The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-10-26
FrOo "a, N. Y, IndsPsndsnf.
The Unjust Judge.

When corruption enters into our courts Of
justice, and the principles Of despotism be-
gin to be assumed as the guide and acted
upon in the decisions of our judges, II is timo
for the people to be alarmed. II ajudge can
openly violate the laws, as we'll rs tramplo
on the principle Of equity, and still retain
his place and power, II shows that tho peo-
pie themselves have lost that regard for lib
erty and that vigilance in its defense, with
out which they are ready to become the pa
tent victims Of despotism. II tho people OF
Pennsylvania are willing to sustain Judge
Jeffries in their courts, and submit their per-
sonal liberties to his keeping any OPpcsi,!cs
to slavery Is burlcsquo among .hem.
Ifany public officer were defaulfer %
tho amount Of q hundred thousand dollars,
they would have !iim in Jail. Tho instinct
Of cotton and Of property is vigiIant and dc.
cisive. It is constantly reported that their
cotton is ''ilrm," and tho Judgement Of tho
s.ock-exchapgc does not deceive US. wouli
that the principles Of freedom were rs stead
fast. Is II any more important to arrest anil
punish delinquent in the public treasury
than delinquent On the bench q peculiarly
fraud or forgery, than crimo in the pro-
cessos Of Justice 7
From all the testimony spread before tho
public, 1t seems Gear that Judge Kane is a
defaulter in the most sacred trnst that could
be committed to his keeping. lie has per-
verted the power committed to!him for tho
projection Of libertS, against liberty, aud
the authority and instrumentality OF Justice.
against justice. He has sentenced q ireo
man to prison, on n mere accusation Of his
own, without evidence and without trial
He has usurped power to do this, and pub.
licly upon the bench has committed an as
sauli upon the person Of citizen; acting
in literal obedience 10 the laws Of his own
State; citizen whose only pretended Of
tense against the court whose mandate no
was obeying, was the affirmation Of his in
nvcence in regard 10 crime charged against
him.
Passmore Williamson was no more guilty
Of con,emp, Of cour, in ansu ering the charge
by denial OF the action, than any man in
pleading not guilty Of a crime for which he
is arrested and oroush, 10 bar for trial. Sup
pose man arrested on The charge ofhaving
stolen goods in his possession, aud that on
denying the charge the Judge should accuse
him Of perjury. What would be thought Of
the manners and the morals Of such n
Judge' Wha, would be thought Of his f,-
ness 10 conduct criminal trial. How long
would he be permitted 10 Sit upon ihe
bench Suppose that man held 10 answer
.. ,hs .ccusutrou Of ucanny, snuuTu uecrav
bis innocence, should plead not guilty, and
that for such an answer TO the writ OF ndict-
msnt which has brought him before tho
court, the Judge should instantly order him
% prison for alledged contempt Of tho court
in not pleading guilty. What would be
thought Of The temper, or the uprigh,ncss,
or The sanity Of such judgel How long
would he be permitted TO conduct the trial ?
How many opportunities would be given
him 10 inAic, such an oniragei How long
would il be before he would be hooted from
tho courthouse What free community
would suffer uuder such Outrageous dcspot-
ismi .
Yet It Is in fact for the audacity Of plead
ing not guilty that Mr.. Williamson has
been thrust into prison by Judge Kane
Before we can finish writing this article, hc
may possibly be let out. Possibly tbero
may be virtue enough, indignation enough
against Judge Kane, to produce his indict-
ment or impeachment, for that crimo
against law and justice Of which he has
been guilty. But Il Is rather more likely
tha. he will remain unsc,thed; and while
Mr.. Williamson. without trial, without con.
vic.iou, and on the bare sccusation Of Judge
Kane, has been thrown into prison Tor con-
tempt Of Court, Judge Kane himself will
escaps,all tho retributiou duo Tor his con-
tempt both Of law and equity. And II, on
tho other hand, ho should DO put out Of his