Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-22
For the Enquirer
HUNTER II. MARSHALL.

Mts.rs Editors:-Your recent correspondent, ~.
j." publicly and urgently appeals TO the Oehioe a.s
of Appomat,ox aud Prince Edward 10 Ia,s Circn
men in the pending election for this Judic'ai Scu
and bases HE appeal upon the current runor nhl 'n
Know. Nothngs OF the Circuit regard MIR. Maishhn
q, their peculiar candidate, and will support hn III
that character. ,hoso -;
tis,s represent, know him 10 be incapable Oh uo'n"
wiiful Injustice to any man, even polii!cs oppo
nent and being assured, as ain, that Mr. malsnan
has never held any connection with the AmeIrau
party; that he has not solicited and does MOI aess
their support as party, and that the Americans OF
this section do not advocate his election for any po
iiticsl reason, am bound to believe that your cot
respondent and others who have given currency ~
the rurnor in question, under great mlsapPre
hension as to the real position occupied ny MA ~
shall. 49,. uo,
| understand that position to he simply this: MANY
voters of the Circuit knowing Mr.. NJ. personally and
professionally, aud knowing him to be eiI'hsnlIy
Qualified in every respect, for the Judgeshp nave
sisuiied 10 hun their desire to place him II! Inc eIe
waited station just vacated by Judge LeSb; ahu ne,
acouisscn9 in the wishes of bis friends, and ooeyns
the promptings of high and generous ambition
hes offered himself candidate for election by 'he
votes of the people, without reference 10 party.
II is unquestionably true that the Democratic
county of Prince Edward will give Mr.. Aarshal
large majority; not because We are democratic, nov"
ever; but because we iguore all party
| in eec,ing Judge and vote for the man we beeHe
TO be best suited for the Office. We know Mr.. Mar
shall we'll, willie 10 us Mr.. Logau is a comparative
stranger; and while we are willing to believe wna1
ever his friends tell US Of his ability and worm, we
claim for our favorte equal merit and fitness, win
This addition in his fsvor-that willis Mr.. Logan Is
advancing in the decline ofife, Mr.. Marshall has lns
attained the prime OF manhood; and lie Juoicia
term, whose close would leave MI: Logan ANU .hs
inGrmities OF age would find Mr. Marshall 'natureu
and strengthened for continued service In Inc nfs'
judicial elaction by the people We gave large mrlor
ity TO Whiy in preference TO democrat os Hoes
seen no cause 10 regret conduct then; and we know
no reason that requires US TO change our RUE ie
rule il that merit should bs the test OF Hines iU'
judicial station and the judge aud his Office should
for our own veal, be jealousy guarded from every
oorrupting or debssng influence. Sucn ihueAce III
SONS degree, would inevitably be iet' dsastrousy ny
the people, if judicial eleotions be made dependent
upon the passions and ntrigues, The macbiuery ana
the motives Of political parties Surely If any office
ought to BIZ kept sacrediy separate from al prciane
connection it is that which involves, in lts highest
sense the public administration OF justice.
We should not be unmndiul OF the political circum-
stances that surround us. II the sigma OF the lmes
mean anything, they portend storm which VIII con
vulse the Union. Even now We move IN The snaoo~
cf coming events may be the hsralds OF uisun'oh
md civil war. II the men of the South could have
brsr united, the dangers that menace us might have
been averted il they can be united now, even yet it
il possible TO save the Union. But II party lines are
10 be drawn more ensely than ever, how can We nope
for union! What possibility Is there that parties 10
the South will be united, except in a common cais
nifty if the sh5boeh Of party il to be The test in the
election Of our judgesl As Democrats, we nave ID.
voked the 90 operation of Wings and Americans IN
the election OF our candidates to the highest poics
Offices; we have appealed 10 them in the name OF pa
,ro,isu as Virginians and Southern men, TO rally
around our standards not because those STANDARDS
bear our party badge but because above The insignia
of our parry banners blaze with The stars OF tne
Union What commentary on our slncerity-what
a proof Of our patriotism-Wha' an argument 10 en-
force like appeal hereafter, when We shall again
invoke their aid, ii now in the piping times OF party
peace ourselves shall be tbs first TO awaken party
strife by rejecting worthy candidate for the judgesi7
because he ID supported by the Ameticsns!
But Mpssrs. Editors, uhile sc. j. urges the Demo
cras Of Prince Edward 10 vote for Mr.: Logan, oe
cause X now Nothings are supporting Mr. MarahaIi,
he Informs U.S. by fair implication az eart that Know
Nothiugs In Halifax support Mr.. l.. II disposed Z"
be capous or critical, might pause here to enquire
hog il can be, if Know Nothing favor communicates
Mr.. Marshall that the same sort Of influences leaves
Mr. Logan intact and Immaculate BIT alude 10
this admission for another purpose; II AFFORDS 't"
20 all in our conduct, that seems strange 10 u -
Mr. Logan is Fortunate in possessing the confidence
and es,e.m of his neghbors and acqusntaEces, and
they support him without reference to their party re-
ldtions.
the love of those who have known him In his ooyhond
and his manhood; and will receive their votes with
ont regard to his or 10 their political associations
nas presen, or future 1t is natural for this 10 be so
ind il Haterng evidence of the worth and ability
Of both candidates for the jucgeshiP.
have written hurriedy, and If any word or sentl'
nent has been expressed that could be construed as
An offence toward &c. j. hs favorlte, X Is o"iag %
that circumstance alone. 80
Yours respectfully l.
Prince Edward, Feb. 10th, 1858.