, 1860-02-20

been elected q. S. Senator over Judge Lowe,
Of Green Bay, by reason Of his concurrence
will the Supreme Court on tho State Rights
question. This fact had creatcd some bitter
mass Of feeling among an influential portion Of |
the Republican party-innuential il numl ers,
ABILITY aud character. It was contended " |
the supporters Of Judge Howe that tho Coust |
question lad no business with the political
question. 4 cry Of prescription was raised,
which willie it had no influence upon suose-
'qucut elections Of judges, raised some Bit
tcrness in the party, aud has now come
to f,c,is IN The controversy between
tho friends Of Dixon md Smith The latter,
though supported BY powerful division Ct
the party in tho contest Of last year, was ruled
out Of the fight on account Of certain facts per-
sond to himself, which tile pnrty could not
endorse. The Hon. byron Paine, Booths
counsel in the Fugitive Slave case. was elected
to Smiths vacancy by nearly ten thousand
majority, aud Judge Dixon was appointed to
Chief Justice Wliton's place by Gov. Randall
4 short time since, as tho public are aware,
Judge Dixon delivered an opinion in branch
OF tue Booth case, which was equivalent to
surrender Of the State Rights position taken by
tue Court heretofore. 1t did not touch the coll
stitutiouality Of the Fugitive Slave Law, but it
conceded tue right Of the q. S. Supreme Court
to review and reverse the Judgments Of the
State Court in matters touching the liberty Of
citizens charged with violating that law. DIX
on and Smith are both candidates for Chief JUS
tice. At first blush it would seem the clear duty
Of the Convention which meets ut Madison on
tue o9th lust, to rule them both out and take
third man. But this plan is beset with va
rious difficulties. If the third man should hap
peu to concur with Judge. Smith on tho State
Rights question, the other wing Of the party
{wnether great or smalD, would be as much non
suited as though Smith himself were nominat-
cd. On the other hand, il lie should happen
to concur with Judge Dixon, the State Rights
men would undoubtedly bolt, and defeat him.
If Smith himself should 10 nominated, the
party would become responsible for his per-
'sonal errors, defects, or what not thing
which many Of his own friends are unprepared
for. If Judge Dixon should be nominated
Judge Smith would probably run as an indie
pendent candidate, and what with his rnqucs-
toned popularity and tact, it is admitted by all
that he would make a heavy inroad in the vote
usually given to tue regular nominee.
These aretle facts which seem 10 favor the
opinion that tho coming contest will be rather
Of popular than political cast-that Judge
Dixon and Smith will 20 beiore the people OF
their own merits aud strength. And in surl
case it is not to bo denied that the f,rmcl
will receive the bulk Of tho Democratic vote
and the latter the larger share Of the Repub
lican. If there is aug safer plan for maintain,
ing tue integrity and power Of the Republi
can party than the one here indicated, we tr1ls
the coming Convention will find it out ant
adopt it. It is fact beyond controversy 1ba
the party is stronger on the State Rights ques
ton than on any other issue; but on the othe
hand it should be remembered that that ques
ton is 10 part Of the nutional Republican
platform, and that its influence, so saIusary i
| Wisconsin, mar 10 unfortunate elsewhere.