Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-04-26
TIE MASSACHUSETTS Legislature.


We must again remind or readers, in PUBLISH
ing paragraphs commenting on the conduct Of the
Legislature of Massachusetts, that that body IS
made up almost exclusively of know nothlngs-
There was but enc democrat elected to it, and we
believe only about dozen old line wings. Pure
and unadultersted know-nothingism has inli sway
in the Government Of Massachusetts,; anc, ae'ins
upon the text, "by their fruits ye snSh ADo"
them" we hold up to the public the pefs'Iai Ar'
Official conduct of the legislators OF that state as
fair illustration of what know-nothingism would
be elsewhere if placed in power
AZ Of vital consequence to the South we copy
the following from the Charleston AsreETy
Irnas LoRIso The Legislature Of Massachu-
setts Is moving on in its course Of violence and per-
sqcu.ion The lust indignation excited all over the
. country by the disclosures relating to the Nun
usry Committee, has not, it seems, moderated
in the least the spirit Of intolerance TIE const-
tutional oshs Of the Jadge and the rights Of con-
sc.eacs and the Preside, alike, are TO be overthrown
and ttampled upon. The facts Of the case before
us are already familiar to our readers. Judge Lor-
ing is n ia6qe in 81 assachusetts and for long Pc
Rod of wears has filed the Office with dignity
sbiItv and faithfulDess. During the intense Burns
excitement year ago in Boston, when the law
and its appointed guardians resisted bv armed
uobs. and Batchelder one OF the police officers in
attendance was murdered when the fury of "a
naticism threatened all who stood up for the laws
and constitution Judge Loring firmly and fesrlessIy
did his duty. He fulfilled his official oath, main
tanned the law, and remanded the fugitive to his
master. But this act, high and worthy as it was,
won for him the hatred and vengeance of the
Abolitionists. He lad committed high treason
against their rule--the unforgiyable offence, from
whose consequences nothing should protect him.
The election last fall, which threw the State by an
overwhelming majority into the hands Of the abcli-
ton and know-nothing fusion, gave warning OF his
fate lie was Professor of Law in Harvard Uni
versity, vet even here, in this honored sanctuary
OF literature and science, tue fell spirit pursued,
and wTeaked its purpose upon him. He was eject
ed from his seat by Board over which the know
nothing abolition Governor Of Massachusetts pre-
sided This was the first act but vengeance was
not vet satisie He was next assaed in his of
fee as Judge The matter was brought forward
in the Legislature and referred to Committee,
which promptly reported in favor of his expulsion
But 10 give the act all the dignity Of cool delbera-
ton, and make more heavy The impending blow,
the House referred the case again to the Commit
tee within the last few days il has reported back,
with the same recommendation as before, and the
squestion being taken, the House adopted il, by
vote f207 to Ill.
There can scarcely be doubt that the Senate
and Governor viii concur in the resolution; for
both are but parts of the same machinery and &C
completes ia the same conspiracy; and then moth
ing will remain but TO execute upon the devoted
head of faithful and upright magistrate, the de-
cree of fanatical vengeance.
We are reminded, in persuing the facts of this
case, of some incidents in the history of other
times, which have come down 70 US branded with
infany and shame Tee Punishment of 'the just
Aristdes by the sentence of fierce and Eckle
democracy and the trial and Imprisonment of the
seven Bishops" in the bigoted reign OF James II,
do not present circumstances more heinous. 1t in
Deed seems that on the shores of America we are
10 have re-enacted the follies and crimes of by
gone days The very le-blood and essence of ty-
ranuy is that 1t exacts seryile obedience from its
officials that the and dictates of duty in the
magistrate are stifed beneath the fear Of the op-
pressor. What, then, shall be said of common
wealth which boast itself free, and yet is 30 coz
trolled by bitter faction, that the minister of
the law dare not dispense justice without falling
under its fury? Il is as true and real despotism
rs any that ever trnmpled upon right 1t is the IL
responsible, soulless despotisn of the bare
jority--Ihe mob
But the fate Of Judge Loring has another point
of interest We believe that it is the first time in
the history Of the country, when devotion to the
Constitution snd the guaranteed rights of the South,
on the part of Judge have been a snbjec. of Leg
islatve inqusitiori Our in ttutions have been as
esed 10 every other quarter, but never before has
abolition extorted submission from the Judiciary
Never before has the Legislature of State been
converted into instrument Of compelllng its own
citizens to disregard the Constitution, and join the
crusade against US. Massachusetts has set the ex.
ample in this further step Of aggression. She will
not stand long alone, if we judge right the sgns
of the times Well may the South ask, "Who are
our friends at the Norih2'