The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-04-04

Judges in future, who would be true to duty
and conviction, and who would act upright
". Something must DO done to check the
independence Of the Judiciary, and why
should not Woodbury. Davis be the victim ?
Away with him-crucify him. L. C.
AUGUSTA, April 2, 1856.
/ have been permitted to read letter
written by Judge Davis, in reply to one nd
dressed to him by warm personal friend,
n member of tho Kcnnebcc Bar, conveying
to him the sympathy which he felt for him,
and assurances Of support in the trial, thro'
which he is called to pass. The letter is
indicative of the man, written in no spirit
of vindictivencss but expressing in suitable
and appropriate language the feelings which
he entertains with respect to the partizan
measure of which he is to DO the VICTIM
The letter was not intended for the public
eye, but with some persuasion, I have been
allowed to make few extracts from it. No
man can rise from its perusal without deep
eradmiration for the character Of the man,
and greater dctestation Of the unhallowed
act which partizan rage is Eabout to perpe-
tnte.
The letter is dated March %, 1856. AT
ter thanking his friend for his kindness in
remembering him in the hour Of trial and
for his expressions Of sympathy and assur-
ances of support, he says:
"In the great trial through which l am
now called to pass, have the consciousness
of having acted from convictions Of duty,
and however Il may effect me personally, i
am willing to leave the result to the dispos-
al of Him who, unworthy as l am has thus
far guided and supported me in every hour
of peril. Not that have any expectation
of escape know too well the yindictiye-
ness of those mon, who for the past few
months, have been following my footsteps
with an Unsuitable thurst for blood"
"My personal position, am aware, is
such that my fate Is of little public impor-
tancc. Though am to be thrust from the
bench, with whatever ofignomy tho pres
ent Legislature has the power to heap upon
me. ihayo neither family nor fortune to
commend me to the public sympathy. Had
il been otherwise, might not have been Sc
lected as the victim. In the columns OF the
State paper have been tauntingly remind
ed of the obscurity of my origin. have
no wish to deny or conceal 1t. II is true
that have enjoyed no advantages except
such rs have been the fruits of my own Ia.
Dor. left the parental homestead with no
bounty but o fathers blessing, and q
mothers prayers. 1t was all they were able
to bestow. God forbid, even il l werc the
object of public honor, instead of persecu-
ton, that should ever be ashamed OF them.
And there is one consolation that no earthly
tribunal has power to deprive mc-that, on
whatever pressure, by no apostacy from
those principles which learned at the pa
rental Grcside and around the family altar,
have given them reason to DO ashamed OF
me-"
"Nor are my accusers any who have
sought justice at my hands. 1t is less than
five months since l entered upon the duties
of my Office, and for more than three months
of that time l have been employed in the
trial of causes, mostly ut Bar claiming to
be the ablest in the State, Councillors of ex-
allied reputation, who have practiced in the
highest courts of the United States, have
tried their causes under my direction, and
however opposed to me politically, and now
perhaps, willing to sec me sacrificed to pro-
mote the interests of party, ! am confident
that they will not publicly deny, what in
private they have been free to admit, that l
have discharged my official duties to their
entire satisfaction"
al am not unmindful that all these things
will have no influence with the Legislature.
They have entered their charges against me
upon the record, and they will expel me
from Office because have refused to bow to
their behests. But n far. different record,
against them instead Of me, will be entered
upon the impcrishable tablet Of the public
judgement. The ono, I feel confident will
ere long DO expunged in as solemn manner
Us it has now been inscribed-The other will
remain indelible-a damned spot" upon
the leaders in this business, which the light
of coming time will only exhibit in broader
expression and blacker shade. To that flu
ture which is sure TO award that justice
which the present often denies / commit my
cause with an unfalterins trust"
And the writer of these sentences, 80 fifty
chosen, 50 expressive of earnest fllial regard,
so full of proof Of rcctitudo of intention, so
trusting in the protection of Him whose sup
porting arm sustains in the hour of trial, is
to DO offered up sacrifice to the maddcning
rage Of partizan violence accused ofno crime,
charged with really nothing but with hav-
ing given an incorrect opinion, he is to be
dragged from the bench which he has occu-
pied, with ignominious haste, and the Judi
ciary insulted, and its power trnmplcd on
by reckless and unaccustomed exercise OF
legislative power. Even before tho hearing
is had tho victim is prejudgcd, the case set
tied in the cellars of the capitol, bya mid
night irresponsible tribunal, unknown to
the constitution, and tho solemn mockery Of
a public hearing is only allowed to comply
with the outward requirements Of that CON-
which will be violated in spirit If
not in the letter, by the unhallowed act
which the fanaticism Of party stands ready
to perpetrate. i. 0. Q.
AUGUSTA, April 2, 1856.
learn this morning that the Committee
have settled on the following as the order Of
in the hearing Of Judge Davis,
viz:
The hearing is to DO had before both