Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-09-17


respect and confidence than 10 invite you to dc
so,and most cordially we do.
Satisfied Of your election, if you desire live
neither ask, or expect further action on your part
beyond accepting the invitation now rendered.
Very respectfully.
We are your OBJ seryIs.
S. Claiborne, Jno. 0. l.. Goggin,
G., l.. Mosby, w. Is. Roane,
C. Dabney, Rob't Whitehead,
]. Garland, R. T.. Manson,
Ro. M. Brown. James p. Coleman.
VIM. M. Cabcll, Sam'l Nj. Garland,
j. M. Robertson. Ro. Ridgway,jr,
Chas. II. Slaughter, John Wills,
.Jno. NJ. Speed, VIM II. Yancey,
Thos. Whitehead, d. A. Wilson. jr.,
Rub'tJ Davis, David E. Spence,
Sau,'l. j. Booker Robt Tinsley, CPk.
AMHERST CouaT HOUSE,
Sept. 5lh, 1851
GENTLEMEN IL have received your fatterine
letter of the % ul, expressing your approval o
my judicial career, during the period in which
have presided in this circuit, and sgni'ying yuul
wishes for my reelection should desire to conln
ue in office After giving To your communication
the respectful consideration il deserved, should be
/
received such a compliment, from such source
with grateful emotions and becoming sensbility
To its high value. The spontaneous verdict of an
enlightened bar, approving judicial life, of ROW
more than 20 years duration, is as high testimo
NAL of fidelity, as Judge could possibly receive
1t is one properly appreciate and shall ever cher
ish in remembrance, in whatever station, whether
private or public, the future may have in store fol-
me.
On the subject of The judicial elections, which
will succeed the ratification of the amended con
sitution, a result which consider certain beyond
peradvenlure, had hoped, il called on 10 speak
at all, the necessity would have been averled, un
Ill much later period than the present. But as
II has been your pleasure (for reasons doubtless
satisfactory to yourselves and of the sufficiently Of
which, it is your province and not mine TO Judge, }
thus early to address me- for the purpose of elicit
ing my wishes and intentions, do not feel at lib
erly 10 decline answering you noso. The public
sentiment of Virginia. heretofore honorably disin-
gushed oy decacy So high toned and sensitive,
as to shrink with disgust from the least approx
nation to caEvassing or elecliuneerng for judicial
office, must have undergone disastrous change, if
it would tolerate it now. Believing..as do, in the
necessity and importance ofchershlng and strength
consent 10 he The firs,-rather let me say shall be
the last, to offend against or weaken lis hold upon
The public mind, by any word or deed of mine.
therefore felt, when first received your letter, a
delicacy amounting almost TO repugnance to an-
swerng il; lest might thereby appear to be acces
sary 10 having my name prematurely thrust before
the people of the circuit, in the attitude of an GA
ger candidate for reelection. So far from desiring
IL occupy any such attitude, had hoped and still
hope, Notwithstanding the change in The mode of
election and the appointing power, il may be posi-
BILE TO preserve and cherish our ancient decacy of
sentiment on this subject, by deysing some means
Of concentrating the public will and bringing il 10
boar in the election of judges, without The necessi
ty 'or excuse fur canvassng or eeetioncering, or
even cdndiddi,Te, in the sense Of the term as APP
piled TO political officers.
am well satisfied from the terms Of your note,
as well as from conversations he'd with some OF
you, explanatory of the motives and purposes that
prompted The call upon me, at this early day, that
your views and mine correspond in this particular,
and that in making it, you express your own opln-
ion that an answer would not place me in position
before the public, In the matter Of delicacy, that
ought TO be unwilling to occupy.
( defer then to your opinion, in which, upon
more mature reflection, | concur, and proceed 10
answer your inquiry by frankly acknowledging,
would feel highly gratifed by such manifesto
ton OF confidence, on The part ofmy citizens,
as reelection would imply. deem it due TO the
people Of the Circuit, and not forbidden by the
most fastidious delicacy, 10 express my willingness
to serve them, if it be their pleasure 10 elect me
but the same sense of proprieiy and true decacy,
which has restrained you from asking, forbds me
10 cay more. OF all Offices it is most emphatcal-
ly true of the judicial that 10 make it distinction
worth covetng and its bestowal honorable, both 10
the electors and the elected, it must be conferred
as the reward of merit, competency
and qualification without solicitation, canvassng or
II ever the evil day shall arrive, which | hope
and trust is far distant, when the Justice seats
shall be profaned by ncnmbenis, indebted for their
elections, to The arts of the electioneerer the
demagogne, or even to partiaities preferences Of
q personal or party character, wholly irrespective
IF qualifications, in my judgement, "ihe post of
honor" will be, ga private station" The lrlbu-
nails of Justice must not only be pure. but above
SUSPICION, Office has no such charms for me, and
private station no such terrors; that to obtain The
Dne. or avoid the other, could under any circum
stances consent 10 pursue course, 50 inevitably
tending Ia lessen confidence and respect for the
Courts of Justice and to weaken the public venera
lion for the spuiless ermne as 10 embark in can
pass for Judicial office
IN what have said, far be from me the purpose
IF debating to Others or the intention OF dlspara-
ring adverse opinions on this subject, il any such
here be. My sole object, lO use common phrase
IS to define my position, to make known the course
have prescribed for myself, in the premises, and
he reasons for il.
As 10 the allnson you have made 10 the Court ct
ppeals in connection with myself, have only 10
saw, if that honor were attainabe by me, without
;upplan,ing cherished friend and able and faithful
am by no means prepared to say, as
II present advised, that should prefer It TO my
Circuit: bu. have no hesitation in declaring, tina
could neither reconcile it to the obligations OF prl-
7ate friendship, nor to sense Of duty 10 Inc pub
ic, to consent to he instrumental. if could, in de-
eating the reelection of an incumbent. VINO, lake
1r granted desires 20 continue in Office, VINO mas
discharged his duties with distinguished ability
lssiduity and fidelity, and will long continue 10 DO
20, with an ability to which make no prelension'
should it be the pleasure of the penpe OF the sec
ion to elect him, and The will of God to vOuchsae
% him life and health. /
Ii is proper should say in conclusion, that
should have been silent on this subject, as the aIlu
sion by you did not require any notice OF IL on my
part. My apology, for adverling tot al all IS Inc
act, that since leaving home, on my circuit
nave been informed through communication oo'h
verbal and by letter, that rumor extensively pre-
walls, which places me in false position ana one
which am very unwilling to occupy, OF oeing an