The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-05-05
A CIRCULAR.

On the fourth Thursday, being the 25th
day of May next, the people of this State Will
BIZ called upon, for tile first time, to elect
their own judicial officers. The importance
of proper commencement in this new ex.
pertinent, cannot be over estimated, when 1t
is considered that the present election may
form precedent for the future, not only IN
the manner in which the canvass may be con-
Quoted by the respective candidates, but the
influence which their conduct may be allow
ed to exert over him by the independent
voter. The novelty Of the system may well
Justify difference of opinion among the can.
didates for popular favor, in reference to the
manner of conducting the canvass. For my
own part, in announcing myself MS a candl,
date for the office of Attorney Genera! and
Reporter for the State at large, | hoped that
the election would be left to the calm judg.
ment of the people, guided by such knowl'
edge rs they might already have acquired in
relation to the duties of the Office and the
qualification of the different aspirants, and
such information rs they might gather from
the Bench and Bar throughout the Stale
With the result of the election, conducted
upon this plan, no one could find fault, for
every one would b. left to inform himself,
and exercise the highest of privileges, free
from undue influences. Other Gentlemen,
who, like myself, have aspired to the office in
question, have thought it better to pursue a
different course, and to urge their claims be-
fore the people in person and through the
public prints; and this plan, it must be nd
mitted, is more in unison with the usages Of
our State. have accordingly yielded my
own opinion, and have adopted more active
measures than at first contemplated. have
visited, and shall continue to visit such pOr-
lions of the State rs the limited time will
permit, and have taken this method of bring
ing my name before such Of my fellow-cti.
zens rs may be unable to see in person.
The duties of the office are purely legal
and confcssedly difficult and highly response.
BILE. They consist, chiefly, in the obligation
TO attend to the State cases upon appeal to
the Supreme Court, to report the decisions of
that Court, and to give official opinions, when
necessary, for the guidance Of State officers.
The correct administration of criminal Justice,
and the proper supervision of the interests of
the State under an enlarged system OF inter-
nal improvements, are so obviously important
as to be evident to every one. But the duty
of reporting the decisions of the Supreme
Court, is, perhaps, tile most permanently i'm
portant of all; for upon the manner in which
it is performed, depends, to a great extent
the care with which arguments are prepared
by the Bar, and decisions penncd by the
Bench. The chief stimulus to cxertion is lost
if this duty is slurred over or negligently per
formed, and the character of the judicial de-
cisons, beyond the limits Of tho State, sinks
in consequence.
1t is with sincere diffidence that have con
cluded to tender my services for the per
Torrance of these important duties. If, how
ever, exclusive devotion to my profession
and such reputation as may have heretofore
acquired among my felOw.citizens, and par
ticularly my professional brethren, (whos'
opinion must have controlling influence upor
the question of legal qualification,) SHOULD
secure me the favorable suifrages of the peo
pie of my native State, it will be my earnes
endeavor to merit their approval by Jealous
devotion Of my energies to the performance
of my duties of the office.
W.T.. COOPER,