The Rise Of Modern Democracy In Old And New England Volume 71

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. RHODE ISLAND. Providence founded by Roger Williams.--First Covenant and Fundamental Articles of 1640.--Colonisation of Aquidneck (Rhode Island).--Democracy.--The Charter of Providence Plantations.--Organization of a Democratic Government.--Valuable help rendered by Roger Williams.--The Second Charter of 1663.--The Cradle of American Democracy. The first to rise up against the growing theocracy of Massachusetts was Roger Williams, a preacher at Salem. He arrived from England in 1631, and 'immediately found himself at war with Congregationalism as it was understood in Boston. After some years of struggle he was banished the colony, for having taught and spread divers strange and novel theories, destructive of the authority of magistrates.1 He took refuge on Indian territory and, with the help of some of the members of his church at Salem, founded, in 1636, the town of Providence on Narragansett Bay. 1 "Whereas Mr. Roger Williams, one of the elders of the Church of Salem, hath broached and dyvulged dyvers newe and dangerous opinions against the authoritie of Magistrates." Mass. Records, i. p. 160. Roger Williams possessed a mind at once enthusiastic and systematic; he was a theologian who had been brought up by a lawyer.1 He pushed Brownism to its logical conclusions, the complete separation of civil and religious matters, and absolute democracy.3 The community which was formed by him, and which afterwards became the kernel of a State, had for its base a double Covenant. The first colonists undertook to obey all laws made by a majority of their body; new-comers, simply dwelling amongst them and not yet received as citizens, promised obedience to these same statutes which, it is said, must concern matters exclusively civil.1 1...