Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-05-03
The Test of Experience - The :" Re
fnrr,,n PARTY

1t will be remembered that it was under
the most solemn and reiterated promises to
reform the politics of the country that the
the Know-Nothing organization was intrusted
with power in several of the States last year.
It's members were especially severe upon
what they were pleased TO term corruption
of the old parties. Could they have the reins
of government pure and :amalcltlate patriots,
they would bring about political millennium.
No party ever made so many good and sane
timonious professions The people hearken-
ed to their clamors, and determined they
should have chance to purify" the legis-
lation of the country. By large and over
whelming majorities they were borne into
power Now, how have they redeemed their
promises? Why, it was universally admit
ted that never in the history of the country
was any party organization guilty of such
gross and fragrant corruption and dishonesty
as it has been within very brief period.
Political rottenness and imbecility have eve
rywhere characterized its sway.
Here is the testimony of the Harisburgh
Item, a Know-Nothing sheet, in relation to
the conduct Of the Reform " Legislature OF
Pennsylvania. Speaking of that body, large
majority of which were its political friends,
it uses this strong language
The fact is, legislation has fallen into bad
hands. A set OF political scoundrels took adj
vantage of the late revolution in political SEN
timent, and, where they did not honestly sue
coed, fraud was resorted to in order to accom-
plish the object. The legislation of this
session, its glaring absurdities and villainy, to
make use of the mildest terms, will be exc
Grated by every honest man in the Common
wealth. Honor of the State is battered and
sold by a secret conclave, as if they had no
masters, nor were in any way responsible to
public opinion. Banks are chartered amid
boisterous merriment, and foreign railroad
capitalists are the lions who are worshipped
at the shrine of Mammon. When will Moses
descend from the mount and east down the
golden calf p
The above is nothing hut the honest truth
in relation to one Know-Nothing Legislature
That Of the State of Maine was even more
discreditable body than Pennsylvania But
Massachusetts,, in the folly, corruption and
absurdity Of her Reform" Legislature, ex
cells all her competitors. Its doings have be-
come by-word and a reproach from one end
of the Union to the other. The appointment
of its "Smelling Committee" and the ex-
plots OF the illustriouS "HIss" will ever
render il memorable II is seriously contem-
plated by the citizens of Lincoln County
Maine. to present 10 the Boston SOlons 9
large brass medal, with the following In
scription
PRESENTED BY THE CITIZENS or MAINE
i THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS OF
II 1854-55,
As a token Of gratitude to that honorable
body for relieving the recent
i MAINE LEGISLATURE
From the most disgraceful imputation of be-
ing the most ignorant, ridiculous, bigot
! ed and corrupt legislative assembly
/ om country has ever seen.
THE reverse to be surrounded by plain
wreath inclosing two rampant jackasses, one
very large and the other very small, in bas re-
EJ1
! The Know Nothing Legislature of New
York was a most fagitious, corrupt and pro-
fligate body, as was evidenced by its drunken
row and spree at BlackwelPs Island, n. Y.
and the mercenary character of most of it
laws The people of Indiana and Michigan
say the same of the Reform Legislature,
which adjourned amid general contempt anc
derision on account Of the character of thei
proceedings Fellow citizens, the party
which has thus reformed" the politics of on
sister State is anxious to try its hand in Ohio
Shall it have the opportunity You will de
eide by your votes in October next-Cinci''.
natl Eaaquif en-.