Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1855-05-03

vestigation" at Boston to pass without re-
mark and yet the subject is one which
we approach unwillingly and with shame.
We shrink from acknowledging, even to
ourselves, that the Legislature of State,
occupying the moral and intellectual posi-
ton which Massachusetts has so long oc-
cupied in this Union. could have found
among its members committee which
would discharge delicate duty in man
ner so utterly indelicate mot to say indecent
and outrageous. We are 10th 10 own in
the face Of the world, that in body Of men
which the world has the right to assume
were selected on account of their peculiar
fitness TO represent the intelligence, the
moral worth, and the culture, cf one Of the
Oldest, most highly cultivated communities
in the country, there we're found nearly a
score who could avail themselves of a little
brief authority to insult a feeble household
of secluded women, TO outrage their reli-
gious sentiment and even to rudely break
down, or rather to meanly sneak through
the barriers which civilized christianity has
drawn around their sex. But the admis-
sion must be made, reluctant as we may be
to make it else we may justly be held
responsible for sins from which we do not
absolve ourselves. The London Times
has enough to do to look after England
now, but were it not so what scathing on
slaught would there be on this development
of the proprie,ies of life as they are prac.
liced by legislators in the Modern Athens
of the Model Republic.
The right to appoints Committee for
such examinations as that which occupied
this Committee is, perhaps, not to be de-
nicd but ii is u right which exists only on
account Of the possibility that measures SO
nearly inquisitori'l in their character may
be needed to protect the State against great
abuses and insidious danger. But this
possibility is extremely remote, and the
notion that our political or our social in
sliiutions are endangered by the machina-
lions Of the Church Of Rome, which has
been foistcd on the American movement is
sheery chmerical No such danger, no
shadow of such danger exists. While the
press is free, while the schoolmaster treads
closely on the heels Of the pioneer, while
the spirit Of orr laws is that which anima-
ted the settlers of Plymouth Bay and James.
town, there need be no fear that the occu.
pant Of the clair which loters up on the
seven hills will attain any power in this
country at all dangerous to its liberty Or It's
prosperity '. '- .a
The Committee whose proceedings have
Just been investigated in Boston should
never have been appointed for although
its authority was general, it is well known
that its purpose was particular, and that it
was directed especially, if not solely, at this
little household of quiet, uDoiltnding fe-
males, who had, d,according to the dictates Of
their conscicnccs, devoted themselves TO an
ascetic religious lite, and were cndeavoring
to work out their own salvation after their
own way. If it were absolutely necessary
for the safety of the great State of Massa-
chuset,s, that these poor women should be
'examinationed,' the unpleasant duty should
have been awarded to the smallest commits
tee that could discharge it satisfactorily,
and it should have been composed Of gen
tlemcn eminen. at once for discretion, and
courtesy. But here we have dozen COM
mite. n n, not satisfied with their num-
bers, aud perhaps quailing at the thought
Of meeting half their number of lhe- other
sex under such very peculiar circumstan..,
ces, soliciting friends to join them and keep
them in countcnance, stumbling in upon
those ladies at their household duties, at
their devotolls, and in their sick beds,snoup-
ing about opening closet doors, handling
rosares, noseing around under pillows and
bed curtains as never old wonen-in petit
coa,s-noscd and snouped before, and ma
king themselves generally ridiculous and
disgusting 10 those who were undergoing
their visitation. r....,f ..,..
There has been an attempt made in one
or two quarters to apologize for this si,eak'
ing commiitee, to paliatc their offences
against dccency, and to justify the general
course of their proceedings. The task is
not only futile but most impoliuic. II
would be far wiser TO endeavor to oggra.
vate their conduct into the dignity Of an i'm
tonional, high handed insult Then thero
might be two sides to the question raised
now there is but one with all who are not
lost to the deccncics Of civilized life and
the dignity Of manhood, not to say the in-
suncts of gentlemen. The evidence given
by, some oi thc members Of tho committee
and those who accompanied them, is ap
pcalcJ to by the apologsts; but at tho best
| is but negative evidence and amounts to
little and that little dwindes to nothing
when the halting shame faced air which
bushes even through the types Of the report
is considered as il must be, in Judging tho
value Of the testimony. ....
The truth is that the affair from begin.
ming to end is contemplate. We arr apt
to eonpl,in tLat plece. and authority. ,uI