The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-01-01
ANOTHER REVELATION.

ANOTHER REVELATION.
When it became necessary to appoint Chief
Justice for New Mexico, there were several can
ddates for the ofdce-among them an intelli-
gent gentleman, native of South Carolina,
one who had formerly held judicial station
there. He was a man of integrity, excellent
habits large information, and familiar with the
institutions and usages of New Mexico He
was not stakeholder, pro-savery man, or
Aboltionist; he was a man of sober judgment
and liberal views. We doubt whether one
better qualified for the office of Chief Justice
in the new Territory could have been found
The President inquired carefully into his
opinions concerning the Fugitive Law and Com
promise, and also the Law of Peonage and
learned that though he had not concurred in
the expedency of the former measures, he still
believed in their constitutionality AS to the
Law of Peonage he had translated Spanish
work on the subject, and his view was that it
was incompatible with the Constitution of the
United States Up to that time his prospects
were favorable but now his fate was sealed
No further encouragement was given to his
application.
The other prominent candidate was gen.
tleman from Mississippi-a STAKEHOLDER, with
habits utterly disqualifying him for any judicial
station-not to be compared rs respects judg-
ment and information, with the South Caro-
linian, This man received the appointment at
the hands of Mr.. Fillmore, and, as might have
been expected, his habits interfered with the
discharge of his official duties He has re-
turned from the Territory some say for the
purpose of defending himself against memo
rial from citizens Of New Mexico some, for
the purpose of obtaining an increase of salary
We presume he intends to carry back some OF
his slaves with him. Under whose dictaton he
was appointed, was revealed by Mr.. Foote in
his late speech on the Compromise resolution
Here is the statement:
But tho gentleman Mr. Rhettl SAYS in
effect, | don't say that the Wilmot Proviso is
in the Territory of New Mexico | know the
contrary OF that, Indeed there is no part OF
either enactment that | can object to particu-
larry; but We have, unfortunately, President
OF Northern birth, and he may, and has already
as learn, appointed gentlemen to exercise ju-
dicial power in these Territories who are un-
sound on the subject of slavery Sir, am not
the special defender of the President of the
| United States on this point but do not be.
lieye that there is man in this BODY who
would suppose it possible that the present Chief
Magistrate would pay the least regard to the
question OF slavery when providing judicial
officers for the Territories and | assert that
the statement is undeniably calumnous.
MIR. Rhett Docs the Senator from Missis
sipp charge me with making such state
ment
The President Order!
MIR. Footc. Sir, in regard TO the CHIEF
Justice of New Mexico, IA distinguished public
man OF my own State, who was appointed
Chief Justice of New Mexico by the President
under the recommendation Of almost our whol.
Leg,sldture) will say that whoever shall dare
after ! have made this explanation, to assert
that his gentleman eper expressed The opinio,
that the WilmOt Pror,so as constitutional and
shall suggest further that he pas appointed b,
the Erecutiee rith the knoriedge of ms enter
tanning this opinio,s and because he did thu
entertain at rs a cfAs ealsmniator, and skai
denounce him as such wherever mag hear h,
name mentioned
The inference from the foregoing statements
including our own, is irresistible The Pres
dent appointed the present incumbent as Chic
Justice of New Mexico, because he was slave
holder; because he was hostile to the Wilmo
Provso and because he was insisted upon by
the Mississippi Legislature. How much the
President and how much the Secretary of Stat,
had to do with this we know not. We al
know, however, that, about the time of the ap
pointment, the project of great Union Party
was in the minds Of certain politicians, whC
saw in its organization the only hope of theil
reaching the highest station This project wa'
understood to he favored by Mr.. Fillmore ant
Mr.. Webster, who found elements in the pres
ent crisis far transcendng ordinary party in
terests. Mr.. Foots appeared to sympathzs
with them and the efforts of himself and other
Compromise Democrats of the South have been
to organize in that section great Union Party
on the platform of the Compromise. The ap
pointmcnt of the nominee of the Mississippi
Legislature for the Chief Jadgeship in New
Mexico was intended, We presume to favor this
Union Party, as was the appointment of the
notorious Judge Sharkey to the Consulship at
Havana. For what other motive could have
induced the President to venture upon appoint
ments so utterly repugnant to sound prin,
ciples!
Were we slsyeholder, bent on the policy
of perpetusting and extending slavery, We
should always labor for the elevation to the