent Whig Lemuel H. Arnold received only 451 votes, while abolitionist Lauriston Hall gained 172. Updike's inability to gain a majority led to a special election in September, at which Thurston polled 2,308 votes to Updike's 2,249, and Hall's 60. Thurston won the election and became the first Democratic member of Congress from Rhode Island. Whig Nathan Fellows Dixon unseated him in 1849, but Thurston returned to Congress from 1851 to 1857, initially as a Democrat and then as a Know-Nothing.



Wilkins Updike (1784-1867) was born in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, studied law, and gained admission to the bar in 1808. In 1809, he married Abby A. Watson (d. 1843), and they had twelve children. As a member of the Rhode Island legislature, Updike supported many reforms, including a married women's property act, public schools, and the reform of the judiciary. He also served in the Constitutional Convention of 1842 that extended suffrage to all adult males, including African Americans, who met property-holding and residency requirements, in the wake of the Dorr Rebellion of 1841-1842. He published Memoirs of the Rhode Island Bar in 1842 and a History of the Episcopal Church in Narragansett, Rhode Island in 1847.


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