The Yazoo Democrat., 1853-08-31

Os- In justice to Mr.. Handy alone, we deem
Il proper to explain more fully what me meant by
the few remarks casually thrown into our notice
Of the speaking on Monday the 22nd inst, as
those remarks have been attacked BY the Whig'
and unwarranted constructions placed upon
them. We spoke not for or by the authority OF
Mr. Handy, when we said that although he did
not declare what his opinions upon the legality
or illegality of the Union Bank Bonds are, we
nevertheless knew him to be opposed to their
payment, because he believes them to be uncon-
stitutional; nor did we mean by that, that as
indtUtdudls only, knew this. But we meant to
say-snd such is fair construction of the Ian
guage used-that Mr.. Handy, like every other able
LAWYER who lived in the State al the time when
this question was fully canvassed before the peo-
pie in al, had formed mature and deliberate
opinion 10 their constitutonality, and that
opinion was known to be agains, the legality of
the Bonds. His opinion is as well known upon
this question among all his acquaintances, as
are his political affinities y of which, more
further along.
| Col. Handy is lawyer and gentleman of too
high tone to Declare either on the stump or in
private, that his legal opinions thus and So
and that in case such questions should come be-
fore him for adjudication. that he will decide
them this, that or the other way. And what is
still more, Col. Handy or any other candid aud
honest man, N~enld not make up his mind that
in case such and such legal questions should
come before him judge OF court, he scoatd
decide them in anJ particular way; although his
mind may have been deliberately settled upon
the question for years. 1t is the duty of every
Judge 10 give every case which may come before
him an impartial hearing, and then decide the
sameaccording to the law and the evdence-if
possible, laying by his former opinions, invest
ing the case as new one, and decide with refer
ence alone to that particular one. This was
much more ably illustrated by Col Handy in his
speech on the 22nd, than it is possible for US to
do. Could who would occupy any other
position, bea proper person to sit upon judge 5
seat hear and decide upon his fellow mans legal
| conro1 ersies +?
Now, in reference to the Union Bank Bonds,
il is nothing more than right that his opinions
should be known to the people, and why? Is
moi Judge Yerger canvassing the district, making
uar discussion And what is more, does he
not state (as our neiglibor of the Whg admIs) }
hat he had, as one of the Judges of the Supreme
Court of our State declared her liability to pay
the Union Bank Bonds, and that he scoatid do The
same thing again? We leave the community
! to decide this matter for themselves; and any
thing which We may say hereafter about MIR.
! Handy, or his opinions, may be considered as
our opp, in no way binding upon Mr.. Handy or
our party. As editors of public journal. we are
expected to lay before our readers every subjecl
which comes before them. and in which they are
interested and further, we shall take the liberty
10 give our views upon all subjects of controver
sy. being alone responsible for the same.
The Whig wishes to know Why ''the present
org nization of the party" shall not be dsband-
ed ii the Bond question is to be made the lest
OF their (the judges) election We ask The
Wbig lrhat '.party?" Are they The candidates
of parties.--if so, what parties The Wing
thinks that .'this great love Of eertain publishers
FOR Mr.. Handy, rather than for Judge Yerger.
proceeds from old Secession and Disunion ai4in-
iti,s," rather than from any other reasons. The
Whie heie raises al. issue which we had not
touched (I SO1SHt we IHlSul: VIII pEOpIIety
hurl the taunt b.,ck into the Wings own teeth,
as bearing love iar Judge Yerger on account of
has political .affinines."
1t is we'll known that ad Tocated the nom
ination of a candidate for Judge OF the High
Court of Errors aud Appeals, by the Dsmocratic
party of this district. before the sitting o. the
May convention. and after Col. Handy had de
clared himself candidate for the office. Because
as general rule, it has proven to be the best
means of securing the ablest talent. profoundest
lawyers and the purest men. Upon this subject,
however, it is not at this time, our purpose to
speak. But, as there was no nomination made
by any party" for this office, we did not, nor
do we now desire TO make political afinities"
an issue. Yet, if the whig party, or the Bond
paying party wish TO make any issues let them
make hem,-we fear nothing from that policy