The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-05-03
From the National Intelligence,
THE vIcTIMIzED JUDGE.

The reflect upon the proceedings Of the Massa-
cusetts legislature in the Of Judge Lorng the
does it surprise that people who have always hereto
fore been characterized lovers OF law and order should
all have thrown away this enviahle distinction and
proclaimed themselves the abetos of OF things lit
tie better than mobocracy If understand it, the case
very simple and plain one all requiring egsa-
tive interference Judge Lcring, being what is called in
Massachusetts Judge Of probate and known TO be a
of integrity, rmness and independence, selected
by the President of the United States commissioner
upon whom devoyed the duty Of nquiring into and de-
Gliding question occurring under the fugitve-slave law
in the welI-known of Anthony Burns Like just
FOUNDER of the law and honest of the United
States, dsregardng the threats Of the abolitionis b.
wo he surrounded he did inquire the case and
decided that the claimant Of the slave had legal right
him such under the law Of the United States Accord
ing TO this decision, and according the of the law
the slave delivered his MASTER who returned with
him to Virginia This is the whole offence Of Judge Lor-
ing who instead Of receiving the thanks of the eornnu-
nifty in which he had thus noby vndicated the supremacy
and the sanctty of national law has been since the
victim of persecution which has been steadily seeking rot
only to from his shoulders the ermne which he has
long without spot STAIN but deprive him Of
other honors OF the profession to which his life has been
devoted
The first onset upon him made by the oyerseers Of
Harvard University in which he had been law instructor
As these assigned for determining to
dispense with his services instructor and it aeknow
edged that twelve of the thirty who composed that body
members of the rning party in the legislature we
may fairly suppose that the apoweful influence of that
party work procure his rejection If the object
had been simply make Judge Iorng feel that he had in
Cured the heavy dspleasure of his eowcitizens hy dis
regarding their peculiar opinions in the obedience he had
paid law Of the United States this rejection from an
honorable chair in the University would have been quite
enough He could not have failed to in it that lie was
least favorte with the ruling party of his State But
do not doubt that he possessed this knowledge even
before he made the decision which has led the question
of his dismissal from the bench and could that know-
edge have had the slightest effect in changing his decision
he would richly have deserved only dismissal from of
fee, but the contempt Of the world.
The next step in the persecution against him made
in the popular branch Of the legislature where an address
to the governor Of the State moved requesting him to
Judge Lorng from the bench This address was
carried by vote Of 2o4 10 Ill the number Of absentees
being 6l In the senate body which devised to con-
sute barrier against the desolatng effects OF sudden
popular excitement the address has just been coucurred
in by OF IS to H. Thus have the houses of the
Legislature by vote of nearly one agreed n one
of the arbitrary and dangerous exercises OF power that
be attempted against the peace and good order Of
cey and this they have done without assigning any
whatever by which the public might Judge Of the wis
dom good intentions Of the act II is true that In the
house. Of The advocates Of the address n labored
effort 10 prove the reasonabess aud propriey Of The
measure, said
The independence Of the Judiciary cannot be affected
by this removal nasmuch il win be done for an act no,
performed as Judge No future Judge of probate will
fear that in consequence Of this precedent any decision
his as aprobate judge and of probate will
give good ground for bis removal by address
But the falacy in this papabe point
ing out Judge Loring indeed acting ia his ca
pacy Of probate judge Of the State nor on aer o pro-
bate but he was nevertheless acting ge for and In
behalf Of the United States and the Independence OF the
Judiciary is much attacked in his case acting as com
missioner appointed by the President Of the United States
as II his decision had been matter Of probate while sit
ting as State Judge If permit ourselves 10 regard
the tenure Of judicial Office OF expedency 20 be
tempered with by every popular excitement tina. may arise
IN our midst may expect laws made for
other purpose but to show how easily they may be broken
The animosites Of party wiz be taken the dictates OF
reason, and "nullcaton win stalk abroad in its most
odious form and II is limited in one Of the Boston
papers that the governor OF Massachusetts, nsy have the
wisdom and the hrmness to nerpose prevent the
summation But what hope have tina, the chief
magistrate belonging to the ruling party win dare assume
The courage had be the disposition plant himself
against the overwhelming Of fanatcism tina,
inundating the ancient Commonw ealth OF Massachusetts,
There il no hope that be win; and sbpdder The
consequences that may follow this outrage upon the
sisy of the Judiciary.