The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1860-03-21
"wednesday, March, "a, IsG0.
To the Republicans of Pierce Co.
The point at issue I'm our Judi
cial Election.

who is to be Judge of this judicial circuit
for the noxt six years, is to be decided
Although there is, of course, considerable
interest felt in the election, We doubt
whether our Republican friends in this
county are fully awake to the nature ofthis
contest, and the Importance and vital in
terest Of the main point at issue between
us and the Democrats in this election. An
earnest and persistent effort is made by
Mr.. Wethsrby's friends to ignore as far
as possible principles, and conduct the
canvas on the sole ground of the person.
al merits of the two men. Now, we are
about equally acquainted with each can
didate, and if there were not more I'M
portant interests at stake, we should not
have the least objection, to conducting the
canvas on the simple issue, Spencer VS.
Wetherby. But in the name of Repub-
liean principles, and by that love for, and
faith in the truths we advocate, which
alone raises politics above mere al tizan
and personal squabblo for honor and prof
Its, we protest against carrying on this
contest on personal grounds. All that
We have to ask concerning a candidate,
is, "Arc his character and qualifications
competent for the Office" Mr.. Wether-
by is generally known here, and of Mr..
Spencer, we have only to say that who
over accuses him of vicious habits of life,
lies. We are satisfied of bis ability and
tho hearty and unanimous endorsement
he received in the Chippewa Valley is
sufficient guarantee to Republicans else
where. Let us drop the personal discus
sion then, and esteem all reports deroga-
tory to Mr.. Spencer, for what they are
mere electioneering twaddle.
Now let us look at the principles of the
two men. The last Star in authoritative
Iy defining Mr.. Wetherby's position says:
!. His position on the Fugitive Slave Law,
ia. that whether it is constitutional or not, the
highast tribunal of the Nation. the Supreme
Court of the United States, has decided that it
is a lar of the land, and it must be regarded as
such.
2. His position on the decision Of the Su-
preme Court of Wisconsin,, in granting writ
ofhd6eds corpus in the Booth case, can be found
in the decision of the L. $, Supreme Court, in
another column. a State Court cannot null
lily the actions of higher Court
8. His position on the action of Luther S.
Dixon, In refusing to grant writ No. 2, in the
Booth case is. that his decision is in accord
ance with the lar, whether it is in accordance
with justice or not, and is therefore sound"
We number the absve paragraphs, for
convenience in referring to them. Let
US as Republicans, examine them and see
what are the principles of the man whom
the Democrats ask us to support.
1. The Fugitive Slave Law must be
obeyed, whether constitutional or not"
So Mr.. Wetherby thinks. And further,
rs the Star, has assured us that he is
sound Democrat, We are warranted to
suppose that be is believer in the justice
and constitutionality of that law. Now
If there is any Republican who wishes to
express his approval of that damnable
law, and his conviction that it should DO
faithfully obeYed, he can do it. Let him
vote for L. P. Wetherby. If he wishes
to express his utter abhorancs of it, he
can do it. Let him vote for I. G. Spencer.
9. The people of the State have repeat
eddy and uniformly, when the question
has been presented to them, declared in
favor of the doctrine of State Rights as
first expoundsd by the Supreme Court of
this State in the case of Booth, and have
manifested the disposition to stand by
and maintain that doctrine. Judge Paine
was elected last spring on this simple iss-
ne, by largo majority. Now, we have
not space to argue this question. SEN
ator DooIittle in recent speech at Wash
ington, has triumphantly vindicated the
position of the SaIreme Court. We, as