The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-13
For the Spirit of Democracy.
TO THE PEOPLE OF OHIO.

attempt was made TO show, that per
feet probity and purity of intention ir
the election of Judges might be attribu
ted to the electoral body. That cor
ruption in a majority of the people is
an imposslbiity. That the meagre few
who might cast their votes under the
guidance of wrong or sinister motives
would be lost in the crowd. And that
their influence would be neutralized by
inevitable differences of intention and
motive amongst themselves.
In the present number, we take the
position that perfect purity and probity
OF intention cannot reasonably be ex-
tpected in our present mode of electing
Judges by the instrumentality of the
General Assembly; but that on the
contrary our judicial elections under
our present constitution, must ordina-
rily be the offspring of wire-working,
log-roling, management and intrigue.
1t is not supposed that actual, acknowl-
edged corruption often enters into the
elections made by the General Assem-
bly,. Gross intentional corruption is
not the evil, which we have to fear
1t is of rare occurrence. Nor is it by
such means that the institutions of n
free and generous people are under
mined overthrown and destroyed. -
Vice is odious. Her features are for.
bidding and deformed. Men do not
like TO gaze upon her horrid face. Nor
do they like to become conscious to
themselves Of acting upon base and sor-
did motives. The malaria which rises
from stagnant marsh, and scatters di-
sease and death far and near, is imper-
ceptible to all the senses. So bad
system of government may produce the
most deleterious effects upon the affairs
of great people, without any one of
their public servants being knowingly
guilty of turpitude and treachery. 1t
is an insidious but pestilential influence
which In the opinion Of wise and good
men, now vitiates and degrades our le-
gisIative elections. Let us suppose the
case of a candidate for seat on the
bench Of the Court of Common Pleas
of one of our eastern counties or dis
tricts. He is either known to major
ity of the General Assembly, by charac-
ter and reputation, or he is unknown.
If known, he may be known as faith
full advocate of eastern interests-as
determined friend Of a light and cheap
government, and above all, as a reso-
lutte and untiring enemy of that vast
and colossal system of fraud and spec
uation, which, under specious and
imposing name, has bestowed millions
and millions of the peoples treasure
upon set Of unprincipled adventures.
If so, his doom is sealed. No enquiry
will be made as to his qualifications
Whether he is learned, grave, discreet,
mild. patient and determined. Wheth-
er he is bland of manners, kind OF heart,
and indefatigable in labor. Whether
the interests of the eastern people would
be promoted by his election or not. On
the contrary the virtues of Washing
ton, the learning and talents Of Mar
shall, the genius Of Jefferson and Ham
iton united in his person, if such a
bright assemblage were possible, would
be of no avail. His election would be
impossible and his rejection certain.
Or rather his friends despairing Of ever
obtaining forgiveness for his offences
would refuse to propose him.
But on the other hand, suppose the
candidate 10 be known for his subservi
ency to the central power which has
its throne at Columbus. Suppose that
he has voted for schemes of mIsculled
internal Improvement; that he has been
forward to smooth the path of sharp
and unconscientious spectators 10 the
public treasury; that he has helped to
unbar its doors and let them in TO the
work of plunder; why then his election
will be easy, but he has betrayed his
trust and is unworthy TO be elected!!!
But the candidate may be almost un-
knawn IN the General A ssembly. or