Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-02-04

sort Of knowledge, may be acquired by such means
how one or two Aexandraes Will make the vulgar crd
stare-'Cosmogony' has converted the swind!er into
the man OF science. But this House, at least, ought
TO know what estimation to put upon such guackery.
We should know how to appreciate the delicacy and
taste OF the lawyer, who, hrnwn into mixed company,
introduces such subjects all may be convcrsan with,
without permitting that of ITSELF to lower opinion
OF his legal character So far from literary acquire
ments being Objectionable in Judge with il con-
stitutes if not the principal, at least very high
mendnt'on. Sir, give me the man who range the
vast fields of literature, and like the bee, TO his
cell loaded with the sweets collected from every flower,
and store them up for future For, in that difficult
and complicated profession, | taught to believe
that there is knowledge, it matters not how appa-
rcntly Observation-Disclosures no subject, II matters not
how apparently futile, but that has had, and necessari-
~ must forever have, an important bearing. Ltera-
ture liberalisps the mnd- hcghtens the ieelings-it
quickcns the intellect, and with Judges mbued with
IT'S spirit, you will have narrow, cramped, confined,
and preudced decisions; and those too, unoded upon
you after the fashion Milton describes certain gates to
open as "gratlng harsh thunder. But you will have
the law laid open before you in its naked and simple
grandeur, resting upon its broad principles and done,
tno as Mansfield, or a Brougham would do il, IN
"golden sound harmonious"
This much, SIR, have thought it necessary to say IN
consequence ofthc singular objections urged against Mr.
D. in private conversations But is he the mere Bellies
torney for the Commonwealth, for both the county and
superior courts of Campbell And he represented BY
those intimately acquainted with him, (and far more
competent to Judge of these than either myself
the gentleman from Lynchburg and Campbell, or any
other, with but few exceptions, who have participated
in this debate being the very best read lawyer in his
district. They say, he is well grounded in the fun
danental principles of jurisprudence; intimately ac-
quainted with the mnutn and techncaes Of his pro-
fcsson-and that his knowledge of the principles of
pbo, and
sured that this important branch of Jurisdiction,
which, in 1881, transferred to the Circuit Judges,
and with which they have hitherto not been well &C
quainted, would be discharged by Mr. John B. Dabney
with great promptness, accuracy and correctness. So
great the confidence which the bar has in his capa
city to investigate complex and difficult cases, that
informed, by the advice of counsel, many causes
have been taken ont Of court and submitted to Mr. Dab
neys decision, in consequence of their becoming
enangled and involved that decision could be
obtained by the agency OF the commissioners in chan
cerv and the present Judges whilst his decisions have
been so prompt correct and clear as to be gene
rally satisfactory TO all the parties concerned. And
sir understand that it has been a common thing to
appoint him judge in this way in counties in which he
does not practice, whilst high fees frequently
given him by both parties to induce him to travel from
home Thus sec this literary man is giant in the
law-whlst he can play upon the tabor, he can WELD
the sword and direct the canon-thc canons of the
law, sir But legal and literary a.tainments, though
important items in qualifying for judicial sta
ton are not the only requisites There be moral
ty good temper promptitude, rmness of purpose good
Judgment, honesty, integrity, and certain degree of
modcsty and urbanity duly proportoned and conlmin-
ged, in order to fit for that trying and difficult
office. And having all these qualities, it will give him
dignity and moral weight of character which vii!
enable him overawe and restrain the bar and keep
them up TO the strict rules of the practice. With al
Judge of different character, justice and the interests
of truth are sacrificed; and poor witness thrown into
this g!adiatoria forum, is hewed and hacked on this
side, poked and jobbed on that, and cut in and
pierced in 'front.' until at last, in his various shngs
and turnings to avoid all these disngrreablr things
though of truth and meaning to tell nothing else
he is made 10 lie enough to have his cropped for
perjury Now, Sir, Mr. Dabney possessed of all these
qualities in an eminent degree. And following the |
example Of the gentleman from Mecklenburg, adopt
all the pretty things which he and the gentleman from
Amelia have said in favor Of their friend in addition
10 all the niceties served up by the gentleman from
Lynclburg in favor of his nominee, being equally,
If applicable, to Mr. Dabney, than to the gen.
temen for whom they were intended For his moral
character uncxceptonabe, his department is modest
and unassumng-hIs manners mild and conciliating-
There is man who knows him that would be afraid
TO trust him in any situation And, Sir, cannot see
why this House will not trust him, and why he should
not be elected by large majority. For though some
gentlemen induced from considerations OF private
friendship to support their nominees, and others again,
fear, operated upon by party considerations, yet
Mr. D. some what resembles certain Athenan General
in one respect that whilst he is the first choice of ma
ny, he is the second choice of nearly the whole. lido
not believe that could select suitable person.
The habit Of his mind pre-emnently fits him for this
ofce-It to investigate truth without feeling
WISH that the result would fall side the other.
Mr. Speaker, was struck with peculiarly happy ex. !
preston of the correspondent alluded to- and hope nv
friend from Ptsylvania if there be no improperly in
it, will read that letter TO the House. think myself
il would not be improper since the gentleman from
Ameiia has introduced letters here But to proceed -
/ speaking Of this perfect mpartinlty of Mr. Dabney
the letter-wrer says "that in the administration of
Justice lie Dabney) would nearly realize that ce
LIBERATED definition Of Aristotle, shat law is pure intel
lect without passion, than any he had seen.
"Calm cool and selfpossesscd, continues the letter
writer reasonng in every thing, solely for the Disco
very Of TRUTH for victory, counsel before him
would feel well assured that every argument would
meet with due attention, and proper considerations
that there would be no hasty decisions, no jumping
to conclusions to avoid the labor of investigation,
and ne would decide nothing, without being able
to answer all the arguments on the opposite side
And when we reflect that he is no brawlinp partizan
po-house politician, but modest, retiring UMPIRE
sumng and unpretending man in all his manners and
habits, should pass him BY because his fame has not
been blazoned forth in the columns Of newspaper?-
Sir we should recolect the old adage that every thing
that gltters not gold And if we think to pick it up
in the streets and the hg hways, will get our peck
cts crammed with mica instead Of being filed with that
precious metal. We should likewise recoect that it
becomes Virginia, when she wishes to ornament her
bench, to look well into her hiding places and draw
forth her Jewels from their secret recesses And
my humble judgment, John Blair Dabney if elected,
would be Of the brightest of those many Jewels
E,rh tLab ano hocy