Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-02-04
Mr.. Badgers Confirmation.

In common with the Democratic press OF this
State and of the country generally, have studi-
ousIv refraiued from any expression of opinion upon
the merits of Mr.. Badgers nomination to me gu
preme Bench of the United States; our remarks
with reference to that subject being strictly confined
r. sneculations upon the probability of his confirm
alton bv the Senate. From this course we had not
intended to deyate should We have done so now:
did it not appear 10 that those favorable to such
confirmation al moving to get up an outside pres
sure and so operate, to some extent at least upon
the Senate These who are unfavorable to MIR. Bad
rer's confrmation-as we freely acknowledge our
selves To be-should under these circumstances, at
least let their grounds of such opposition be known
as well as the fact of its existence that Interested
letter writer's at Washington should not be allowed
hcpryilege of forming spurious public opinion
at the expense of truth. e
The people of this State would naturally feel
proud of the elevation of gifted of North Car
DINA to the Supreme Bench of the United States,
and the Democratic party of the State might reason
ably be expected to favor change, which, by re-
moving Mr. Badger from the U. S. Senate, would
leave a vacancy in that body, which would certain
" be filled by Democrat But it must be recol-
lected that the people of North Carolina State
Rights men, and that tho present aScendency of the
Democratic party in the State is due mainly to the
strength of the principle of State Rights. 1t cam
not therefore be expected that the people at large
would feel any great pleasure in contemplating the
elevation of so perfect consolidationist as Mr. Bad
ger, to a position Of such responsibility, and in
which he would have so conspicuous an opportunity
of stamping his peculiar ideas Of construction upon
the legal polity of the country Still less could ii
be expected that even State pride would far blind
the body of the Democratic party to lead them tc
desire the confirmation of man like Mr.. Badger,
so able lawyer yet so dangerous consolidatonist
In the second place 1t is true that we shonld
desire earnestly Democratic Senatorial delegation
from this State and that there are gentlemen of our
party whom we should delight to honor. But neither
these gentlemen nor their friends desire any eeva
ton at the expense of the National Democratic par
ty or at the risk of dangerous consequences to the
future progress of the government; nor is it cha
racteristic of the Democracy of North Carolina t
desire temporary success at the expense of any
permanent interests or to embarrass the action O.
the party by pressing the individual claims of it,
citizens as q collateral consideration in an issue O
this kind
Were Mr.. Badger citizen of another State nc
North Carolina Democrat would desire his confrma
tion. The principle is the same now. We say moth
ing against Mr.. Badger but that he is Consolida
tionst--a Federalist of the worst stamp. Mr.. Fill
more would not have hoped for his confirmation hac
not both he and Mr.. Badger specialized upon the
comfy Of the Senate to of its members
Such speculation should be rebuked
We know that there are many gentlemen in this
Sate-good Democrats, and good Southern Rights
men-who have heretofore occupied differen
ground and entertained different opinions upon thi
subject. For their judgment and their motives: W
have the very highest respect and in expressing
the above views we have not the most distant wisl
to reflect upon either. Reflection, however, has con
vnced of the prOpriety of the position we have ia
ken and under this conviction, course remaine
for us but to take it. Believing it to be right, VI
do sincerely hope that it may meet the approval Q
the party and of the press throughout the State,
that whether Mr.. Badger be confirmed or not, We
at least may not be responsible for any of the con
sequences of an act against which we have protes
ted.