Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1855-05-30
The Gazette on Massachusetts,.

Nothings and Abolitionists in last nights
issue with will A whole column, plen-
tifully sprinkled with poetical quotations
and large sounding words is devoted to the
Massachusetts Legislature. The doings
Of the Hiss or Nunnery Committee are duly
chronicled. A very proper amount Of in
dignation is expressed at the conduct Of
Hiss and Mrs. Patterson. But as the Leg
islature expelled Hiss, the wind is pretty
much all taken out Of this bit Of scandal
so kindly re-hashed.
The editors Of that paper are very indig-
naut at the effort Of the Legislature to de-
pose Judge Loring for his agency in re-
storing Burns to seryitude. But much to
the Gazettc's regret, no doubt, Judge Lor-
ing was not removed. A "K. n" Gov
crnor prevented it.
But "personal Liberty Bill was
passed over the veto of the Governor back
cd by the opinion Of the Attorney Gener-
al that it was in violation of the Constitu-
ton. The Veto Message and the Opin-
ion will be found in another column. AS
this is the only act consummated, that pa
per has made it duly conspicuous.
Let us examine it for moment The
law complained Of was passed through a
regularly elected and legally constituted
Legislative body. AS other acts, its con-
stitutionality must be tried and decided by
the Courts. It will 60 before the proper
tribunal and if constitutional, will be sus-
tanned and enforced, if not, it must be
abandoned and become dead letter. A
great many acts have been passed both by
the National and State Legislatures, that
have SO been decided, and such decisions
have uniformly been acquiesced in. There
is no evidence that Massachusetts will not
SO acquiescc.
Aud yet the very candid and logical ar
ticle of the Gazette says that beside this
act, "South Carolina notification fades in
to insignifcance !" We have not seen
this bill and shall not now attempt to dis
cuss its merits, or decide its constitution
atty. In our well balanced system Of
Government, this case is provided for
There will be no need of the interposition
of the strong arm of the Government
Even should the editor of the Gazette tear
his under garment, it will not be likely
to vary the result
Now as we have complied with the Ga
zette's wish and given our views upon this
matter, will that paper, SO loud in con-
demnation of LEGISLATION in Massachu-
sets and SO LENIENT towards VIOLENCE
in another quarter, please compare the two
extremes of fanaticism as exhibited in
Massachusetts anf Missouri. In one quar-
ter we find an armed body Of men, banded
together for the purpose Of revolutionizing
a territory and forming its constitution and
domestic institutions, driving men from
their homes and compelling them to fee
from the territory for their lives. This
secret banditti headed by the Vice Presi-
dent of the United States and constituted
of citizens of Missouri, bidding defiance
to the laws of the United States, have
a territory. Settlers have not
the power to defend themselves. The
General Government shows no disposition
% do it, and the probability now seems that
he wrong will continue, the revolution be
The passage of the Nebraska bill, i'm
ncdiately followed by its palpable viola
ion in the territory it was passed express
y to operate upon, has had decided in-
luence upon Northern feeling. Men that
efore the passage of that act occupied
Conservative ground, have since taken a
osition Of Incorporating hostility to
lrther slavery extension, marked as it has
cen, by the violation of sacred compacts,
y violence and revolution And that
lis all pervading sentiment should, consid- ;
ring the provocation, exhibit itself in
me extreme measures on this side, was
be anticipated. Is
The passage of the Nebraska Kansas
II was regarded at the time as measure
aught with untold evils to the peace of
is country, by wise and far-seeing states