Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-03-13
JUDICIAL pENuRE.


Extractsfrom speeches lathe Convention Of 1899
$50. Mr.. JOHNSON said:
"Nthat was the object Of creating anindependent
Judcisry7 WAS it merely to secure the salaries
of few men7 Far ftomit. That did moi even
enter into the question. III was 10 enable the pour
and despised man ,o'c0me on equal terms into cdn.
troversy with the rich and the powerful IT was to
enable the unpopular man to appeal with confidence
to the tribunal of his country, against the popular
idol of the day. 4, was to enable the humblest cit
izen in the community 10 stand firm and erect be-:
fore the Commonwealth ITSELF In a political point
Of view, it was to enable the Judicial branch Of the
Government to prescribe limitations TO Legislative
power ITSELF But, could it answer these noblcst
and best Of ends, if lis functonaries, before they
pronounced decision. were to look at its efectup-
on their own subsistence, aud the comforts OF all
whom they loved? Compel Judge to look at
this, and he could soon find waysand means OF JUS
tfying any decision which his interest or his safety
might require II ouk but little trouble 70 muster
up law enough 10 effect such ain erd. The laie
Judge Peudeton used to say, that wlfen a cause
had been examined by him, the first question Ire
asked himself was, which decision does JdstIce re-
quire? And then he Sc, about to lind law to sus-
tain that decision. Set Judge 10 enquire what
does policy demand, and he was drveller If ne
could not find law for it. None ought To drive. or
wish 10 drive any Judge toconsult such unworthy
motives.
Mr.. Scorr. Alta very early period OF my life,
I imtibed the sentiment. that no form OF. Govern
ment, however excellent in other respects can long
secure tire liberty and happiness of the people, with
out an independent Judiciary. This sentiment was
deeply planted in my BOSOM II has grown with
nv growth and strengthened with my strength
For what purpose, sir do we enter into civil scc'e-
ty? For what purpose is all this machinery OF
Government constructed ? Why are laws enacied
To protect the weak against the strong. The strong
can protect themselves without the aid of laws
Where will the weak find refuge and protection,
but in your Courts Of Justice? If your Judges
are dependent, will they depend upon the weak or
the strong2
Mr.. MARSHALL. have always thought, from
earliest youth ill now. that the greatest sconrge an
angry Heaven ever inflicted upon an ungraienl
and SHINING people, was an ignorant. corrupt
or dependent Judiciary. Will you draw down
this curse upon Virginia 2
Mr. GILES There was no gentleman IN the
Convention more disposed for the maintenance OF
the independence Of the Judicial office than he was
He was decidedly in favor of tenure during good be-
havinur You cant bny that lndePend-
ence (of the Judiciary too dear.
THr SOUTHERN CONVENTION. 1T is to be hop
ed tina, long before the time arrives for the meeting
Of tho Convention at Nashville all occasion for its
assembling at all will have passed away AS a
measure Of remedy in any case it mast be regarded
as very desperate one, and it would he IN hself
grievance more serious than any il could be likely to
redress. In ausion to this convention The Nashville
True Wing says:
As we are not in The secrets Of The movers in this
| Convention, and as we are soulherner and may be
supposed To have as many rights as most southern
men and being naturally disposed TO stand by our
rights abou, as firmly as most men, we would re-
spec,fully ask what is the Southern Convention to
do when il assemblies here2 We are sincere-in our
desire to be Informed on this subject? We have
M, taken ground on this subject, and want informa-
lion before doing So II is true, we see no necess-
tv, at present, for such convention Its friends,
from what little we can gather from their journals,
do not propose 10 take violent actions upon or against
any measure which has heretofore passed Congress
bni is to adopt the "mode and measure Of redress"
in case that The Wmot provso OF kindred measures
should be passed by Congress. And what the peo,
ple of the South, who are not in the secret want TO
| know is, what are the "mode and manner of re-
dress 2" And what are the "kindred measures"
The enemies of the Convention say that il isa Dis
,tnior movement, while its friends say that it is
movement pregnan, with patriotism. Such Con
venon is an unusual thing in this country, and re-
qures to be explained to the people before they can
determine whether it is disunion or patriotic
movement
MEETING IN BALrlMoRE.-A largeand enthusi-
as,ic mass meeting flhe citizens of Baltimore was
held in that city on Monday evening" the 4th ins:.,
10 give expression to the public sentiment in favor
Of the perpeluily of the Union. The Mayor ofthe