Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-09-27
TO the Democratic Wing Young Men
of the Common wealth..

SSSSiOhs
olution to amend the State Constitution, so as to
make the Judiciary elective by the people With
out intending to regard the measure as OF parti-
zan character, we would announce our acquies-
cence in it, and our disposition to unite with 9th
ers in ITS accomplishment. 1t may be apprehen-
ded that to make our judges the creatures of pop
ular election, will destroy their independence and
expose their integrity-,hat it will tend to admit
political bias in the execution of the laws. and
disturb with party spirit the impartiality of the
forum. But we consider this as an objection more
plausible than real especially as the experiment
in other States has raised the character of the
Bench, and purified the administration ofjustice
1t is na,ura indeed, that any serious innovation
i'll governments, particularly in so critical matter
as the constitution of the Judiciary, should en-
counter the considerate hesitation of all prudent
and deliberate minds But this is not necessar-
lily an argument against the expedency of a re-
form since the fears of the judicious have always
attended alterations in vital articles of constitution
al law, from the first to the latest stages of pro-
gress in political improvement. As regards the
proposed change in the law of this State, how
ever we think that the most timid or crcumspect
need entertain such scruples-for in any event.
the experiment cannot result in greater evils than
the present mode of selecting our judicial officers
has already produced. Public experience testifes
that our Executives have been, in a gross degree,
the servitors of party, and that in the appoint
ment Of our judges, party motives have so far op-
Grated, that the men selected to administer the
laws have been, in majority Of instances not on
| ly incapable, but, with few exceptions, have used
their official patronage in promoting political ia
vorites and party interests
The only evils. therefore, which an elective ju-
dietary would seem to threaten, are conspicu-
ously incident to judiciary dependent upon Ex-
ecutive appointment; and as the plan pursued
now is extremely bad, we may conclude that al
most any change would take direction TO wards
reform. But we are the more ready to adopt the
change suggested, because it will transfer TO the
people the choice of their judicial servants; for
we believe that the people, whenever they under
stand their interests, will always be more faithful
with their administration, than any one or more
persons to whom they may delegate the right of
election. In this connection we may appropri-
ately submit a few reflections upon the grave ma
ture of the elective franchise as popular right.
n Extended, as it already is, under our free gov
ernment, there is an obvious tendency 10 enlarge
the limits of It's application, so that it is possible
+ the time may come when every state officer will
! be made Immediately elective by the people.
i In prospect of such event, the right of suf
frage presents itself to view as right of ex-
I traordinary responsibility and magnitude.
} Yet, great as it is, we may fully assume that
/ few Of us justly appreciate or fully understand
i this almost humanity speaking, omnipotent power.
/ 1t may well be doubted. the majority of those
who exercise the trust, ever do so with an ade-
quate view of its whole extent ofinfuence, or with
due care of the consequences of its use to them
selves, either as individuals or as community.
i Wherever the privilege is enjoyed, no matter
under what limitations, it must be considered as
: one of high and peculiar obligation. But to a
citizen of the American Republic, it is especially
valuable, sacred and solemn. Nowhere else is
it's exercise so universal, SO unrestricted, and
therefore, so vital to the safety and welfare Of
society. es.x 49, -~ss 9 20
4 Every trust Of political power, from the least
to the greatest, is here, either Immediately or d.
Irectly, delegated through it. 1t may be said to
omprehend-certainly to enforce and project
every other political right of the people. 1t RAM
ifies through every yen it imparts vigor to every
!, snew of the government. 1t pervades, as its
very life blood the entire body of the constitution
4 There is no act, no law. no resolution-legisa.
tive or executive, that is not here, in this free
land, derived, directly or indirectly, through the
elective franchise from that great heart and source
4 of power--the popular acM. esgs Ew
i Every interest of the ctzens, whether private
or public-whether eHecting him simplyzin his
pers onal relations, of connecting him politically
4 with the fortunes of his country. is some how,
I land in some measure. dependant upon his voice
.linathe making ard administering ofthe laws. ~
n UNIVERSAL free, pervasive as the right OF suf-
frage is under our republican system. it cannot
but appear that, If the happiness ofa state de-
Ipends upon its goyefnmehf,s,he happiness of the
4 Americanspsop must depend upon the faithful,
1punc,ual, intelligent exercise Of that right upon