Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-12-31
To the Editors Of the Wig:


Try, nirinseslly invested with authority. They mme-
dsiey exercise much control the rights properly, for
tunes and reputation OF many, ALL who reside in their
respective Judicial circuits. BY sort OF conventional
agreement they and their families, together with Lawyers
Of eminence, fo:m the first class Of society," and
to public opinion in almost all its various notifications.
The humble cuzen regards the Judge with profound
pee II not with The man OF wealth is desi
concate him, for in his hands the balances by
which his rights be weighed and his difficulties be
adjusted. The intelligent man o character looks upon
him with attention, for he takes it for granted that the
is bestowed upon the intelligent and tie
honest This is right The influence and authority Of
the bench and the msesty Of the law had much better be
enforced by the willing acquiescence OF enlightened
public mind aud the purity OF the former than the harsh
and rgour the latter The ends Ct the law and the
purposes Of JUSTICE thus effected, without producing
those consequences from which other countries have
severely suffered. The evils. however, have in most
all instances arisen from the corruption OF the bench, rather
than from the impeection the impurity OF law. Law
is metaphysical and equal its bearing IL knows dis
tHction between man and man. IL Is made alike for the
benefit and government OF all, and 1t fails 10 effect this
object caused by the unarness and Partially with which
IL Is administered Good laws OF immense moment
the public But good ana honest Judges their en-.
tocement and without them bes, law devised by
legislative wisdom is OF avail for IL Only enforced
when the preudices Partially OF the bench prompt them
| to discharge their duties in proper manner. The
conduct OF the Judges then in Virginia should never be
shielded from scrutiny and investigation. The Of
impeachment Slow and Its result uncertain The judg
themselves complain OF this, Tor they high
place and public estimation, and certain to
ever fragrant the abuses they may commit. All
injured by Judicial favorism. The favourite and his
friends consolidated and they generally fnd 1t easy
matter 10 defend the judge at least camorous
in his justice ms skill bis know
that behind him they hide und themselves.
The Judges OF Va a, least Of them (but will
not call names yet awhe) falling and have already ia
len the perncous and Objectionable habi,s-hey
forget when upon the bench, that try judges They
allow themselves to be mislead-not unirequently TO be
brow beaten-snd stormed from their positions This may
arse from want of manly but modest cnnhdeHeo IN
,hsmsevfs or T. NAV be attributed TO woa deficiency OF
dsquaes and disgraces the bench aud Justly renders the
Judge tue contempt Of oil high minded and honor
able men, IL may the other hand result from the artce
and which superior counsel have the right
Men OF great ability and virtue upon the bench in
other countries have been swayed by ingenious advocates
prac ising their Lord Coke was the tria OF
feacha, o'eHeoched ny the o'ershadO"lng powers oi
Bacon and induced TO acquicsce III his iornes after he
bad again and bgsn declared his solemn purpose
resist THIS barbarous usage Then long abandoned
result from conscious incompeency TO h the station
and at ali events direct Of the
peroriy Of him whuse opinions, when delivered in argu
ment, the embodiment Of tho opinions Of the court
and the unering shadow OF the coming decree. From
Whatever cause, in whatever mode be Produced
il endangers the safety Of pub ic rights, destroys the e
feet Of law, IL contamnstes the fountains OF eqiity and
the Of the country into farcical and
dcuous pageant which 'tho Just Judge" supplsnted
by the able, and may be. in many honest but
well feed lawyer. Ii is also becoming custom Of too
much prevalence to form at the court houses OF the dl
counties Of Stale, OF coerie, which cUs-
itself IN the spscIous FORMS about the Judge,
poisonous vine cings and enwines iis fatal branches
about the trunk U valuable growth, adding nothing,
in fact It's appearance, but much diminishing its useful
ness These associations are generally headed by some
Srul aud shsrpsighted Spectator, who we'll knows how
much no exposed TO the danger Of law suits and wise
y therefore, thinks thar the Judge being propated he is
at least Of the most decided Judicial bias, whenever
he comes into court with his lees favored antagonist To
effect this purpose he becomes the champion Of the Judge
He plies him with abject haery when Is advisable,
when the purpose must be cautiously concealed, he
TO the polished of his nearious scheme and by
thousand delicate touches Of his pacused hand, wins
the Judge, that before lie Is aware Of IT, he 10
actually unfit 20 preside in cause where OF ,he
particular tapoTitss Is party. Ills downy BEDS his
sparkling aud delicious wines, his ample and bounteOus
board. ell arIuly proered, and sometimes innoceDuy
accepted Every device Is resored to by the unpnncpled
ycophant and received by the unmany and stupid Judge,
the offerings OF ordinary friendship But the public al
disposed and contend Justly To regard these
particular friendships with suspicion for the and the
continuation Of Them too often plainly visible upon the
Bench. Why should the Judge form the intimate al
isnces Of friendship with whom he knows daily
and hourly exposed TO the dangers Of detection in the
blacklist and most startling frauds1 Why should he
cep their hospitality Does he always, and from every
one receive these extraordinary disclosures Of attachment
lie will find gentlemen every where, attentive end respect
fol 10 him, but this all and 10 this relation, body
object; and no body but smpeton would. The public
do not cOncede iniaiby to Judge. lie should shape
his prevent suspicion against HE impar-
atty When man II regarded as an especial object Of
Judicial consideration tho JJdgo has forfeited public conf
dtnce, and the mystical Oice and majesty Of law in his
circuit s gone. But II cannot fail, sooner later, TO
eventuats in Judicial corruption. Judges
corrupt without motive. They only partial to their
friends; they blinded by the well yeled articles
Of unprocped deceivers cunning fayortes Either is
unsuerabe. They entitled to their personal and pri.
vaie Preference but they public servants they
no right TO allow themselves be duped sweryod by
any combination. earthly influence. All history proves
that Judicial eorptons have resulted from favountes.
Vers corrupted bacon IN the first instance. and that
tOnshngly able Jurst last proved to have received
! palry bride from Aubrey, humble sutton in
his court. Hastings ruled the official conduct oi
the infamous Impey, who at the mo Of his appoint
mont TO tho bench Of India celebrated for virtue afd ab
| ". These are instances drawn from high life, but sl
from the bench. There Is Vllers Hastings In Viz.
gina and all admit there is Bacon. But II Bacon and
ImPoy could be corrupted by fayourtsn and gold we
may conclude that the same appliances less extensively
used perhaps mag be equally certain produce tho
Tesas At any rate, unwilling 10 risk H. and the
fret appearance Of such evil deserves and will receive
the censurs Of all honest men.
During the coming year, shall examine 81 my leisure
more particularly, the and faults which our
Judges falling. n this bolt has pierced the bosom Of
any Of them, IL has done Ne good work. The wound will
be likely to show ITSELF and while il may fos,or may
neal ,be disease, BRACTON.