The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-04-21
speech of Mr.. Emerson, in the Massachusetts,
Legislature, on the $50, 900 Voted to the Con-
vent Sufferers.

IA the house of Representatives on the Sth
instant, the special assignment-the bin s.re-
lating to the sufferers by mob at Charlestown''
was taken up. The bill provides for the APP
polntment, by the Governor, ef three commiss-
toner's, With power TO adjudicate on all claims,
'by any individual or association, for actual loss
of property by the acts Of the mob at Charles
town.
half of the committee, addressed the House as
foilows:-
Mr.. Speaker,-The special committee to which
was referred an order Of inquiry into the expe-
diency Of Identifying the sufferers in the des-
uuctIon of the Ursuline Convent by mob, on
the night OF August l /, 1884, have reported a
bill TO ldemnity any and all associations and in
dIviduais for actual loss occasioned by this law
less act. The report of the committee is in the
hands OF the members of the Legislature, and il
doubtless Will be expected that the committee
viii submit 10 the House the views they have ta-
ken OF this all-important question,-and the
grounds upon which they justify their favora bic
report IN behalf OF the petitioners. All will
agree with me that tits subjectiworthy of our
graVesJ consideration, involving, believe
1t does, the honor of the Commonwealth, and
the value and sacredness of the dearest princi-
pies OF governmental policy upon which our free
institutions are based, and by which they are
fostered and sustained The application is made
TO the people OF Massachusetts in their sover-
elgn capacity. An appeal is made to the JUS
tee ana good faith Uf the BODY polite The
citizen who is wronged, and the citizen who suf-
ters, comes humbly, yet confidently, to the great
fountain OF justice and law, and demands that
protection Tor hls property which is guaranteed
70 hIm by the letter and spirit of the compact
into which he entered when God gave him citi- /
zenship IN Il Commonwealth. He '.claims kin
dred here" with the relations we all bear to the |
mutual obligations of the government and the |
governed, and trusts he will find that claim al
lowed may premise in the outset that the
history OF the transaction upon which this claim |
Is founded, is familiar to the House MANI
years indeed have passed away since the flame
OF that burning school, shed strange glare up
on Bunker Hill and the encampment at Cam
bridge. The rust OF nineteen changing seasons
has gathered about these ruined walls but the
whore civilized world, Catholic and Protestant
has learned that history by heart, and, to the
sufferers at least, the shame Of that eveutful II
night ha@ made a record winch has corToded and /,
IS coTodng, like canker. The facts of the
case have been briefly stated by the committee !
in their report; and with the leave of the House +
Will read short extract, embodying all impor- i
-ant PARTICULARS. The gentleman here quoted q
rem the report shall here be met by the +
objections plausible enough, L allow, but un-
ounded and unphiiosophical, This matter has 5
'SSAA uISSu6Stu III lOuT several legislatures
ma upon the most cOnsiderate attention. the V
Commonwealth has rejected the claim. Now I
Slr. Speaker, have the honor TO be an humble '
member OF II profession that recognizes the bin a
ling authority of precedents. '.Sfare decisis' a
5 rule Of most excellent convenience; but only f
II convenience. The Judge is bound by the law Y
IS he hnds 1T written. We're the Legislature j
we're the citizen in his capacity of seIf-govern- L
nent, thus ound,-there would be an end of f
III progress, all improvements; the exigency Of v
he present would become merged in the cold a
lard decision Of the past. \ heartless conser- !
atism, with its tenacious love for the stereo- 7
ype OF hNed opinions, would find ''lions in the I
way of all political and social advaucement- a
care not what decision past Legislatures may 4
AVE made; their votes upon this subject are u
pon record either for their honor or their o
hame. Let US, governed by our duty good T;
ltzens and the oath we took when came To- II
ether, calmly view a past transaction in the Il
ght of the present, and render righteous YER h
let thereon. Thank heaven here is no party "
uestlon; We are free from the iron rule of the RI
aucus the petty preiudices of the mere politi- b'
IAN for once may fade away in the sunlight of al
reat truth-for once we are jury without fear W
r favor; we are TO decide question between g
lie citizens and the commonwealth and we rep al
esent both. The Ursuline community and all So
tzens who suffered by the destruction of the m
onvent have a natural and legitimate claim up OF
4 the body polite for full indemnifcation.- oil
SiS competent 10 the task would not take pl
? the time of the House in discussing these at
maxims of natural right and polit- tie
al Obligations which lie at the very foundation In
our free institutions Of government. 1t will fr
: sufficient for my purpose to remark that all W
eSe nlaxims and principles were fully recog- OF
zed by our fathers, and have been Incorporated ra
TO every State and constitution; nowhere more of
nphatica!ly than in the constitution of Massa- L
usetts. 1t is conciseiy and beautifully ex- de
'essed in the preamble: tn
1.-The end of the institution, maintenance and tic
ADMINISTRATION Of government, is to secure the co
istence of the body polite; to protect it; and he
furnish the individuals who compose it with Sn
e power Of enjoying with safety and tranquil WI
their natural rights and the blessings of life. " dr
The following paragraph makes it the duty of gu
e people, IN framing a constitution of govern pr
ent, so to provide that every may at all no
mes find his security in the laws: or
The body polite is formed by voluntary th'
citation of individuals; it is social compact. ito
which the whole people covenants with each wh
izen, and each citizen with the whole people, rat
at all shall be governed by certain laws for the Of
mmon good 1t is the duty of the people tol
erefore IN framing a constitution of govern del
mt, to provide for equitable mode of ma SUI
Ig laws, well as for an impartial interpre- yo
ion, and faithful execution of them that ev- fer
man may, at all times, find his security in Low
IN not
This most valuable right is specified in the very she
It article of the constitution; the right Of en- ric
ing and defending their lives and liberties aft
1 also of acquiring, possessing and protecting
,perty:
'All men are born free and equal, and have dat
tain natural, essential and naenable rights: ga,