The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-09-07
Judge spalding.

JuQS6 rs---r-~ .4g.
Hon RUFUs P. SPALDING, is one of the
most able, as he is one Of the truest, most SIM
cere and devoted Repr blicans in the State
yet he, like other patriotic champions of good
cause. has had the misfortune TO be misappre
hended and maigned by those even of his
own party. This disposition to deny a man
the right of private judgment, and to pro
scribe him unless he toes the mark, pre-
scribed by others is most reprehensible to
stand well with party, a man must stifle and
sacrifice honest convictions. there is something
manifestly wroDg-something that needs re.
forming. The nngenerons attacks upon Judge
spalding, has brought out from him the fol.
lowing manly note, which appeared in the
Leader of last Saturday. No just man can
arise from its perusal with any disposition to
censure the writer for his views, his position
or his manly adherence TO his own convictions
/ of duty: s57 o.5' as5i 81 Fa4 5sss tas z11s
t7sH - HzeHf q sg Forthe Moriug Leader
| Mr.. ED1ToR:-I have read the remarks of
your correspondent, in this mnrpingis paper.
| in respect to the election of VIM G. Ghnlson
| to the Supreme Bench, and have no fault TO
find Herewith. sos 3t9a 3,'@ '-i9a' H.t"
1t seems to me that the bare fact of his
owning and selling negro slaves. when about
to leave the State OF Mississippi, some twelve
| or Fifteen years ago, ought not to disqualify
him for any Office in the gift of I'll RepubI
can party. iasj sisfl a5TailJ ,t'C . egsl
said this distinctly in my speech last week
! in Eiyria; but said. further, that could not
vote for Judge Gholson. under present circum
stances, because had long ago formed and
Expressed the resolve not to vote for any man
for Supreme Judge, who would assist in the
lremotest degree, in carving out the Fugitive
Slave enactment of 1850, in Ohio. fi-.i..:j
| Perhaps I am over scrupulous in this mat
ter, but must be allowed to vote according
to the dictates of my judgment. go I
heve, been accused of making an attack
upon Judge Gholson. and of reciting Demo
cratic Slanders' against him for the purpose
of indulging some latent spite. ia
i This is all false. b My relations with Judge
Ghoson, have always been of the most pleas
ant character. and have never spoken of him
in public or in private, without extollipg him
in the highest terms, as courteous gentleman
and a profound lawyer. iN8i az 4at'f aa
/ desire the friends of Judge cGhoson to
understand that cherish none but the kind
est feelings towards him, and think | may
say with truth, that would rather see him
elected Judge of our Supreme Court, than
any lawyer in the State of the class that @fa-
vor the constitutionality OF the Fugitive E. =
actment. OF course, prefer him 10 his pro-
slavery opponent.
had, long before his nomination pledged
myself to vote for no man for that station,
who was not fully committed against that in
famous enactment; and, believing that Judge
| Gholson honestly entertains the opinion,
equally with Judge Swan, that the enactment
must he respected and enforced until repeal
ed have thought it advisable TO say, as I
do now say, that, for this cause, and this
alone cannot give to him my vote.
The scurrility of anonymous newspaper cor
respondents will never move me from well
considered determination. is foI- 2fg9a
.., ;7B s. r.. P. SPALDING.
lClapeland Sent Q 1880