Kenosha tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1855, 1855-03-22
JUDICIAL ELECTION.

The Democ ct of last week, has few plain
words with reference to the judicial election which
it strikes us are considerably more plain than
did. 1t is not true that it is sought 10 prescribe
Judge Crawford for his honest opinions, integrity,
and independence; nor is it sought to prescribe him
at all for any cause. On the Sd day of April the
time will have arrived when the people will be
called npou to elect Judge in The place of Craw>
ford, whose official term expires. lsthere no
| other person in the state possessing honesty and
integrity but Crawford that these virtues will be
prescribed and known the bench no more for
ever, unless he should be reelected Has Craw-
ford any such right the Office that it is proscrip
ton the people choose some one else as his sue
cessorl
"Upon what meat doth this our Cesar feed,
That he is grown 20 great.
Do Offices belong perpetually to those who first
get hold OF them That they justified in bubbcr-
ing and crying prescription when it rs ntima-
ed there should be change. Wo supposed they
belonged to the people be filled by th.n at their
pleasure, and We did think the incumbent who
Is superseded, has right to even stand. upon the
order Of his gong, much less to cry prescription.
This plea of prescription is which believe
Judge Crawford would not himself raise, and We
doubt whether he thanks his friends for doing it.
With regard to those qualities Of frankie IS nde-
pendence, fearlessness, &c. for which Judge Craw-
ford is specially commended and his election ur-
ged, we think their merit depends entirely upoE the
subjects principles in connection with which they
are manifested. Suppose his opinions happened 10
be in favor theft and murder instead of the con-
stutlonaty of the fugitive law, and he should ut.
ter them frankly and adhere to them with integsi-
ty, would such qualities in such case constitute
claim for reelection? Why not if these qualities
in the abstract possess such merit. We conceive
it to be of much more importance phat man be-
leveS, than his mode of expressing his opinions, for
man can be diabolicatly honest and frank
silly as to be so in Christian manner These
virtues which the bull dog shares in common with
the " rest Of mankind" and therefore, as we re-
Marked the merit of them is entirely in the con-
nection in which they used, and for our part,
used they to uphold, sustain, strengthen,
and keep the bre lth of life in the fugitive law they
fail entirely to com mend themselves to us.
Bat We are entirely opposed to mixing up and
mystfyng this matter. for it is really very sim
pie thing On the Ord day of April the election
occurs, at which time two men are presented for
the suffrages Of the people. Now the people have
perfect, free, and ndefeaslbe right to take which
ever Of these men 10 them seemeth best. There is
no prescription any thing partisan about il.
Neither Crawford oil Cole has any right % demand
the office, or to question in any manner or degree
the purpose of the people with reference to it. Ii
stands before the people an original question pure
and simpe-wherein there exists not a shadow of
reason for them departing ot title from their
perfect pleasure in the premises.
What then! Simply this.
Cole and Crawford in all respects equal in abl
ty and honesty, yet occupy Numerically opposite
positions with reference TO the fugitive law. Craw
| ford, from the bench, decides that that law with
its denial of the writ of habeas corpus, the right Of
trial by jury, and its wrongs and abomiuato ge>
nerally, is constitutional and should be enforced by
our Courts. Cole, in Congress, voted against the
law, aud is understood to stand with Wilton and
Smith in opinion upon il, aud Judge would SO
rule aud decide.
Our Supreme Court has by its recent decision
inspired the nation with new hope. Had the
Judges all been as Crawford, there would have
been no such decision, and the dull, blank auo
dead despair which possessed the nation would huv.
continued. Then the issue is thrust upon the peo
pie, and cannot be avoided il they disposed L
avoid it, wh- lhcr this decision shall stand be re
versed. What then DO the people waut
This is the sill ple question, and all attempts t.
mix it up with o'her matters and mystify it, has NJ
other ohJeri purpose bat to secure the success
Crawford, that it may be c!aia,ed a rebuke o
the Court which liberated Booth and Ryecraft
Every bunker press in the state, with perhaps on
/ exception, supports Crawford, and manifestly 70
, no other reason than to accomplish the purpos
3 st ated.
For our part, believing the position OF Whitol
and Smith to be fraught with ncalcuIabe blessing
TO humanity the word over, and moreover, to b.
in all respects legally aud technically correct, W
r are exceedingly anxious il should be endorsed b.
the people and established as the settled policy
j the state. We like Judge Crawford we'll, ant
there are few men whom we would more willing
ly render personal service, but with the momen
: tous results possibly. indeed probably, dependin
e upon the choice Of Judge, occupying the position
G he does, had rather our hand at the wris
> and let il rot to its native dust, than il should cas-
l. thevoie which makes him Judge,
IT For Gods sake, let us not lose the glorious VIC
tories attained thus far in our contests with despo
IL tlsm. A little more york, little further NANTES
J. tation OF backbone, and the work is accomplished
e Let US then not be distracted with immateri,
and uuimpotant issues. for they are the devices
: the enemy, but keeping III view the real issue an
d. indeed the oaly issue, act accordingly, ~.
:, Eg- A litus child aged about 6v
r. years, daughter OF Mrs. VIM. Golf, Wa
burned to death on Wednesday of last weel
in the town of YorkYille, Racine County,
oil The mother had left the house for m,