Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-09-06
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
EXTRACTS FROM "SIX MONTHS IN
AMERIC a"-(CoNrINuEp)


want in the American courts, of what he deems
de,orum. lie thinks that judicature should be
treated with peculiar courtesy and reverence and
he could not but hold it fortunate that Justice is
blind, considering how her dignity is outraged in
her American temples. We quote a part of his
text on this subject, for the sake of adrnonition
"All the judges in the American courts enjoy
an immunity from wigs, and the judges of the
supreme court alone are clothed in silk attire ,
Their robes are black, and fashioned according to
the taste of the wearer examined four or five
Of them which were hanging up in the court, and
iound, although perfectly judicial, they display,
ed no small attention to taste in their cut and re.
neral appearance. proper degree of disrity
is required. and observed in the supreme court;
business is there conducted as it ought to be in
every court Of justice; but some of the state
courts are remarkably deficient in this respect;
even n the courthouse at Philadelphia. during
the sitting of the circuit court, have seen yen.
tleman. q counsellor of euinence, cooIy scat
himself on the table whilst a Judgment wa, be-
ing given, and in that attitude | have heard him
address some inrericcutory observations to the
court aud press them upon ITS attention with great
carnestncss and ability,
- | cannot understand whv more dignity, both
judicial aud forensic, should not be observed IN
the courts of the United States. have often been
IN the company OF American lawyers, who, as
individuals, were men OF gentlemanly manners
and excellent general information, which they
have ever evioc"h readiness to impart, but | do
not remember one who ever mentioned the sub
lcct al all, without admitting that proper want
OF the respect due to the time and place, is fire.
Quently but too visible in the American courts;
aud vet there is no Improvement. Silence, be-
ing indispensable, is well preserved; but counse!
and attorneys NAV be occasionally seen with their
legs dangling over he oack OF the chair or posi-
blv resting on the table. corresponding care
lessness OF manner is exhibited By the spectators.
have even observed persons with Their hats on
in cnurt. and upon enquiry have been told they
were Qlakers; but once or twice remember ha
wing taken the liberty Of doubling the infurma.
ton. | hope shall not be supposed TO mean
that no greater decorum is observed in the prin-
cipal courts of the larger cities than those held
at places OF minor Importance; am speaking OF
them generally as | found them when in travel.
ling.
happened to arrive at some place where
court was sitting, and just dropped in for half
an hour en- PEASANT: but still there is always
something even in the best Of them which, to an
English eye, appears undgnifed and indecoroIs;
although there can be doubt that their appear
ance is not mended BY the total absence OF wigs
aud gowns from all Of them"
Mr.. Nigue is surprised that no general bank
rupt law has been passed by Congress. He en-
tiers, concerning our legal principles and process
es. into details for which he acknowledges him.
self indebted - to the kind and able assistance of
4 gentleman of the Baltimore bar" lie enlarges
in like manner upon our political organization,
with mach dislike aud distrust of universal SUI,
frage, Of which, he atfirms, the intrinsic evils
are more uc Tess agknowledged and felt by large
proportion o.! the more enlightened class of Anne
rlcans. IL was into med" he SAYS. that votes
were very rarely bought with money. aud beliey-
ed il; bat the system vi treating is common
enough. -'l guess Mr. A. is Il" fittcst man of the
two. but t'olher aUhiskies the be- The influence
of petty denas"gues Is great; there being usual
" two or three in every village ant, he night
have added, number interspersed 80 all the
LARGE cities and towns, who regulate the machl-
merry of party and divide "the spells OF victory"
Mr.. Nisne interpretsa passage OF President Jack
sons Message of December, 1880. into a recon-.
mendAt OF the election of the President. i'm
mediately by the People, without the intervention
Of Electors; and he adds
..Should the mode Of election be altered. as
have Just supposed it NAV be, we may bid adieu
to the Union forthwith. When we consider the
increasing population OF the United States, the
immense variety of interests, and that every free
inhaoitant feels. may say, personally concerned
whether he be really so or not-in the success OF
his favorile candidate, we can, IL some measure.
foresee even under the present mode OF election,
how violent, how CONFUSING. at n" very distant
period. will be the Struggle and partyieeling ex-
hibited ut the election of an officer whose OPT
mons on the construction of the articles OF the
constitution during his short asceDdancy of four
years, will affect millions with sentiment OF at
tachment or disgust When General Jackson
came into Office. he Immediately thought proper
to turn out several hundred subordinate officers,
whose places were filled up by his own parity
The number of those who lost their places at the
commencement of any preceding presidency was
extremely small bearing no proportion whatever
to those dismissed by the General. The increas-
ing weight and Importance Of the affairs OF the
United States rendered it partly a matter Of ex
pediencv to do So, and in all human probability,
future presidents will find themselves obliged to