Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-04-13

The Massachusetts Nunncry Nisitations.
The Legislature Of Massachusetts, proba-
bly, after careful pcrusal of Miss Maria
Monks celebrated work on convent-lifc, up
pointed Joint special committee, seven in
number, on the inspection of Nunneries and
Converts. This Committee in the first ex
ercise Of their important Office, ona visitation
to tho Catholic Seminary at Worcester, oh
tanned for themselves the inccgant arrcla
ton of L" the smelling Committee" In their
further operations they have proved the
appropriateness Of the title, acquired for
themselves notoricty quite unenyiablc. and
stirred up no little commotion in the Bay
State.
On Monday of last week, the committee
proceeded to the examination Of ladies
boarding school in Roxbury, near Boston. 1t
is described as proper boarding school,
under the charge Of several Sisters of the Ca
tholc order of Notrc Dame, but having none
| Of the characteristics of monastic institu-
ton. The teachers IRE highly educated
ladies, and the pupils, twelve respectable
American girls, from twelve to twenty years
old Without any previous notice, without
Il warrant or any evidence of official authori-
ty, the committee presented themselves, nc
companicd by crowd of some hcenty super
numcrarics (most of whom were members of
the Lcgislature,) ut the institution and pro-
cceded to examine the same. The ladies,
timl and without any male protector, could
Of course make no resistance, and submitted
unwillingly to the search. The valiant
twenty four scattered themselves through
the house The rooms were ransacked from
garrett to cellar closets and drawers were
opened, ladies' dresses and wardrohcs were
inspected, sinks were searched, the chape
was invaded, the ladies were impcrtinently
questioned, the lady superior was pattcd or
the back and her rosary Improperly handled
and even the privacy Of the sick room wn
intrudcd upon, and young lady sick and ii
bed, was subjected to the prying gaze Of fou
or five rude men. No skeletons or impri
soned damsels were found, or strange dis
covcries made.
These disgraccful facts were made publ
by the Boston Adroriiscr. An investigation
into the action ut the committee was forth
; with orlr,,I T. =, t'r Legislature. ii,c state
mcnts made we've substontotcd 10y the t.sli
monv of Mcssrs Hale, the Editors of the IA
. rertscr and OF tho lady Superior and as til
wires tell us. the rudest of the oliactory con
mittcc-a Mr.. Hiss of the House, is likely t
be expelled from lis seat
The Massachusetts, Legislature will do we
to clear its skirts of the matter as speedily a
possible 1t was carried into power rroGc'
scdly on the swell of anti Catholic sentiment
/ but it must take care lest in it's zeal to carr
. '"' A." principles Of its party, it turns tina
l sentiment INTO tine n."i-', . it'll. ,,,,. ,.o
! secuted sect can always he sure Of in tn
/; land. Ofcourse that Legislature or any otho
! has the right, under proper restrictions M
- when the public good requires to inycstiga
: the affairs of any institution within II
limits of the state government; hut its inlu
ries must be conducted with the fullest r
gard for the dccencies and prophecies of Pr
vate life and the rights Of private person
The " Americans Of Massachusetts, or
4 any other state, cannot afford to mistake t!
@ true spirit of American Institutions. OF
t houses are our Castles" in this Country. Pr
Il testant Inquisitions can be tolerated
n better than Catholic Inluisitions. " Sam
= has made very poor appearance as Pa,
9 Pry, and had better drop the character.