The North-Carolina standard., 1850-01-23
..sgSS ~ For the North Carolipa 8taHdard. &
ELECTION OF. JUDGES By THE PEOPLE.

This question begins 10 excitea deep interest ID
the minds Of the people Of the State. May who
upon the first suggestion Of the principle sssmed to
draw back from It and be fearful of its consequences
upon more mature and calm consideration ata boldly,
and fearessly, and honestly declaring themselves in
favor Of this measure Of reform. sssSsesae
Both Wings and Democrats are discafding their
party allegiance and uniting upon measures for the
improvement Of the State. Already are We expert
encing the beneficial results of this state of eeing by
the impulse given to the energies Of the Sta She
is awakening from her lethargy and preparing to take
her position among her sisters which her merits
Justly entitle her Let them continue this policy upon
every question which rises above party politics.
That the elections of the judges have tendency to
keep their character pure no can doubt, who has
travelled in those States where such is the case.
few years ago, when the great revulsion OF money
matters took place in Mississippi, afforded many
proofs of this fact. Court was to be held IN va
zoo County. The people were very much indebted,
and many suits were to be tried. The debtors, who
were the more numerous body, assembled. They
threatened the Judge. if he held his Court, with
coat of tar and feathers. What did he do1 Was he
deferred by their threats from performing his duty!
No. He told them ss they might murder hm-they
might tear him to pieces limb by limb. but he knew
the path Of duty and intended to follow it, Where
is the Judge in North Carolina any where else, ca
pable Of more noble act OF heroism And what were
the consequences? The people, who always honor
virtue. trumphantly sustained him, and he became
more popular on this account. He held his Court
tried his cases. and rendered his verdics against the
debtors and displayed Roman fortitude rarely found
among the elects of the Legislatures. And who are
the members of the Legislature! Are they not the
creatures of the people! How came the creatures
so much wiser than their creators? 1t is foly-itis
perfectly ridiculous to believethey For myself
have an abiding confidence In the hard sober sense
and sound judgment of the people. 1T is almost in
variably right Is not the Government formed for
the greatest happiness, of the largest number Why
not then let the majority have their rule in this mater
That long and irresponsible tenures of office have
tendency render those holding them corrupt, we
need only refer to the lustrous example of Lord
Bacon. He stood upon the highest pinnacle of So
ciety; yet, not only took brbes, but he took them
upon both sides Of the same question. And have
there not been decisions in North Carolina at which
any honest man ght blush ?-decsions which have
lent their countenance to crime and given a reward
to theft! Look to the records and see.
The popular voice is the corrective of this evil.
Somuch confidence had that great Apostle of Liberty,
Mr.. Jefferson it, that he adopted his motto, 'voa
tentions If led astray for awhile by designing men.
they will return to what is right. when better
Informed.
| The evils inflicted upon community by an unjust
Judge irreparable Resume then, fellow citizens,
your power over that in which you have such deep
interest. Let those who have so much power over
your persons and your property feel their immediate
responsibility to and dependence upon you. 1t is a
question before which who shall be your Governors,
Senators, and Members of Congress, sinks into
utter insignifcance. They have but a small share in
the framing of those lawsby which you are governed
You jealous Of your rights in securing their res
possibility to you Why not be equally so with the
who is to decide upon the evidence and facts as
we'll as that law when made! Eternal vigilance is
the price Of liberty. Look well into those matters
which Immediately and directly concern you. Son.
Of Carolina, lag not in the march of improvement
Sleep not in this day of watchfnlness Go on, al
you have begun, in your career of Improvement.
| A DEMOCRAT.