Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-05-15

MRS. PATTERsoN KNOw-NoTH-
INGIsM.
Few histories are reliable. Old histories are,
for tie most part, made up of stupid fables
and absurd superstitions. They were written
long after the occurrence Of the events they
narrate, before printing was discovered, and
made up from dusty scrolls and wretched parch-
ments. The sources Of all ancient histories,
to say the least, are suspicious. r
The truest histories are those written by
men who are eye.witnesses Of the events they
relate. Yet such histories, even, are not be-
yond criticism and not free from suspicion.
Events oftentimes occur in the presence of a
number of men, it may be small or large
number. 1t rarely happens that all Of the
number concur in their narratives of such
events. Conflicts and contradictions usually
distinguish their statements. Even IN courts
Of Justice, where men are put on oath, respec-
table men, and where the issues Of life and
death are involved, it seldom happens that two
men give the same testimony. This is sad
commentary on the value Of human testimony.
But there is one thing that has happened
in our day, and in our country, before our eyes,
in reference to which all rational men agree.
1t is the course and the conduct of the State
Of Massachusetts. When the historian takes
his pen in hand TO record the events of which
we speak, he will not be at q loss for the ma
teral wherewith TO compose that history The
records Of the present Legislature will be suffi-
cient.
Those records will inform him that that Leg
islature has taken, not one, but many steps
backwards. That it has gone back not only to
the horrible and revolving blue law days; not
only to the scarcely less revolving period, when
cropeared .covenanters alternately bowled and
prayed, but to those more distant and more
miserable times, when priestcraft asserted do
uinion over men, both spiritual and temporal,
and when superstition, that curse alike Of the
ignorant and the over.learned, taught men to
cultivate vices for virtues, and to worship devils
for gods.
In that sanity and scholarly Massachusetts,
Legislature, there are, we believe, two score
and ten, canring parsons. Not Gods minis
tiers. Not Bible minister's but wolves, in
sleeps clothing, who are infected with every
ism in politics, and who burn with every fierce
passion that man is subject to. They are not
the meek disciples Of their humble Saviour,
but severe and loud-mouthed sons Of thunder.
Not content with preaching religion, they
must needs preach politics. When the Bible
is in their way, they construe it out of their
way. When the constitution interposes a
barrier to their insane progress, they boldly
break it down. These men, we believe, are all
Know nothngs and all Abolitionists.
Besides this canting crew Of reckless and
wretched hypocrites, the Massachusetts Legisla-
ture contains vile set of scrub politicians and
gutter demagogues, who have risen by espous-
ing some ascendant ism and by pandering to
some prevailing caprice. Bedam exhibits no
crazier assemblage--Five Points, no more vul.
gar rufialism.
From Legislature thus composed Of Ado.
litiouized Know.nothing fanatics, and hypo-
sos-ical religious dissenters, nothing good could
be expected. Yet, in the sunlight Of this en-.
lightened, nineteenth century, so much Of evil
could hardly be expected as is exhibited in the
proceedings Of this body.
II has passed resolutions setting aside the
fugitive slave law, and making any citizen Of
Massachusetts incapable Of holding a State
Office who recognizes it, or aids in its execu
ton. 1t has resolved against the admission O
any new slave State into the Union, whether