Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1860-02-25
''Party Nominations for JUDGES,


-ILuGtOfS ~ CttSSftttft CCttFttY L1/4US,
ASIRs : As the question Of the impen-
ding Judicial Election is just now the
all prevailing topic of conversation
among those who take any interest in
the matter, l hope yoa will pardon this
intrusion upon your time; and If you
deem the following thoughts and sug-
gestlons not really inappropriate, that
You will give them place in your col
nnnS.
In examine the question, l shall con-
fine myself to the points OF difference
As understand them-besween Repub-
licans.
The question ofprimsry Importance,
and in fact, the only real question up
on which Republicans differ, is, wheth-
er we shall make a party nomination
for Circuit Judge? 1t true there are
other aasnor matters of difference, but
they are only secondary; and the first
question disposed of the others are ca
SHY arranged. There are several I'M
portant considerations that seem to
bear directly upon this question; and
not the least of these, is the principle
| VI StSStiNc JudlctdIN.
| take the ground, without stopping
to discuss the question, that the people
should have direct voice in selecting
all their public servants and hope to
see the time when this will be the case.
The genius of our institutions, as we'll
as IN enlightened conception of 4 free
government demands it. This propo-
sition disposed OF, I proceed to the
question Us to the propriety of making
u party nomination. Party names are
significant only, as they express the
leading ideas or measures OF the organ
izati0ns which assume them. Between
Republicans and Democrats, as snch,
there are certain differences Of opinion
rs to matters Of public policy, which
are as apparent ashley are important.
The most prominent questions on which
they ditier-or at least those which be-
come so to us are the right Of Con
gress to legislaic upon slavery in the
Territories; the appellate jurisdiction
Of the United States Supreme Court
over the State Courts, and the DISPOSE
ton OF Public Lands. From the first
Of these questions spring out several
others Of a secondary nature, all how
ever depending more Or less upon the
first; but Of these will not speak.
Believing, as Republicans do, that
Congress has :, right to restrict slavery
to lis present limits, and that Congress
has the Legitimate control Of slavery in
the District of Columbia. they would
be pursuing an inconsistent, and suici-
dial policy, to say the least, should they
elect men to represent the Republican
i. sentiment i'll Congress, whom they did
not know to be thoroughly imbued with
the Republican idea. Or, favoring as
they do, the free distribution Of Public
Lands, would they not be treacherous
to themselves, and recreant to the prin-
cipIcs they advocate, should they elect
a man to represent them who was not
himself irrevocably committed to that
principle.
So too upon constitutional law and
obligations. If the Dred Scott Deci8
ion is held by the Republicans to be
null and void. if the appellate jurislic,
ton of the United States over the State
Courts be denied, would they not be
equally Inconsistent, and equally dere-
llct i'll duty to lend their aid in placing
upon the bench y man who was not
known to be an honest and persistent
advocate OF State Rights? or who was
not known to be faithful exponent
and representative Of the Republican
sentiment upon the bred Scott Decis-
ion?
We are frequently met with the OBJ
lection that Judges should not be pol
iticia!ls." Granted. Bat does it nee
csSarily follow that because a man is ell
evated to the Bench as a Republican,
he should thereafter descend to the
questionable position ola pot house pol
itician, any more than one WHO is elec-
ted as an independent candidate? The
fact is, question the profession of neu-
trality and political independence about
which we hear SO much, when made
before election. Bat after election, [
admire an independent Politician
Neutra1sty in politics, as in religion,
savers too mach Of a want Of principle,
or political backbone and hence | look
with distruSt upon it.
But to return. In selecting candi-
dates for Governor, no one questions
the proprlcty Of selecting one who faith
fully reflects the sentiments of those
who desire to place him in power; and
where is the greater improperly in pur'
suing the same course i'll selecting our
Judges? | confess that I fail to dis
cover it. There is, in my opinion, an
otter very important reason why Re
pabIicans should nominate and elect
their candidate; and that is, the effect
it will produce upon the November
election. Should we he guilty Of elect
ing Democrat, or . neutral who can
be claimed by the Drmocratic party.
it will be bruited abroad as great
Democratic victory; although if elect
ed it must be by Republican votes-
We have witnessed the result of such