Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-09-17
The 5uases-Tlse senatorsz,ip.

= try" With pleasure ana take occasion 10 say
that we cordially agree with the opinions therein
expressed. This way of taking the supe!anua-
ted Judges from the Bench, to fill the highest
political offices, within the gift of the State, not
only does great injustice to every other class OF
her citizens, but is injurious to her own best in
terests. 1t is not a great many years since tIiiS
course has been adopted by the LegisIature-lt
would have been better, in our humble opinion,
if that body had never made such appointments
We find no fault Of the rast-of the future we
speak. Against the princip ple and abuse Of the
appointing power we make our remarks. The
name of David Johnson, as Judge, or Chief Ma
oistrate will be loved and cherished in South
Carolina, so long as exalted talents and the most
sublime virtues are honorcd and cherished by 4
grateful constituency. OF Judge Butler, the ar
dent and noble-hearted Carolinian, we need but
to remark that his presence will be felt wherever
his country may place him; and his purity, elo-
.oaence and patriotic zeal, would aCorn any as
senblv in the world In comforting this distiuc-
!. ton on one the honorable gentlemen Of the er-
mine, as they successfully arrive at the age, when
they know the people expect them to resign
may with some appearance of justice claim an
equal testimony of confidence and respect as had
been shown to their brothers who had preceded
them. We are among those, who entertain the
highest respect for the venerable, learned and
patriotic gentlemen who now, and have hereto
fore filed. with so much honor to themselves and
advantage to the State, the highly responsible
and arduous labors of the Bench. As long how
:, ever as we are represented at Washington, it
ouoht to be by men of active and vigorous body
IL obi 10
tend and able to stand fatigue; for faithful
!. Senator or Governor will always find enough to
do South Carolina is rich in good and efficient
men, who have served the State as ably and rs
faithfully as the judges, but with much less re-
munerative results to themselves. We can see
no reason, why the Legislature should fill the
two highest offices in the State, with men who,
however able and devoted they may have been
as Judges, have become too old to be efficient and
active in profession which they had made the
study of their lives-we say there Is no reason,
justice or propriety in the appointment OF these
aged gentlemen to such offices as Senator ana
Governor. Sitting in the Halls of Justice, with
almost discretionary powers to regulate and con-
troll the business and debates before them, they
are unused to being confronted by equals-their
arguments contradicted, their opinions treated
with contempt and derision, and all thclrsolemn
and ilnHosing "Rules of Court" utterly dsre-
carded and thrown to the winds. Besides, if
their public duties have been long and arduous,
their pay has been liberal and their hOnors abun
dant, having always received in this State the
Difference and respect usually paid to the highest
public functionaries-a can therefore have no
claims superior to any other citizen of equal in
tegrity and ability. Nay, we go farther, aud
say, they have no claims for this distinction at
all. Judges answer good purposei in their place,
and ueay make good representatives; we don't
know: but they are the last men III the world,
on whom we would depend for counsel, If we
were determined to defend our rights, by rcSis-
tinr any kind of law, however tyrannlcal or
oppressive that law may be. 1t is said by some,
that the practice is good one; because itope-
rates as an honorable discharge from the public
service: and that. their honUrs are thus permit
ted, in their old age, to pass honorably to private
life. But, this is all mere talk. For, as TO the
honor of the fling, every body knows, that no
profession or body of men, have ever received<o
many marks of honor as they; for, the word
has been Incorporated with, and made part of
their names-and is used in almost every SEN
tence addressed to thenl-sometlmes even to
nausea BE this as it may; we contend that, to
be a Senator or Governor, 1t Is necessary to be
Statesman. The Judges having made the lar
their study, it cannot be expected that they
should be as we'll qualified for Executive or lie,
gislatiye duties as others, Of equal ability and
patriotism, who have devoted the greater part OF
their lives to the principles and detail of States
manship. No, one it is quite plain, that whcn-
ever the Legislature makes Senator ora Cover
nor Of one Of these worthy old gentlemen, it is
only intended as polite invitation to vacate
their seat on the Bench, to make room for
younger man-knowing that this is the only
way possible of getting rid of them, for they
never resign without being we'll paid for ia
Judge is seldom known to die. On the whole
then, we think the Legislature pays very poor
compliment to an aged public servant, when
they take him from one Office because he is una
bic to discharge its duties, and thrust him into
another, full of trouble, perpexity and turmoil
apoor compliment indeed, and not very flatterlng
to the venerable and worthy gentleman thus
treated. TIE people should hold the Legislature
responsible for their action in such matters.
Caroli"a Spartan.