Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-04-13
outrage on a Catholic school.


Outrage on a Catholic School.
The Boston Daily Advertiser gives an e4c''eu AZ.
count of outrages alleged to have oeeh colaihi'eI
upon seven ladies' Sisters of Charity and teachers OF
school in the vicinity Ct Boston, oy conlin.ee y.
the members of the Legislature The Legislature
appointed special committee to visit the senoo anu
il is alleged that in performing the task tue mem
bers behaved indecorousy and disrespecttuliy' Inc
Atlas says:
The gvntleme I've presume must call
members of the Legislature by this title-roamed over
The whole house. from attic to cellar. No chamber,
no passage closet, cupboard escaped tnel Vlgi-
liant search. No part of the house was enough
sacred or enough protected by respect for the COM
mon courtesies of civilized life, to be spared IN the
examination. The ladies' dresses, hanging IN their
wardrobes were tossed over The party invaded the
chapel, and showed their respect-as Protestants we
presume-for the One God whom all Christians wor-
ship, by talking loudly with their hats on while the
ladies shrank in terror OF the Dissertation OF a spot
which they believed halowed.
While in the chapel the ladies declined holding
any conversation with their prosecutors; but in
another part of the house the principal expressed her
perfect willingness TO answer any question pro-
pounded by the committee One of the gentle
men accordingly pats her aectionately on the back
with hand, turns the rosary suspended
round her neck with the other, and asks If she is
content with her situation whether she can leave
when she Peases! I he young ladies were OF course
subjected 10 questions more rude-whtther
there are any boys boarding in the establishment
what punlshmens they suffer for misdemeanors! &c.
1t is scarcely necessary describe such conversation
| in detail the reader readily imagine what the
scene must have BEEN
The statements Of the Atlas gave rise to excited
debale in the Legislature, which lis charges were
declared unworthy of credit, false as a whole and
false in detail and taking their spri, from the
editors opposition to the American party special
committee of examination appointed.
Inspection OF CATHOLIC SCHooLs.-W neither the
ndecorous conduct charged upon the members of The
Legislature visiting the Catholic school at Roxbury
be proved to the full or not enough is admitted 10
show great impropriey The taking of some dozen
extra members with them by the committee was a
grossly vulg"l piece of business, showing great
want of courtesy and dignity. The whole affair seems
TO have been regarded afternoons frolic and
included dinner at the Norfolk House, in RoXbury
Indeed the whole mission of the committee an
egegious blunder, if not an unauthorized abuse OF
power. There is nunnery in the whole Common
wealth few small schools, like that at Roxbury,
OF which we have published description, comprise
the Catholic institutions and of them there has
nevir come TO the public ear any rumors of impro,
prIeties restraints, OF treatment of pupils which
/ should call for legislative interference, which
would expose them to any penalties of law The
whole movement in the Legislature originated in
spril OF petty persecution unworthy Americans, re
pugnant to ideas of religious liberty, and danger
to the public peace. May 1t not too, be regarded
as in violation of the very letter of Fundamental
law For the Bill of Rights of Massachusetts
forming the basis Of our Government declares il
these words:
r Every subject has right to be from al
unreasonable searches and seizures of his person, hi
houses, his papers, and all his possessions All war
rants therefore, contrary to this right if the
or foundation of them he not previously supported
= by oath affirmation, and if the order, in the war
rant to a civil officer to make search in suspecte
Il places, or arrest one more suspected persons
seize their property, be not accompanied with spe
> caI designation OF the persons objects of search
arrest, seizure; and warrant ought to be issue
it but in the and with the formaiites prescribe
If by the laws
, SO, too the Constitution Of the United States de
s. cares the same great principle OF the inviolabty
e our households:
Is The right of the people to be in their pc
u houses, papers, and effects. against unreasonab
: searches and seizures shall not be violated and
It warrants shall issue but upon probable cause SUI
e ported by oath affirmation and particularly d.
scIbing the place to be searched and the persons
i, things TO be seized"
$ Tie agitation in the Legislature OF the conduct
h the committee viii be productive of good results,
sure. 1t will show how unreasonable and uniu
y was the order for the vistatons and it will EN-
]. We think, in the discharge of the committee fro
J any further service, in that line least-Sp1n,
(. field (Moss.) Republican,