Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-05-13
NO.12.

Ks es 7ak1<s -n2s~W
which we have ever had in this coun-
try, There is not the least reason to
believe that these courts would now be
unpopular. va. VIZ
The gentleman supposes the District
Judges would be in the way Of this ar
Irangcmcn'. 1t is true. they might be
dispensed with I; but no one would
thiuk Of displacipg one of them nor is
il necessary. Their jurisdictions night
be transferred to the Circuit C0nrts,tO
take effect when their Offices became
vacant, and as hey become vacant.and
in the mean time, to be exercised as
they now are.
Phe gentleman very properly admit
ted, that tie expense ought, to be no
objection, bit seemed to apprehend
that tho people would think it one
There again 4 think he is hstaken.--
The worst of al. economy is that which
lis practised at the expense, and to the
prejudice Of judicial establishments,
the people so view it. There is'ao in
stitution which they regard with so
mich ,rartality and the expense of
which they'so little regret, provided
the institution IS made as perfect as it
may be.
Ihopc / need make no apology for
the time have taken pom subject
so important as that of improving the
nationaliudiciary. No function ofthe
government is SO interesting to the ma
lion as tie administration of the ma
tionaI justice. II toaches directly up-
on every individual 1t is felt by him
as his own immediate personal con-
Germ !; it is looked to by him as his
shield and his sword, to protect his
rights and to redress his wrongs. .Oth-
er riunctions of the governiaent are I'M
! fteresting too but no, SO Immediately
Interesting; their effect upon the ind,-
vidual is indirect; they act upon cir
cumstanccs which. I'M their turn, act
upon him /; thus and thereby affecting
his condition IN life, morc or less ia;
'vourably. But sit is,iistributive justice
and the haNd that makes the distrlbu-
T Etion, that is watched and regarded by
every one; /; for it is fhat hand which is
tn lift this shield for his protection, to
WELD tins sword for his redress.
Let me add, too, that on no function
Of the government doesthc moral este
nation Of the natien, in the minds OF
other nations, so much depend. In
deed, it is the great standard Of this
moral estimation; in truth there can
be no other. The moral fame of
country must depend upnn the char
octcr of itsjustice. And that charac-
ter is, Of all things, the most important
to nation. National justice and its
well founded regulations, is credit, Is
wealth, is power. 1t so appeared to
thc great men who devised and re-
commended tie constitution for adop-
ton for adoption they deemed the
character of.the national justice a ma:
tionai concern, as it truly was, and is;
and hence they gave to the national
judiciary the jurisdiction. Of causes in
which the individuals Of other nations
should be concerned as parties.
When, then, so much depends upon
the Judiciary for giving satisfaction td
our own people, and SD much for draw
Ing to US, and securing to US, the con-
tidence and esteem Of all other people
ought we not, each Of US, to endeav
our to make the judiciary as perfect as
possible? At least. will not the merit
Of all endeavour at this, on my part.
DC an excuse for the trouble which |
have given you in making it.