Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-08
Political InIOIerR nee.


Occasionally, it becomes the province of
the journalist to record an act of conspicuous
political libera!ity--a rare and unusual cir
cumstance, it is true, in these latter days, and
therefore so much the more to be noticed and
commended We have recently seen an in
stance of it, which in view of the circum-
stances of the case, we think worthy of es-
pecial mention.
A vacancy occurred in judicial circuit in
/ the State of Maryland. The duty Of filling
/ it devolved upon the Governor of that State.
He cast bis eye over the circuit: canvassed,
in his mind, the qualifications of the various
members Of the bar; made up his conclusion
aud conferred the commission upon gentle
( man who had been conspicuous and active in
the ranks OF the opposition party. Some
/ people may say that this is trifiing matter,
but we regard it as one of the greenest spots
we have encountered in the arid waste of
politics for years. 1t shows so much the
spirit of the good old times, before party
rage aud hate had driven men into passion
ate excuses, that we are glad 10 record it
and hold it up, as Especial and bright excep-
ton to the political intolerance which has be-
C me Of late years, So marked feature OF
American politics.
! 1t is known that Maryland is the only
State 10 the Union, with one exception, whose
Governor belongs 10 the American party
| 1t is known, also, that he WAS elected after
one of the most bitter and violent contests in
the history of the country. 1t Is known, al
SO, hat the American party has been more
rigidly aud thoroughly prescribed by the De-
mocracy, than has ever been the case with
any other party since the beginning OF our
national existence. To suppose that even
one solitary monument of that party would
have been been left standing in the State OF
| Maryland, if the Democratic candidate for
/ Governor had been elected, is To suppose
something which nobody will pretend to be-
leve They would have been swept from po-
/ litical existence with u prescription az once
relentless and yindictive. 1t has been the case
elsew here, and it would have been the case IN
! Maryland Under these circumstances the
reader will agree with Us that 1t is con7pi-
cuous instance Of liberality in Gov. Hicks to
elevate TO the Bench an active political oppo-
nent. Had he suffered one to remain in of
! fee when be had the power OF removal. 1t
would have made the case strong enough -
But the appointment de moro increases the
magnanimity of the act, and invests 1t with
still greater sign tcance and honor.
10 contrast with this appointment, let
US look at the conduct Of the Democratic
party in the Senate Of the United States a
few years ago. a vacancy occurred in the
Supreme Court of the United States, just be-
! fore Mr. Filmore went out of ofhce as
! President. lie nominated for the position
Senator Badger oi North Caroi!na-a gentle
man OF eminent legal abilities, of unblem-
! ished moral character, OF dignity and OF IN
dependence. The Senate of the United
States refused II confirm the apE ontmcnt.
! Badger wac a Wing, Refused because the
| delay of few months would enable Mr..
FilImore's Democratic successor to appoint a
Justice Of his own political faith. And this,
too, when it was universally admitted that
Mr.. Fillmore had been the most liberal to his
political opponents, in the distribution Of Of
| fees, of any President we have had since the
days of John Quincy Adams. We venture
to say that there is not IN all the Union, an
avowed member Of the American party VINO
is allowed to bold an office which it /, with
in the power of the Democracy to turn him
out Of--and yet, We hear constant complaints
of the pruscriptse and intoleraut spirit OF
the American party. Let the Democracy IL
lustrats their liberalitS by some such signal
exhibition as this recent act OF Gov. Hicks
and then they may complain Ot the lntoie-
rance of the opposition without that sense OF
shame which should now accompany 50
gruundless harge.-LYHchJWg JTgtnaH.