Southern telegraph., 1837-10-10
TO TILE VOTERS
Ofhe first Judicial District Of mississippi
composed ofhe Counties of Adams,
Jefferson, Claiborne, Warren

composed Of the COHRtIeS OF Adams,
Jefferson, Claiborne, Warren
and Washington:
Through the solicitations of numerous
friends and in compliance with their wish
es, my namo has been placed before you
as a candidate for the Office of Judge of the
first Judicial District of this State.
bad therefore, intended, when my
name was first announced, to visit the varir-
Gus parts the district with view of hecom-
ing more extensively acquainted with the
people, in order that they might be better
enabled to judge of my fitness for the office
to which ! aspire, and of my capacity for
discharging the duties thereof.
From this however have been prevent
ed by the continued absence ofmy partner,
Judge Vanncrson, from tae State, and the
press of professional business to the APP
preaching terms Of oar Criminal and Cir
cult Courts. | have ihrefore thought it eX-
pedIent to embrace this mode of addressing
you.
The judiciary, in our complex system Of
government, forms co-oqlal and co-ordi-
nate department; and although such is the
general understanding of the people, vet
am inclined to believe that in the midst of
popular elections which take place at stated
periods, when they are called upon to Sc
lect so many officers, many of them too, of
high importance; they are apt perhaps, to
place too low an estimate upon that depart
mcnt.
Courts of Justice ah'rl the surcst and
most imml date protection 10 the weak
against the aggressions of the strong, and
being the means by and through which
justice is administered to the citizen, they
are more closely and intimately connected
with all the social relations of life. than
any other department of government. In
vain might the law declare and define the
rights OF the citizen, in the enjoyment of
llle, liberty, reputation and property, if it
were not for the protection afforded by the
courts OF justice in the administration of that
law Hence, among the intelligent part
OF mankind, an Independent and enlighten-
ed Judiciary has been always considered
the greatest sateguard-the bulwark of the
people.
Without an able and impartial admins
'ra'lon OF justice, no people can long enjoy
peace, order or happiness-t is not only
necessary for the wel-boing of society, but
Its very existence depends upon it: and
to ensure such an administration of tho law,
the character of the Judges should not only
be dlgnIiied and Independent but above re-
proach. This independence of character
can only be maintained by the Judges
so administering the law as to inspire the
people with proper regard for the court of
justice. Much of their usefulness depends
upon the the confidence of the public.
How important, then, that Judge, in dis
charging the arduous and responsible duties
ofhis station, should not only feel but act as
tho he felt superior to every circumstance
calculated in the slightest degree, to exer-
else an undue influence over the under
standing.
Such are briefly, some of nv views
touching the Judicial department of our
governmcnt,and the duties ola judicial func-
tionary. In conclusion will only add. that.
should be honoredby you with office seek.
shall endeayor to act in accordance with
those views, and shall use every exertion in
my power to deserve continuance of vour
confidence, by prompt, impartial and IN
dependent discharge of the duties of HE
station.
GRAFTON BAKER.
Natchoz, Sept Is, 1897.