Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-04-11

of Massachusetts, as of every other State and Terri
tory of the Union that all acts of any party or any
Legislature With the federal constitution
are unlawful null and void Our ideas, however OF
the wisdom OF the legislators of Massachusetts, app
pear to have been somewhat extrayagant hose
e wise men of the East seem to have very little
respect for the supreme law of the land We are,
therefore, constrained to repeat for their informa-
ton that provision of this supreme law, which pro-
claims that " the right of the people to be secure IN
their persons, houses, papers and effects, against un-
reasonable searches and seizures shall not be viola
ted and warrants shall issue but upon prooaoie
cause, supported by oath affirmation, and partic-
ularly describing the place to be searched, and the
persons or things to be seized"
In the face of this organic law OF the Union ana
of Massachusetts, committee of that Legislature
proceed to the little school of the Sisters OF Charity
at Roxbury, and exhibit their authority from the
Legislature to examine the premises, as IL u We're an
edict from the Emperor of all the Kusslas. ihey
certainly so considered it, they would not nave
made their first official notification to the establish
ment in that overbearing air of authority whlch
characterized their visit. The committee not only
went in body, but they invited number OF tnelr
friends to accompany them and see the sport. flne
sport truly this breaking into the sanctuary OF the
citizen this disregard of saving principle OF CIV
zed society that 60 q mans House is his castle.
Where was their warrant their "prooaoie cause
their oaths or affrmations? They had none Ihey
were guilty of an outrage upon private rights.
This Catholic school was private instituton-an
inouistorial committee could only invade 1t under
law. But they say that they were freely admitted
and conducted in their examination by the Lady
Superior, throughout the house. That does not
mend the matter. The offence is in the stupidity or
criminal folly of the Legislature IN authorizing ts
transitional visit; and in the committee in acting
upon it as full and sufficient warrant for their pro-
ceedngs The Legislature is almost unanimously
anti Catholic, if not entirely so. 1t was electeu 10
very great extent, upon the antl-C feeinS 50
prevalent throughout the State; and since the un-
wise movements of Archbishop Hughes on the church
property and public school questions, and the late
mission of Bedin prevalent throughout the coun-
try. We can't imagine therefore, that those Cath-
olic Sisters of Charity, in their little establishment
at Roxbury opened their doors to this Legislative
committee as to deputation of friends, personal,
religious or political. No. They could only regard
the committee many nQulsitive enemies ana
herein lies the weight of the outrage.
In this light the act of the Legislature appointing
this committee was cruel, lawless act and the visit
of the committee under it was an outrage win
the antpathies existing between the Legislature ana
the committee, the part, and this Cathohc
female school on the other had there been offence
or nothing like persecution intended in this official
visit it might have been managed at least more cour
teousy In order to avoid all appearances OF int
midation, suppose single member of the committee
had first called at this school, and stated his case
thus -" am one of legislative committee appon-
ted to examine into the condition OF the converts
and nunneries of this State Your establishment Is
private We have no authority over your religion
or system of education, except where they may con-
fict with the laws We have no complaint against |
you, no affidavit warrant. You may, therefore, |
exclude us, if you please But if You think proper
to admit US, shall call here upon some appointed !
day. look into your institution and ask you some
questions. We are not Catholics; but we are not !
oarbarians." Had such application as this |
been made at this Roxbury school by this commit |
ee it would have been in better taSte but acting |
Is they did without law, they had authority to |
ct at all. In confounding private houses with public
schools, the act of the Legislature appointing the
committee was nullity, of more binding force
han similar edict from Billy Bowlegs.
Civil and religious liberty in these United States
ire tangible and practical rights We cannot disturb
hem with impunity. Wherever the church-any
hurch-attempts to usurp the powers of the State;
wherever the clergy attempt to monopolize the tenn
'oral property of their Congregations wherever
egious order society enters the field of politics
balance of power in political affairs, Legislatures
nd parties may rightfully interpose to resist them
But as neither Congress nor the State Legislatures
ave the power to abolish converts nunneres, or
o interfere in their internal economy so have they
% authority for these Roxbury inqusitorial commit
ees of inspection.
We admonish the new party of the Massachusetts,
legislature to adhere the constitution. There is
o safety beyond it. Ne'0 York Herald.