The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-11-10


anticipating that the candidates should be subjected to
the drudgey Of eanvassing through the State. Ia all
this have been disappointed. The elections not
in fact, made by ihe people, but by Irresponsible con.
ventons and the people compelled TO vote for the
nominees, under the penalty Of being denounced as
dlsorganizeTs, or recreanls TO their party. And SO
would be il the proposed change to be made in
the election Of Judges. few interested individuals
would in most rule the elections.
On this subject we glad TO have the cooperation
Of some Of the Democratic brethren; and instead Of
extending these remarks, copy the following from
the North Carolinian: in
ELECTION OF JUDGES BY THE PEOPLEy
As this subject has been alluded to recent
ly by the press in different parts Of the State.
sumo in favor Of giving said election to the
people, and some against it, we feel disposed
to give our views on the subject, because we
regard il as one Of vital Importance to every
citizen OF North Carolina. Ii is no party
question. at least it should not be so. and we
hope we will never live TO see the day. when
any party, Wings. Know Nothings, or Demo-
Gratis, will so lar forget the teachings Of the
pd5tt kuC uutl lutl u"E W thCii NOuuti
themselves, and their children, as to allow
party feeling To enter into our courts Of
justice. OF to 30 before the people with their
candidates Tor that high, yea. that sacyed
Iotfice u Judge Of the Superior Court. Ne
haze every confidence in the judgment and
discriminating justice oil the people We
know that If they are rightly informed on any
subject, they will do right but at the same
time we know that wicked, designing, amb-
tious demagogues. have too often taken ads
vantage OF them and possessed their conf
dence, while men Of the highest order Of
talent; men Of sterling worth and integrity
men who never would deceive them, had no
influence whatever. We see that 10 every
town and hamlet, village and neighborhood
throughout the country. The interest Of
the community for its own protection re-
qulres, in many instances. that our Judges
should be clothed With very high authority !;
upon them We must depend for our rights.
our liberties. and our lives; 10 yindicate the
demands o. justice. and administer the law
as il -, in all its purity. without Partially,
favor or affections TO know neither friend
or foe. high or low. rich or poor. the Judge
mu5t be Independent Of all We feel that IT
Is rather humiliating to acknowledge such
things, but IL - true. that very lew men, even
good men. have the independence TO do right.
regardless d the consequences 70 themselves
some even 20 80 Far as 10 say, !" that suery
man has his price II that be %. the only
place oi safety is beyond the reach OF temp
tatiun. How would We feel, if We we're on
trial for our lIfe-whieh God forbid we ever
should be-for killing a wealthy and inllurn-
tial man. man Of extensive family connec.
ton, aud withal man Of good character
such men have been killed and still the slay-
er justifed-ho would We like to be tried
for such an offence, before JuLge elected
BY the people and hes term Of Office about 10
expire! If he make. due allowance for the
lrailties Of poor human nature. IL he listens
to the voice Of mercy pleading iE our behalf.
we may be spared 10 vote tor him another
term, which we certainly Totdd DO but he
IS afraid Of the influence on the other side.
afraid Of the wealthy prosecutor. and our lite
becomes the price ct his re election. such .
case might not happen but onee IN hundred
years, but that once would be enough for Us.
Reader, u would be enough for you. Il you
should be the unfortunate Uieiim. " ouid
the Judge elected by the people be beyond
the reach Of improper Influences; Look al
those Northern States. where the fugitive
slave Law" j. unpopular with the people
see the slave arrested by his master aud
brought before Judge whoowes his election
TO the people. and let me ask il the prejudice
Of the mob. the fear ofpublie sentiment. doe.
not often bias the Judge. or rather prevent
him from coming boldly fearlessly, to enforce
the law. and return the slave to his master
The law j. plain, he is sworn to administer
Il d, Il il. and yet. fearing that Ne may mol
be reelected il he discharges his duty. by
enforcing the Law. be pandrrs to the passion.
and prejudiees Of those around him he know,
their wishes, and he wants the hrmness "a
do right; he wants the independence TO adj.
minister the law. regardless of the ronse
quenees 10 himself. But IL may be asked
what would We argue from that. North
Carolina" Judges have no such eases 10 try
and il they should have. they would enforc,
The law. We admit IL; but suppose that
some of our own laws should become as IN.
popular with the people as the " fugitive sla,,
law" is at the North. and Our Judges wer,
dependent on the people for their Office, hav,
we any assurance that they would not b,
equally wanting in frmness and indepen
dencef We may be in error, our fears ma,
. be groundless. but We shudder at the though
. Of making those who have our lives, ou
, liberties aud our property so much in thei
power, dependent upon popular favor 70
their support We think il is rather dan
getous 20 make experiments where failur
may cost 30 much. The present method O
eleeting Judges has worked well so Gar los
tiee had been administered fairly and impair
tally and although some cases may have sp
peared hard. although some guilty person
may have escaped punishment, we are prou
TO believe that 40 innocent man has eve