The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-04-18
The Removal of Judge Davis.

The first stage of this high-handed pro-
ceeding is over. This Legislature Of 1856
has accomplished all that 1t proposed to it.
self when, meeting in secret caucus, those
members Of It who, voluntarily or under
the lash, supported the rash commital Of
Gov. Wells, laid their plans Of vengeance
and assigned the different parts. From that
moment, without awaiting or desiring tho
views Of their constituents, tho deed was
done. The rest was matter Of form, to
be varied only day or two more or less in
tho time Of transaction. They could we'll
afford, therefore, TO give an appearance of
impartiality to their ostensiblc {" hearing "
to support their charges with definite tes-
timony, allow the admission Of oral evidence,
and permit such motions rs ordinarily ap-
pertain to judicial hearings. This, on the
concession that the vague, unjust and irrel-
evant process Of removal by address, was to
DO resorted to, instead of the pertinent and
moro manly method Of impeachment. But
the pcrversity Of the origin was too strong
not to faint the whole subsequent proceed
ings-and oil that remained to Judge Davis
was to assume that his hearing was to 10
conducted in some degree consonant with
the grave charges against him, and to make
tho best defence in his power. In thus do
Ing all that he could to dignity his trial, he
best indicated himself and the judiciary
which was struck at through him.
Thus far, the result is as VIC Anticipated.
For the scheme was 80 destitute Of oil tolcr-
able pretences that, when once begun, moth
ing could give II the shadow Of respectable
ity but tho vigor and completeness Of its ex-
ccution. The wrong was ut once apparent
and to reccde was to make ii also biun-
der, which manager ofmen has pronounc-
cd to be worse than crime. We speak Of
1t rs party measure, which 1t entirely was
for individuals did hesitate, and Il would
have been TO their eternal honor il they had
defeated the project. But 1t would have
ruined their party, which their leaders fore
saw as well a. we. They had to 20 forward,
therefore, to save their crime from being o
temporary blunder, and they have perma-
ncntly made 1t both
We have called this the first stage of the
proceedings against Judge Davis. Let no
man imagine THAI he has yet seen more than
the beginning of the end. The constitution
al remedies are not yet exhausted. Judge
Davis, for the time being, Is striker from
the Supreme Bench, but his colleagues still
hold their seats with power to examine the
methods OF his sudden removal and to rein
state him in his place. IL will have been
seen by the papers submitted during Judge
Davis hearing, that he has saved oil his
constitutional rights with the design Of
carrying the whole matter before tho Law
Court. That tribunal will consider the
constitutionality Of the proceedings Of his
alleged removal, and possibly may traverse
the ground of his obnoxious decision. We
have the fullest confidence in the wisdom
and integrity which the members Of the
Law Court will bring to questions 50 nearly
concerning their own branches OF the State
government.
But whether the matter Of Judge Davis's
removal reaches the Supreme Court or not,
no earthly power can keep 1t from the de-
liberation and decision Of tho people. lie
may have decided erroneously, tho letter Of
the Statutes may not have been tnnsgresscd
in his remoyal-but the motives, tho meth
DDS and the effects Of the deed cannot escape
the fiery ordeal Of the masses. Party ex-
cuses will not serve the perpctnton-the
question will swell beyond oil party proper
tons. II will be seen 10 deal directly with
the sacrcdnes Of our Judiciary, and through
that with the vital rights and safety Of every
citizen. If the very fountains Of justice are
to DO drugged by partizan hands, no virtue
In the other departments can counteract tho
poison. This Is tho feeling Of every honest
and thoughtful man. The consideration
and the discussion have begun, and the
moro they prevail the moro brilliantly will
the great principles Of our government shine
in contrast with this foul deed, and work
out its repration. The very necessity Of
public virtue involves this result, and We ex-
poet the latter as confidently a. wc rely upon
the formcr.-PortLand Adpertiser.