Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-04-04
FOR TIE ENQUIRER.
To The Votcrs of HE York Congressional District.

To The Potcrs Of The York Congressional District.
Immediately after information OF the confirmation OF
Mr.. Wise, Minister TO Brazil, reached this county
unde stood that effort would be made 10 place my
name before the srlc candidate TO represent II
in the Congress of the United States There were oh.
stacles to my becoming candidate OF such embar
RAISING nature to me, that determined once if DOS
sibe to arrest the movemen and dId every thing IN
my power 10 do il. Notwithstanding, a very large
meeting Of the people of my native county, TO whom
am under many obligations, nominated me, and called
upon the strongest terms 10 accept the nomina-
ton; and they informed me that it was neither expect
ed desired, that should resign my Judgeshlp IN.
less my election to Congress made 1t necessary for me
to repair to Washington. also called upon by a
Committee Of gentlemen of Northampton, OF the high.
est character, TO become a candidate; and they, too
without knowing of the obstacles referred tn, informed
me that it was not expected or desired either by friends
or political opponents, that | should resign my ofice
unless elected. had difficulty, notwths,and-
ing in deciding that would not enter personally and
actively into political canvass uhile ,cos up0n he
Jench although thu exampl, Of eminent Judges would
hav jusie IT, But was told, tina, this was no. IN
dis sable; and that it only asked that my name
might be presented 10 the voters Of the District for
their voluntary and unsolicited suffrage. then cons:
dered whether might consent 10 this. My most dis.
Greet friends advised ne, not Only that might do il,
but that bound tn do IT, looked into the precc-
dents upon the subject, and found them TO be of the
most conclusive character. As desire to make this
address as brief possible shall only refer to few
Of them.
In New York, whose judiciary stands az high for
purity and devotion of character as any in this or Gny
other Country, has been The constant practice for the
highest Judicial officers, to become candidates for pc
lca preferment, without res'gning their seats upon
the bench. recoect the cases Of Chief Jus.
tce Yates, Morgan Lewis and Daniel D. Tnmrkns
afterwards Vice President Of tha L. S. each oil whom
dereR: times, became candidate for the Office of
Governor of New York while they were Judges Of the
Supreme Court OF that State A. the time referred to
The Supreme Court held circuits in every county in
the State and the Governor elected directly By
the people. But the strongest case which has ever
occurred, is that Of John Jay who, in 1892 while he
was CHIEF JUSTICE Or THE SUPREME CouRr or the
U. STATES, and held the Circuit Court for ~ York
became n candidate for the Office of Governor of that
Sate, during of the most exciting contests which
ever took place in it, defeated by Old George
Clinton and continued 10 hold his office of Chief Jus
tee, until he wos sent Minister 10 England by General
Washington, III 1874 This is the strongest case which
could occur. 1t is that OF the most exalted Judicial
officer in the country, and who presides according 10
the tenels OF his own school, in the tribunal Of last re-
sort in the decision Of oil constitutional questions
which are always more or less party questions These
occurred in The purer days OF the Republic ard
The strongest one Of them is of who had great
aversion TO political life, and who enjoyed emnenty
the confidence of Washington. do not refer 10 his OK
ample 10 approve IT. which am far very far from doing
Ana IN tEls STATE Judge Boulul was elected TO Con-
gress while he was upon the bench and although the
elections then extended through ali entire month"; he did
not resign until they OF the cases mention
cd, Lewis and TompEins were Democrats Yates and
Jay, Federasts. They presided in Surrem Courts
and how much stronger their case than that of Cir
cult Court Judge in Virginia, from whose decisions in
almost every case, appeals lie, and before whom party
questions cannot come refused 10 follow tie example
set by these high functonaries BY giving unqualified
permission 10 my friends 10 present candidate.
But wrote them letter, which hoped at the same
Time that it should manifest becoming disposition 10
yield 10 their wishes, would induce them to abandon
them, and to provide for the contingency of its not pro-
ducing that effect
annexed condition, that my name if presented to
the district by my friends under these
should be instantly withdrawn, if their movement
dsapproved by any respectable portion Of the Repub
can party. With these restrictions, | placed my
self in The hands Of old and weltrIed friends, whom
believed to be disnerested and judcious They, not
myself, have declared me n candidate. In the
time have been nominated by several of the counties
on the Western Shore, by whom | have been called
upon very urgently enter at into the
That canvass has already been commenced with great
activity, by my opponents; and understand that The
position IN which have been placed, is assaed with
great acrimnny by some of them. | see that my char
acter, to protect which my highest duty, and which
urperformed will disable from performing efficiently
any other and my principles danger OF suffering,
unless change it, have alternative therefore,
but to reverse what my friends have DONE and w:th-
draw my name from the canvass-or resign my Judge
ship. As far as my interests and lncnat'ons
concerned would grealy prefer the former. But the
latter under all the circumstances, is the one think
ought TO select II is the of dsinterestednsss and
sacrifice, and which, with all candid men, Will place
my motives above suspicion. The only obstacle, not
personal TO myself Of which there very great,
il the one referred to in my letter 10 the Accomac
Committee, (which has already been published i
my anxiety to dispose of some causes already in
my hands. But am advised by friends, some Of whom
enjoy the confidence Of the public in eminent de-
gree, and whose Names if were at liberty to obtrude
them before the country, would give great weight to
their opinions, advise that | mistake the obliga-
tons of duty, which greatly preponderate in favor Of
obeying what to be the will Of the public, TO
upon ferent theatre They say, that the in
convenience alluded to is such always follows the
transfer OF Judge, and of which there ought not 10
be complaint. BE this it may, it is very certain,
that the manner in which ] got possession OF these
causes greatly relieves me. 1t is known to the
sci engaged in the most important of them that they
could not have been heard in the ordinary course o:
business in the courts On the contrary, | was only
enabled to reach them by sitting during other than
the usual court hours, and by undergoing ex.en;
of labor which my duty did not require of me. To
this know every member OF my late bar will testify
This fact, although it does not diminish my anxiety
to dispose of these cases, bu the contrary, estab
fishes it, will certainly, think, exempt from the
of those who will be put 10 the inconvenience
Of short delny-an Inconvenience which greaty
regret, and from which | would gladly relieve them
if circumstances, beyond my control, did not prevent
it.
shall resign my judgeship, and enter upon &C
tive canvass of the district | expect 10 lie al Mat
thews court the Sh of April al Gloucester the
9h; and al Warwick on the l,h ; Mt which places
Mr.. Garter and myself, by arrangement, will meet
The public will be duly appriz. OF our movements
thereafter.
Very respectfully, your obd't serv't,
TIL. II. BAYLY.
Accomac, March Both, 1914.
TO THE EDITORS OF THE ENQUIRER.
SIRs,-1 send you the following text for an article
II is from the New York Tribune of the I'd March. IL
seems to ME that the man who would deliberately pen