Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-03-04
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE TRIBUNE.
MADISON, Feb. 23d, 1856.

ton in the case of Bashford rs. Barstow.
At an early hour last Monday morning, the
Supreme Court room filed with the friends
of the respective parties, anxious to ascertain
what the decision of the Court would be, touch
ing this vexcd question.
As my eve rested upon the faces of that ca
ger crowd could not help noticing the mark
ed contrast exhibited, and l deemed it not
very difficult task to distinguish between the
good and evil spirits there copgregated. Truly,
it was fine and ample field for the deciples of
Lavater, wherein TO prosecute their studies, and
opine that but little difficulty would have been
experienced by the youngest students of the
science, in pointing out who were the friends OF
Bashford, and WHO among the number had link
ed their wishes, hopes and fortunes with those
of the usurper.
The decision of Chief Justice Wilton
listened to with profound attention, and may
Justly be regarded document of no ordinary
Importance one that cannot fail to reflect last
ing honor upon our Judiciary, and indeed, one
that would grace the records ofany Court State
Federal.
The remarks of Judge Smith in relation to
the case. produced marked effect upon the
audience, and served to define clearly, if
possible the power Of the Court to entertain
jurisdiction.
At the conclusion of Judge Smiths remarks,
the Court consented, at the request of Barstow's
counsel, to allow them until Thursday morning
TO answer to the writ, tho the Court said that
so far as the records went, there was nothing
upon them to show cause why judgement
should not be rendered in the case.
On Thursday morning the friends of the re-
spective parties again assembled i'll the Court
room, but the answer to the writ was not forth
coming, the attorneys for the Relator and the
Respondent having submitted stipulation"
to the Court, but which the Court refused to en-
terrain, on the ground that it was not in the
regular course of pleading. Monday morning.
therefore, the 25th, was appointed by the Court
at which time the Respondent should answer to
the writ.
1t is to be hoped that this time his "fraudulcn-
cy" may be brought to face the music," and
show his colors. undoubtedly they viii plead
the certificate of the Commissioners, and deny
the power Of the Court to inquire into or go back
of the certificate that the Court Will do so Is
l take it beyond all question and then, mark
the prediction, Barstow will defy the Court,
withdraw from the contest, and seek TO retain
his position by force, should it become necessa-
~, and provided always that he can find fools
enough to back him, whose fortunes as desper-
ate as his own.
/ This is virtually the only chance left HIM, and
it is his last card, but it will not be Trump"
for tribulation is already in the Camp Of the
| Usurper, confusion prevails CONSERVATION has
seized upon the unterritied and each one is
d" making tracks on his own individual account
thus with the exception Of the "phorty,"
whose fortunes are afoat in the same tub, Bar
stow is deserted in the hour of his extremity,
and left to the mercy Of an indignant and out
ragged people, whose government lie has usurped
and whose rights he has tramplcd under foot
Aside from politics We have had a very ia
! teresting week of it. On Thursday night last
Judge Doolittlc lectured to the citizens of Mad
son in the Assembly Hall on Nebuchadnez-
Ears dream" I was little curious to hear his
views upon the subject and therefore attended.
/ Though I was prepared for something out Of the
usual course, must confess l was somewhat
taken down by the views advocated. The
Judge followed closely in the footsteps of preyi-
/ Gus commentators on the Bible fully endorsing
/ thier understanding of Daniels Interpretation of
the dream, without any variation until lie came
/ TO that portion where i. says:
| And in the days of these kings stall the God
/ of heaven set up Il kingdom, which shall never
/ be destroyed and the kingdom sEall be let to
other people, bit it shall break in pieces and
consume all these Kingdoms, and it shall stand
/ for yer.'-Danid, II Chap IA rorsc
And then he left them and to the astonish-
Incnt and amusement of his audience, said that
! the kingdom here referred to was the Universal
/ Yankee Nation " and 6 nothing shorter" And
/ entering into an elaborate argument to sustain
his position. How well he succeeded / must
leave your readers to infer. Setting aside the
| theology the lecture was well written, happily
conceived and ably delivered
/ The Rev. DR.. Cook addressed the Assembly
last Wednesday night on the importance of the
State fostering lis institutions Of learning, and
though he disclaimed at the outset any hostility
to the State University, before he got through it
was easy to perceive the clovcn foot pecpiug
from beneath the folds Of his priestIy and sec
tartan robes.
What the DR., asks is that the same support
.
pleased TO term denominational" schools or
colleges a Is extended TO the State University.
Tins, he thinks, would be in accordance with
the Constitution; forgetting, if he ever knew,
that there Is clause in the grant touching the
University fund, which prohibits the teaching
of denomnational" dogmas
If this Rev. Dr.'s opinions were to become
the policy of the State we should soon have all
the various religious denominations in our State
establishing schools and colleges for the propa-
CATION of their respective creeds and each ella
moring for their share Of the public funds.
Now this may all be very we'll and no doubt
would work TO the satisfaction of all concerned:
but what noise and confusion" it would occa-
sion IN the Protestant ranks, should their Cath
ole neighbors, as they undoubtedly would, lay
claim to the same fund, and thus receive aid
and comfort from the State in the promulga-
ton of doctrines that, in the estimation of mar