The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-03-20
WrLKHs- BARRE, Feb IS, 1851.

Gsntlemen.-Your esteemed favor asking
me to permit my name 10 be used as a can.
dida,e Tor the Supreme Bench, was received
during my late circui. through the 4th dis.
triot and would have been sooner answered
but for the multiplied and absorbing duties
Of \ last term of Court which left me no
time for correspondence.
When I was at Harrisburg in the early
part Of tho winter, the impression seemed
to be general that | desired and expected a
nomination for the Supreme Bench, and from
all I heard and saw, I was constrained to
think that my nomination depended on my
own consent. To every individual, however
with whom ! spoke on III. lie sutsjsct I declar-
ed my determination not to be a candidate.
When ! came in your district to hold my
last Courts, the suhjec. was daily pressed on
my attention. The prevalent desire seemed
to be that l should run for President Judge
OF that district, but as it was pretty well un.
derstood that | was determined not 10 do
that, many people took pains to express YER
bally the desire you have couched in terms
OF SO much kindness in your letter. On all
occasions declared my determination to be
a candidate for no judicial station. I feel
obligedt to repeat 10 you, Gentlemen, the an
swer have so often given bslore. My pur.
pose is fixed, and cannot anticipate circum.
stances that would induce me to change it,
to avoid all judicial office and devote my.
self, for a few years at least, TO professional
life.
Every man must be his W Judge in
such matters, and his conclusions when de
liberately formed and distinctly expressed,
are entitled to respect.
lido not wish to be understood as unwil.
ling 10 make a sacrifice of personal prefer.
ences for the benefit of the public. On the
contrary ! hesitate not 10 say tina, my reasons
for declining %jheicial stations, if ten times
stronger than they are, should be cheerfully
sacrificed, if I believed it were nece ssary for
the attainmen: of any great public good.
Personal interest and domestic considera
tons must, when real necessity exists, give
way to public demands. But This is not
such an occasion. There are many Gen.
tlemen more competent and worthy than
myself, who are willing and anxious to fill
he places o. the Supreme Bench, and
whose circumstances oppose no obstacles to
their devoting their time and attention to ju-
dicial labors. Indeed, according 10 my own
estimate Of my qualifications for that station
as compared with those of some other men,
l feel that I am promoting the public inter.
ests by declining a nomination and giving
place to them.
Pardon me, Gentleman, for a few words
more. The expressions of opinion that have
reached me on this subject from various
part, of the State have been sufficiently fiat
tering, but those that have come from you,
and your judicial district, have affected ms
most deeply, and are most highly priced, be.
cacse Of the peculiar opportunities you have
had, for ten years, for forming your opinions.
II has happened 10 me in life to be greatly
misrepresented on every point where a pre-.
judice might be produced or inAamed, and
for this reason it was consoling and crafty.
ing to my feelings, beyond expression, to
hear, in my late and final visit TO your dis.
trist, an almost universally approving
voice. The esteem of those who know one
bsrt, valuable in itssif, Is peculiarly SO in
contrast with preiucice successfully excited
where one is but partially known.
Accept, Gentlemen, my thanks for the
honor you have done me and believe me to
be verytruly
Your friend and obedient servant
GEO. W. WOODWARD.
To H. L. Difenbach, Allison White, J. w.