Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-02-21
The Approaching Judicial Election.


The Madison Journal of the 18th, publishes an
editorial under this head, from which take the
following extract -
" The term of Justice Crawford of the Supreme
Court expires next June, and his successor is to
be elected at the spring election in April 1t Is
but little more than SIX weeks before the elect
ors of the State will be called upon to express
their choice. 1t is OF very great importance that
a worthy man, and one competent 10 discharge the
high responsibilities of the station should be cho>
sen. Judge Crawford is man of fair abilities, of
good address, possessing the elements of personal
popularity in high degree. When we have once
got good man upon the Supreme bench, sound
policy dictates that he should be kept there, until
there is good reason for filing his place with
another. There is objection, however, TO Mr..
Crawford-his position with regard 10 the fugl-
tive slave act. a very great majority OF the peo-
pie OF the State sustain most cordially the decisions
of the Chief Justice and Justice Smith. They will
be well aware that the reelection of Judge Craw
ford will go abroad and viii be received at Wash
ington by the present doughfzee Administration,
as an endorsement by the people of Wisconsin of
the opinion, in which Judge c. dissented from the
decision of the court as to the unconstiutionahty
OF that act We should by no means concede that
il was such an endorsement in case Judge Craw-
ford were elected, but that it will be deemed so
abroad, every man who knows anything Will &C
knowledge.
Under these circumstances there will be oppo-
sition to his reelection. There should be oppo-
sition.n
The Journal closes its article by recommending
that the members of the present Legislature,
without distinction of party, who are in favor of
sustaining the course of Judges Wilton and Smith,
unite in recommending some suitable person for
the Office"
iere, il appears TO us arises grave question.
How are the people of this State to sustain the
opinion that the fugitive slave law is unconstitu
tional? That ii is an unjust, oppressive, and I'M
wise law, but few will deny but if it is declared
by the Supreme Court of the United States to be
constitutional, what remedy would the Journal
recommend? Resistance or repeal only present
themselves to our view. Which should il be- or
what has either TO do with the election of Judge
OF a State Court7 We find very many anti-slavery
men in this vicinity who think that although they
may consider this or any other law uncoGstitu-
tonal, if the Supreme Court of the United States.
the power appointed by the Constitution to settle
questions OF this nature, decide otherwise it is
part Of the business of State Courts or individuals
to resist such law. a very large majority Of the
people believe repeal the most proper remedy. If
we rightly understand the position OF Chief Jus
tee Wilton on this point, he does not believe il
within the jurisdiction OF State Court to reverse
decisions of the L. S District Court upon points
that the L. S. Supreme Court have decided to be
constitutional. and over which the District Court
has jurisdiction. He only differed with Justice
Crawford in thinking there were points in the fu-
gitive law that had not been decided upon by that
Court while the latter believed their decisions to
be sufficiently extensive to leave no doubt in the
case.
We are not urging the claim of Judge Craw-
ford, or any other man, At this time, giving
an opinion upon the constitutonality of the fugi-
tive slave law, but certainly we are not prepared
to agree with the Journal, that an opinion of any
member OF the Supreme Court, honestly express
ed, because it does not meet the political views CT
ourself. or even OF majority of the people of the
State, should be urged as reason why there
should be opposition to his reelection. When the
Judges OF courts learn that their decisions have
got 10 We in accordance with popular opinion, or
that thew stand no show of future success should
they desire a re election, we fear that too many
would be Iould lacking 10 moral courage sufii-
cient TO enable them to give an honest opinion
Should one he found possessed of such qualities
though he differ from our views in his opinions
he would be the man Of our choice, before him
who yields his honest conviction to please any
man or set of men.
In selecting man to fill a Legislative Office, his
views upon political questions public proper
II, but in Judicial station, he has neither power
10 make nor repeal an obnoxious law, and we
should advise all to reflect before voting for a man
for Judge Of a State Court who does not consider
the decisions of the Z. S Supreme Court binding
upon all inferior Courts in cases properly within
its Jurisdiction.