Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-10-01

approval of my judicial career, during the
| period in which have presided in this cir
cult, and signifyiug your wishes for my re-
election, should desire to continue in Of
fee. After giving to your communication
The respectful consideration i. deserved, /
should be disingenious, if did not acknow-
ledge that | have received such a compli-
ment from such q source, with grateful e.
motions and becoming sensibili,y TO its
high value. The spontaneous verdict Of
an enlightened bar, approving a judicial
life of now more than 20 years. dura-
lion, is as high testimonial of fidelity as
Judge could possibly receive. 1t is one !
properly appreciate and shall ever cherish
in remembrance in whatever station, whe,h-
er private or public, the future may have in
store for me.
On the subject Of The Judicial elections,
which will succeed the ratification of the
amended Constitution, result which con-
slider certain, beyond peradventure, | had
hoped, if called on to speak at all, the neces-
si,y would have been averted, until much
later period than The present But as i. has
been your pleasure (for reason doubtless
satisfactory to yourselves aud of the suf-
6ciency of which it is your province and
not mine 10 judge thus early 10 address me.
for the purpose Of eici.ing my wishes and
intentions, do not feel a, liberty to decline
answering you now. The public sentiment
Of Virginia, heretofore honorably distin-
guished by u dehcacy so high toned and SEN
stipe, as 10 SHRINK Nth disgust from the least
approximation to canuassing or electioneer-
ing for judicial office, mast haze undergone
disastrous change, IF IL aUould tolerate IL
now. Believing as ! do, in the necessity
and importance of cherIshing and strength
ening that ,ime-honored sentiment, | could
not consent 10 be the frst-ralher let me
say ! shall he the last, to offend against, or
weaken its hold upon the public mind, by
any word or deed Of mine therefore felt,
when first received your letter, delicacy
amounting almost to repugnance, TO answer
ing it, lest ! might thereby appear to be &C.
cessary to having my name premalurely
thrust before the people Of this circuit,
in the attitude Of an eager candidate for
reelection. So far from desiring to oc-
cupy any such attitude, had hoped and
still hope, notwithstanding the change in
the mode of elec,ing and appointing pow
er, it may be possible to preserve and cher
ish our ancient delicacy Of sentiment on this
traling the public will, and bringing 10 bear
in the election ofjudges, wilhou, the neces-
si,y Of, or excuse for, canvassing or elec-
tioneering, or even a candidature, in the
sense of The term as applied 10 political Off
GERS.
am we'll satisfied from the terms Of
your note, as we'll as from conversations
held with some Of you. explanatory of the
motives and purposes that prompted The call
upon me at this early day, tina, your views
and mine correspond in this particular,
and that in making it, you express your
opinion tina, an answer would not place me
in position before The public, in The matter
Of deIicacy, tina, ought to be unwilling to
occupy.
defer then to your opinion, in which
upon more mature reflection, concur, and
proceed to answer your inquiry by frankly
acknowledging that desire to continue in
my present office, and would feel highly
gralfed by such 9 manifestation of conf
dence on The part Of my fellow-ci.izens as
reelection would imply. deem it due to
by the most laslidious delicacy, to express
my willingness 10 serve them, if it be their
pleasure 10 elect me but the same sense Of
prcpriely and true delecacy, which has re-
strained you from asking, forbids me to say
more. Of all officers, i! is most empha,i-
cally true Of the Judicial, that to make j. a
distinction worth coveting, and its bestowal
honorable, both to the electors and the elect
ed, it must be conferred spontaneously, as
the reward of merit, competency and quail
fica,on, without solicitation, canvassing or
eleciioneerng.
If ever the evil day shall arrive, which !
hope and trust is far distant, when the JUS
lice seats shall be profaned by incumbents,
indebted for their elections to the ar, Of the
electoneerer or the demagogue, or even to
par,ialties or preferences of a personal or
party character, wholly irrespective Of quail
fca.ions, in my judgment, "lhe post of hon
or," will be "private station" The .ri-
bunals Of Justice must not only be pure,
but above suspicion. Office has no such
charms for me, and private station no such
'eITo's, tid' W oo|dtn VIC ohe' III d'o'o 'ue
other, could under any circumstances con-
sent to pursue course SO inevitably tend
ing to lessen confidence and respect for the
Courts of Justice, and to weaken the pub
lie renovation for the spo.less ermine, as to
embark in a canuass for judicial office.
In what have said, far be from me the
purpose Of debating 10 others, or the in,en-
lion of disparaging adverse opinions on this
subject, if any such there be. My sole OBJ
jeci, to use phrase, is to define my posi-
non, make known the course have pre-
scribed for myself, in The premises, and the
reason for it.
The concluding paragraph Of Judge
Th,,neon,s loiter ic omitted &C II merelv