Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-04-14
The IndiciarY.

signature of A Harrison Democrat,
which we promised friend to transfer to
our columns, but the paper has been lost.
We had hoped that politics would not be
suffered TO enter the canvass for Judgship;
that the wings would be content to at
least divide the honors with us in this sec
ton, and therefore, we were not disposed
to interpose any objection to the old cry Of
no. partyism with which they have, on
more than one occasion, gained an ascen-
dancy over the Democrats. The OBJ ect
of this cry of no-partyism is now begin
ming to develope itself Throughout this
whole district, it is apparent, that Wings
are taking sides with Wing candidates
against the Democratic candidates, while
Democrats are suffering themselves to be
lulled into Indifference. Should this be
so Z? We are told, by way of silencing
us, that the Judgship is not political Of
fee. Then why do Wings enter the can
vass SO earnestly in support of Wings p
Why do they manifest so decided pre-
ference for Wing candidates? 1t is no
torious that this circuit is largely Demo-
cratic in the popular yote,-and so are
three out of four in this section. And
yet if things go on as they seem now to
be progressing under the Wing no party
ism, we will have three Wing circuit
judges out of the four, and perhaps a
Wing Judge Of the court of appeals for
this section. We may be told that such
a result would be independent of causes
controlled by the leading Wings. 1t
might be the case,-but does it seem pro-
bable that such consequences could fow
from accident as it were We think not,
nay, we feel assured, that it would not
We shall not attempt to detract from the
merits of single candidate in the field,
nor say ought to wound his feelings, for
we have personally the most friendly and
kind feeling for all. When Judge Lee
was first announced as candidate for the
Court Of Appeals, no one pretended to
question his high and ample qualifications
for the position indeed his name seemed
to be received with universalfavor through
out the section, and for long time no OPP
position made its appearance, or even
seemed to be contemplated. After a
while Mr.. Harrison is announced for the
some Office, (against Mr.. Harrison's qua
lifications or social virtues, we have not
word to say,) and almost Immediately
Judge Lee is began to be dccrycd as an
inferior lawyer and wanting in social vir-
tues, &C., &c. Now we have no objec-
ton to the praise bestowed upon Mr.. Har-
rison by his Wing friends, but in the name
of all that is just and honorable, is it right
to attempt to traduce the standing of
Judge Lee, who has been tried and found
fully equal to any emergency calling for
capacity, learning and energy? Judge
Lon &c on1yn lnTlrr - o SNf
ture Judgment, and is now just in the
prime of life. And if he was thought
worthy Of the support of the entire sec
ton, when first announced, certainly he is
now worthy Of the support of his political
friends at least, if the Wings design ma
king it party contest.
We had intended not to say one word
in the canvass for judgeship, and would
not have done so, were it not for the sire
nuous efforts which some of the Wings
saan, 60 hn putting forth in support Of the
Wing candidate. We are perfectly
aware that the terms, Wing and De-
mocrat' are not used in speaking of the
candidates, but the Wing candidates are
extolled to the skies, while the quali6ca-
tioNs of the Democratic candidates are
either passed over in silence, or with a
sheer, or referred to as greatly inferior
For Col. Camden, the Wing candidate, in
this circuit, we have personally the high
est regard, and sincerely hope that no
thing may occur to impair or lessen our
kind feelings for him,-and in his legal
ability, we have full confidence. But we
have an equal regard for the Democratic
candidates. And as to their legal abili-
ties, we can only accord to them what
they are entitled to, by universal reputa-
ton in this region, to wit: that they are
men of experience and high legal attain
ments, whose capacity must elicit full
confidence. We will only add, that if
the election is made by our opponents to
take party turn, as appears to be the
case, then it is incumbent on the Demo
cratic party to take care Of themselves, and
we hope they will do so.
We have been informed from other
sources, that our opponents were urging
the election of their candidates, secretly,
upon party grounds, while publicly oppo.
sing making the election of judges par
ty question, but had partially induced our
self to believe that the rumor was with
out sufficient foundation to require any at
tention by U.S. 1t now comes from to-
tally different quarter, and we must ad.
init. that it arouses our suspicious, to say
the least.
We shave declined taking any part in
the contest for Judges. but have permit.
ted their friends to use our columns to set
forth the qualifications of each; and al
though personally in favor of elsetiug all
officers upon political principles. we were
willing to see the election of judges made