Description
HE WAS INFLUENTIAL IN SECURING THE ACT OF AMNESTY TO ALL WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE DORR REBELLION (1841-42) WHEN AN ATTEMPT BY DISENFRANCHISED RESIDENCE TO FORCE BROADER DEMOCRACY IN RHODE ISLAND, WHERE A SMALL RURAL ELITE WERE IN CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT. THEY DEMANDED CHANGES TO THE STATE ELECTORAL RULES WHICH WAS STILL USING THE COLONIAL CHARTER AS THE CONSTITUTION, AND REQUIRED VOTERS TO OWN LAND TO QUALIFY TO VOTE. ALTHOUGH THE REBELLION WAS CRUSHED MILITARILY, IT FORCED THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND TO REWRITE ITS CONSTITUTION AND EXPAND ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE. BRADLEY WOULD GO ON TO BECOME A PROFESSOR OF LAW AT HARVARD AND CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE RHODE ISLAND SUPREME COURT. HERE HIS HANDWRITTEN STATEMENT OFFERS HOPE FOR HUMANITY.
CHARLES SMITH BRADLEY (1819-88) SIGNED QUOTE, “Charles S. Bradley”, on a card 4.5 x 3.5, by the lawyer and legal scholar who served as Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. He attended Harvard Law School and after graduation he formed a law firm with Charles Foster Tillinghast, Sr. and their firm, Tillinghast & Bradley became one of the most prominent law firms in the United States. Later, as a Rhode Island State Senator, Bradley was influential in securing the Act of Amnesty to all who were involved in the Dorr Rebellion of 1842. He was also Bussey Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. His handwritten quote, in full: “May altruism reign supreme and humanity find a way to select its best intellect and trust the management of its affairs to scientific understanding.” The card is in fine condition, with minor age toning, and the date “29, XI, 1920” written in another hand lower right.
$150 #12757
