Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1859-03-12
To the Electors Of Wisconsin.

10 Inc EieclCrS OF Wisconsin.
A Democratic Convention, on the
5th of March, nominated William P.
Lvnde as a candidate for the office of
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
of the State.
On the same day, meeting of Re
pubhcans, composed of members of the
Legislature, and Of citizens from va
rious parts of the State, convened by
previous notice, and with great una
ninity designated Byron Paine for the
same office.
Mr. LyDde is the Democratic candi-
date, standing on the platform Of the
Buchanan Democracy.
Mr.. Paine, by the voice Of the Re
publican press generally, by the suf-
frsges Of the leading Republicans Of
the State, and by the vote, first of a
Republican Legislative Convention,
and afterward by vote of the same
body united with other Republicans.
met at the capital for the purpose of
designating suitable candidate, is
presented as the Republican candidate.
So far as both the candidates are
concerned, there was never greater
unanimity manifested by either party in
the choice of candidate for Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court. They
are unquestionahly the first choice Of
their respective parties for the office
they are designated to fill, and are fair
opponents Of the principles and policy
of these two parties.
CHARACTER OF THE CANDIDATES.
VIM. p. Lynde is National Admin
istration Democrat, sympathizing with
the Buchanan Democracy, in opposl-
ton to Douglas, a firm believer in the
Fugitive Slave Act and the bred Scott
decision, and the right hand man of
Judge Miller, in enforcing the Fugitive
Slave Act and in sustaining the judi
ciai usurpations Of the District Court.
Byron Paine is a Republican, known
throughout the State, as lawyer of
eminent ability, of impartial jud gment,
and Of unquestioned integrity. AS
counsel in the Fugitive Slave cases he
won National as we'll as State repu-
tation. He asserted and defended with
signal ability, the doctrines sustained
by Judge Smith, and afterward by the
Supreme Court, that it is the right and
duty Of the State to protect the liber-
ties of its citizens against the unconsti-
tutional enactments, and the rights Of
the States against the Legislative or iu-
dicial encroachments, Of the federal
government.
THE ISSUE.
To elect Judge Paine is to sustain
the position Of our Supreme Court in
opposition to the Fugitive Slave Act,
and maintain the character of our State
as the defender Of Liberty: To elect
Mi. Lynde would be equivalent to plac-
ing Judge Miller himself on the bench
of the Supreme Court Of the State.
The issue now made up before the
people is, shall the decision of our Su-
preme Court in favor of Liberty, be
sustained, or shall the arbitrary and
despotic DEGREES Of Judge Miller, in
favor of Slavery, prevail, as the settled
policy Of the State? Personal charac-
ter, political considerations and pecu-
MARY interests, all sink into inslgnif-
canoe compared with the Great CUES
ton which will be settled by the cleo
ton Of either of the candidates. If
Mr.. Lynde is elected, the slave policy
will triumph and the despotism Of the
Fugitive Slave Act and the bred Scott
decision will be endorsed. IF Judge
Paine is elected, Liberty will triumph,
and the glorious doctrines maintained
by our Supreme Court will be estab-
lished on firmer foundations.
It was impossible to concentrate the
vote Of the people on Judge Smith
The sentiment Of the press and the
representatives Of the people at Madi-
son, was overwhelming proof Of this,
which no patriotic or impartial observer
could ignore or deny. It remained
then only for the friends of freedom to
select candidate who would represent
the position of Judge Smith and main
tain the integrity of the Supreme Court
on the question of liberty. Judge
Paine was selected as such candidate,
and in electing him the people secure
all that could be secured by the cleo
ton Of Judge Smith. His ability and
integrity are conceded, and disposition
on the question Of personal liberty and
the rights of the States, is as well
known throughout the State as that of
Judge Smith And let all be assured
that if Judge Paine is elected, he will
accept the office and discharge the du-
ties with credit to himself and honor
to the State.
PAINE OR LYNDE.
The Republicans Of the State, then,
have but one plain course before them.
1t is to unite on Judge Paine and elect
him Every vote thrown away ON q