Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-02-22
Judicial Convention.


We observe that our Republican cotempora-
res are agitating tire policy of calling State
Convention to nominate candidate for Associ-
ate Justice of the Supreme Court. The Demo-
Gratis have already called one for the purpose,
and preparing for vigorous campaign
while there seems to be division of sentiment
in our ranks as to The proper course to pursue
Now it IS well known that we have as an in
dividual, and that the Republicans have, IS
party, deprecated the policy of making, in re-
gard to Judicial office, political Issue. And
we think reasons in the past have been
good. Judges elected by popular vote are too
much like other men, to Withstand the pressure
of public opinion-its applause OF its cepsure
and inasmuch they owe their election to po-
litcal friendship and political party. 1t is i'm
possible for them to forget, remain entirely
unbiased by, their political faith, even when it
comes it contact with sound logic and well es-
tablished law.
But what was expedient and right once, may
by change of circumstances and the crisis of the
times be converted into what is inexpedient and
wrong. Questions OF law, upon which there
no difference of opinion have now
arisen, and the Democratic party has committed
itself to extra judicial decisions of Courts, and
make the issue upon these questions while
the Republicans holding more liberal views in
relation to the rights of man, and believing that
freedom is his normal condition instead of slave
~, and believing that the founders of the Con
stitution intended to protect not only the lives
but the liberties of the people, insist upon elect
ing no man to office, who is not right upon these
issues, no matter what may be his qualifications
in other respects Neither do we want man
VINO is not proof against the allurements of flat
terry, fraud gold, and who has not sufficient
strength of character to enable him to preserve
the ermine unsullied He must be more than
this even, to please Us, he must be like CESAR
wife, above suspicion. True, such man is hard
to find but we have them, and they can be
found and we believe if an expression of the
people could be had they would not only be
found and brought forward, but the right one
triumphantly elected.
Now, in what way can an expression of the
VIII of the people be obtained The Press is
not an unfailing indication, although it exercis-
es d great influence in manufacturing public
opinion. And we know of way of giving
them a voice In the arrangement better than OF
calling convention of delegates fresh froIa
| their ranks. The Legislature is rot competent,
and, moreover, does not represent the Republi-
cans of Democratic counties, who are entitled
TO their voice as members of The party Should
such convention decide, however, that a nomi-
nation Is not expedient, will submit TO the
voice OF the people And vet. should it nomi-
nate man who was objectionable IN any seri-
Gus respect, would not be bound by its ac-
ton for we believe an honest man OF any par
ty better than dishonest man of our own !; but
we do want man who will protect the people
of this State against any unjust encroaehnents
and usurpations of the General Government
who will not justify an erroneous or eppressi &c
decision by appeals to bad presidents who
will discharge his duty fearlessly and honestly
as, we are proud to say, our present Supreme
Court has done. We want DO man who will
make the bred Scott Decision the basis of his
action, or who viii decide that the poorest and
neanest citizen has no rights worthy of respect;
and we want no who will take more inter-
est In assisting Southern Shareholder to re-
enstave his own flesh and blood than in protect
ing the rights and liberties of our own citizens
who have given food to the hungry and clothing
to the naked. And, in view of these questions
we dare not trust our. liberties in the hands Of
any man brought out by the party called Dem
/ ocFatIc Then, the only reasonable way of Sc
curing union of the friends of liberty as op-
posed to slavery aggression, of the friends Of
good order and popular rights as opposed to the
3 D
BARsTow Democracy which would have annulled
both those rights and the Supreme Court for
sustaining them, seems to US, to hold as soon
as convenient, convention.