New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-02-28
opportunity Of quietly dropping those with whom
thsv were not satis6ed

opportunity Of quietly cropping tnose WIKI Hnon
| they were not sa6s6ed.
In the case Of Judicial aud superior military
Ulcers, the appointment for fixed term, aud tu'
necessity Of frequently re-solicitins the votes Of
the people did not seem 60 suitable. twas, there
fsre, provided that they should hold their Offices
for "good behavior; bat this didnos release them
| from their accountability, at all times, to the
people. The Legislature, conformity with sae
Governor AID Council. we're made, as represen-
ta,iyss Of tie people for that purpose, absolute
Judges without notice, argument or sp2eh, oil
tbs m after OF good bebsyior-beiDg vested with
inst a, Absolute discretion in the removal OF sil
uocisl ard high military oficers-the Lesisla-
ture yc,ipg the removal by address, and the Gov
ernor ard Council masiOg is-as the Executive
bss to remove ali executive officers who hold
Office at bis pleasure.
Tie idea that Judge, orce in Office, has the
liberty # doing IS he plesses, and, so long ss he
commits no improbable or indictable offence OF
setting the public sentiment at defiance; the
idea that Judge is not accountable 10 the people
at all times, and for oil parts Of his conduct, and
that under the guidance of fsua;ical or de-
luded conscience, ne can be permitted, IS the
servant or agent Of another Government, to
perpetrate, uLder the forms of law, what the
majority If the people of Massachusetts, regard
as base, detestsbie, and dastardly crime,
(which, but for the Intervention OF this exterior
rover 10 WhOse behalf il was done would send
its ptrpetrstOr to the Penltentisry, )-tness
pusillaDmous ard pituble ideas never entered
into the heads Of the good men and true, By
whom The Constitution of Massachusetts, was
framed AID we trust aud hope they will have no
itfuence upon the conduct Of those By whom,
as to this matter of Mr. Lorirg. that Constitution
is now to be administered.
The Constitution of Massachusetts nsver meant
to make Judges equivalent to kings. 1t never
meant to give them an absolute tenure # Office
for life, with no accountability for blum ers.
however prosS, or for moral delinquencies ,ow.
ever eporuoas 1t never intended TO allow taeD
to set up the plea Of conscience as an excuse for
trampng under foot the moral sense Of the com
manly. IL intended that the iges .hould live
in the fear Of the Lord and as the best security
for that, in the fear OF tire people also. Ii meant
thai this power of removal should hang over Il cir
heads, suspended like the sword Of Danocles, BY
single hair resdy at any time to pierce aud to
snuhlote the insolent, or the delujed mlsbe.
lever, who should presume TO GUST God from his
throne st the bidding Of Congress and man OF
his rights at the bidding Of aCourt
The occasion having come for that sword 70
fell, The execution done BY it will be sautary.
The idea tbst judges are above the people aud
not accountable to them, seems sadly to have
TUNED the heads of some who occupy the beech.
The Der eft of the. example will not be confined
TO Massachusetts,. Let the sword of Danocles
fall; il cannot fail to do something, in every
Northern State Of the Union, toward making
sober more than one druDken aud inso!ent reyeer.