Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-07-01
Eqtrnct from Tic Speech Zero. w. WILLIAMS.
Esq, deferred IN Ike Kentucky Conuention.

| Esq, deliseysd IL Tie Kentucky Couventioa.
Ieb., 1850,
But it is ASSUMED that Judge elected ~ the
people, cannot be an Independent Judge Let this
be proved. Can it be | might with as much pro-
prety and truth assume that iudge apnointed h.,
the Governor, especially if he held his office for
term Of years, cannot be independent When gen.
tlemen talk OF an independent Judge what do ih.,,
| mean independent of what? independent ~
| the appointing power? TO owe no measure orr.
sponsibilty to the band that made him !? To feel
and to know that in the discharge of his duty he ia
wholly free from all improper influences. whict,
can be brought 10 bear upon him. by the po,ver that
brought him into office? Then be it so and how
Is 1t, that this biIfright of mans nature is tarnish
cd, and ne Is made to be creature without one
| independent thought, by bringing him into Office
at the hands of the people' Who are the people
Are the igants in our courts Of justice the peo.
pie! When the people speak as an appoirtina
power, 1t is by their united voice, not BY The VOICE
oil the lnslgnihcantly few who are engaged in liti
CATION. The great multitude The mighty massea
who are engaged in the peaceful vocatjons of a
quiet and an indus trious life; who know nothing
OF the chicanery OF your halls OF Justice and in
whose bosoms rerose the safety of cur instifu-
tons; who are intelligent, and who know the diff
ference between the demagogne and the patriot
statesman; between the challatan and The We'll in
formed, honest hearted iurist, will compose the an
pointing power--not those Who sue and are sued.
and if by chance an i'll minded sulservient. insru
iheht ana laWllhg syconhant. were TO get upon the
bench, and be willing to stain the purity Of the err
mine with which he is clothed. and were to act
upon the principle that his opinions as Judge.
must conform 10 the wishes OF those suitors whose
wealth or power or influence he might imagine
could most avail him, in his grasp for continued
office, by what rule shall he be governed in his
calculation Of the chances for success: Cases
extreme cases, are put one side every litJgant
is man of fortune and influence, on the other he
is poor, mean wretch, without money and with
out riends--the first has voted for the Judge, and
for the clerk and for tine sheriff. the other has yot
ed against them all, and it is asked in triumph, if
in such case as this the Judge can decide accord
ing to that which Is right. 1.-THE poor man has
the right on his part and corrupt inAge decide a.
gainst him. will not that Judge when he comes be.
fore the honest tribunal OF the people, be as apt to
find that the very act by which he expected 10
gain an advantage, has been the cause Of his defeat,
Such cases when put prove nothing. The truth is
hat sulors IN courts are, as general rule, to be
presumed as equals in fortune, standing and infu-
ence. and Judge, even if he be piece of plant
subseryiency, will fnd that his surest chances for
retaining his position, consist in the faithful dis
charge OF bis duties without regard to the conse-
qnences upon those who have appealed to the law
for redress. But after all, Mr. Chairman, there is
but one way to obtain all independent Judge, and
that Is to select an honest man, a man Of pure
heart, and virtuous life. Honesty is the true
metal out OF which you are to make an independ-
emf Judge Let aclear-headed well. Informed, hon.
estheared iurst go unon the bench, l care not
who appoints him to office, whether il be the gov
ernor OF the people, and venture that his judicial
conduct will reflect the man and represent the lar
even il the Heavens fall