Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-05-30
THE MADNESS OF THE HoUR.

The recent action of the legislature of Massa-
chusetts-Know Nothing Massachusetts, prao-
teal illustration of the tendencies of Know Moth
ingism and Black Republicanism combined, not only
to disregard the plainest behess Of constitutions and
laws but to strike down every officer who, in accOr
dance with his oath, discharges the duties imposed
upon him by the law of the land. In the MassachU-
sets House Of Representatives a few days since, the
address previously adopted by the Senate by large
majority asking for the removal Of Edward G. Lo-
ring from the Office of Judge of Probate Of Suffolk
county, was adopted by a vote Of 30 to &c.
A principle is here involved which needs some ex-
PLANTATION. The address alluded to passed the Sen
ate some time since, in opposition to the report of
the committee of Federal Relations, who, after a
careful investigation of the subject, had reported
adversely to the prayer of the petitioners for the re-
mOval, and that they have leave to withdraw the Pc
tition.
Two reasons are assigned in the address for re-
questing the remOval-irst, because Judge LOring
consented to sit as Commissioner to hear claim for
the rendition Of a slave in defiance of the moral
sentiments Of Massachusetts as expressed in the
legislative resolutions of 1862 and second, because
he has resigned neither Of the two offices of Judge
and Commissioner, held by him for many years, not
withstanding the provisions contained in the thir
teenth section of the personal liberty act of 1885,
which fOrbids any person to hold two such Offices at
the same time.
But the thirteenth section Of this so called per-
sonal liberty act is in the judgment Of dispassion
ate sOund-thnkng men, so palpably in conflict with
the spirit and letter Of the Federal constitution that
even the more fair-minded Of the Black Republi-
cans think the Legislature ought not to punish any
individual for refusing go out Of his wayto yield
obedience to it. But the truth is the real bearing
Of the entire movement is determination of Black
Republican Legislature to strike down the honest
and upright Judge for having simply discharged his
duty under the supreme law of the land. That is
all
In this connection, we find the following credited
to the Boston Journal of the 2lst and trust its pre-
diotion viii prove correct;
g Both branches of the Legislature have united in
address to the Governor for the removal Of Judge
Loring-the House having adopted the Senate's ad-
dress yesterday by very large majority 1t is, Of
course optional with the Governor TO decline COM
pliance with this address, and we take pleasure in
the reflection that the incumbent of the Executive
chair has shown that he has the hrmness and nerve
to exercise fearlessy the powers which are cOnstU-
tonally vested in him, unmoved by the noisy clam
ors of a few who claim to reflect public sentiment.
No dissatisfaction has been expressed with the man
in which Judge LOring has performed his duties
as Judge Of Probate The petitions for his removal
have from places which are not within his ju-
dicia district and public opinion here is against his
removal These and other incidental facts, we have
no doubt, will be duly weighed by the Governor in
replying to the address Of the Legislature and the
course which he viii pursue do not doubt viii be
dictated by just regard to the public interests"