The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-04-27
THE BEDFORD GiEETTE.
Bedford, April 80, 1855.
:. W, Bowman, Editor and Proprietor
From the FIttsbnrg Union
NOVEL LEGISLATION.

We saw il stated somewhere. that the legislature of
Massachusetts have passed law making Jurors the
Judges OF the law we'll Of the facts. After The
exploration ofthe nunHery by the sapient committees
We would not be surprised 10 hear OF The legislative
body In question perpetratng any absuTdity, howev
er papabe. 1t Is perhaps we'll Tor the country, that
OCCASIONALLY party recognizing no general principle
o action, pledged to general policy, and bound TO-
gether by other tie than the possession OF
mon Intolerance, should become vested with the
troll Of the affairs of state. Such party i always
sure 10 pernetrate outrage sense or
Geceucy, which demonstrates 10 the world the neces-
SitY OF having such organization Of political par
hes that the profess OF particular creed Will give
'de voter some guaranty Of the entire policy Of the
man whom he assists 10 elevate TO office.
To illustrate what is very obscurely expressed, in
the last election in Pennsylvania, there were many
men elected TO the legislature 70 other ground
than their aceeptability TO secret organization,
which acknowledged other criterion of fitness,
Than the candidates hostility 10 catholics and for
esnNFs On all other subjects they free as
ar bound by pledges, under no obligation OF ordi
nary confidence, and committed 10 no definite forru-
J" Of principles. Their very first acts of legislation
as'ounded their constituents, and demonstrated fhe
necessity Of correct understanding between the
'eT ard the representative. It then discovered,
hat The fact that was opposed TO foreigners,
was not alone such inlallibIe index of wisdom,
mai be could be trusted on all points beside II
'ohha that he might profess hostility to catholics,
H >iill De ~ favor OF all banksan advocate OF
currency, and willing 10 become the tool Of corpo-
iat'ons; that be might also by every vote he cast,
hep to ruin the credit of the State and drive il
raaiatlon and that nothing laid down in the Know
Nothing ienets, could call in question the propreiy
oi bis course
hnow-Nothingsm has all the faults, in this respect
" VI any and all of the sms that have aspred 10
me position of political parties. And beside these,
> mas many others inherent in MS nolerant and pro-
S'P'We nature. OF such II is not purpose now
70 speak We merely wish to call attention TO the
eucai defeat which must prove fatal, the want of
n's'@et platform of principles upon which govern
"ent can be administered. Without this, il is idle
70 Islk OF any body OF men, however numerous, con-
S'"utins political party. One two common
FONTS oil iaith, in matters totally foreign the true
oV'hce OF legiSlation can give that cohesive
Iee 10 the mass of the people which is essential 10
W W"e preservation OF party unit. Opposition to
",esners, aside from its Injustice is sure
% vp o' political adhesion ban opposition TO all
III, I'm red heads. party based on such platform
% %mo",u undoubtedly have large majority; bur it
u probably be ascertained that all who agreed
ne matter Of not having light hair might still dis