Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-05-29

disposed, with the gentleman from Beaver
(Mr. Alison, 10 regard his refusal 10 take
par. in our political struggles, as an OBJ
lection TO his elevation 10 any post OF honor
or profit.
Whv, sir. we all come here fresh from
the political arena, with the smoke anc
dust of the contes, still upon our garments,
and vet, as the gentleman from Adams
fMr. Smyse~) has well observed, this House
has ye, 10 witness single act upon The
part Of any of its members. tending &c
show that men are contaminated or cor
rup,ed by coming in contact with the peo'
pie. True, the gentleman from Hunting
ton Mr.. Cornyn) has told US that we per.
nit political considerations to control our
actions bu, he should also remember tina,
our constituents send rs hare with knoHl-
edge of our po.lica! viega, and under the
expectation that we will honorably carry
them out. And. the very fact that we
are true 10 on. principles, and honestly
and consistently advocate and sustain them,
is of itself the strongest argument that can
be advanced in support Of the doctrine,
that politicians are not necessarily rogues.
But, sir, how different from the purposes
for which they sent US here, would be The
object the people would have in view in
the election of Judges. Then, political
considerations would be lost 81 ght Of in the
great and governing desire to select man
who would do justice 10 all parties, under
any circumstances. and in every situation
in which he nigh. be placed. no matter
how trying.
II a case could unfortunately arise, in
which man, called TO ill the exalted STA
ton OF Judge Of orc of cur courts, co1'd
SO far forge, himsell--could become so
callous to the better feelings Of our nature,
as TO carry with him upon the bench his
private piques and jealousles-as TO permit
his feelings to overcome his judgment. and
his passions and prejudices TO run riot with
his reason; then, indeed, might the law
well be scorned, ,derided and despised; then
might justice well permit the scales to fall
unbdden from her palsied grasp, and,
shrinking from the indguan, gaze Of hon
est men, cover the ermne with the haoili.
ments OF woe, and hide herself in the nmos'
reccsses OF her desecra,ed temple.
But anticipate no such results from he
proposed change. Why should there be any
such7 Or rather, sir-ior that is the
proper queslion-why should these conse.
quences be more likely to follow the pro-
posed system Of e!ccting Judges, than the
presen, mode of appointments :
Let Us look at the two systems. The
people are all vita'ly interested in having
man OF ability, of high legal atlainments,
and OF un9ues;ionable integrity. upon the
bench, and they will seleo, no man for that
high Office who will moi he both pure and
unsuspec,ed. This, their intimate acquan-
!ance with all their lawyers, will enable
them to do for they are not merely con-
versant with the legal abilities oil the attor-
neys Of the district, but they read their
characters, and know full well "who prac-
iIce The law, so as not TO forget the sospel.'
Upon the other hand, why should the
whole Judicial power OF The Commonwealth
be brough; to the feet OF Governor! What
has invested him with the erciusiue ability
to decide upon the respective merits Of the
different applicants He is not elected with
reference TO MS qualifications 10 make pro-
per judicial appointments, for no one in the
hea. and eXcitemcn, of a guEerDatorial
election ever pauses 10 ask himself the
question. wha, kind Of judges will this or
tha, candidate appoint in the event Of bis
election Who then has endowed the
Executive with omniscience? How has
he acquired the power TO look into The
hearts Of men, and see the rank corruption
lha, oiien testers there In most instance,
he is personally unacauaiu!ed with the ap-
pican;s. II, then, he undertakes to decide
for himself, regardless of petitions and the
popular voice. the appointment would be,
emphatically a lo,tery-a farce,
But if he prefers consulting the wishes
of the people of the district, ,and is governed
in his choice by their petitions and recon-.
mendaiiops, then all the objections urged
by the gentlemen agalns! an elective judi
cary, come home directly and forcibly
upon themselves. 1t would be. bu, carry
ing ont the popular will through different
channel, with this exception, that it might
be carrying ou, the will Of minority in
stead of that oflhc majority for o! course
the Governor is expected TO appoint a
man belonging to the same political party
with himself, whether that party is in the
majority OF minority in the district.
Sir, is not the present mode Of appoint.