Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-04-10

neighborhood, arrogated and claimed for him
self a superior rank and privilege over the peo
! pie of his neighborhood, much more have
shown, that Circuit Judge, with the same te
nure, independence and irrespOnsbility, with ar
unlimited jurisdiction of all matters of dispute
property brought before him, and Circuit EN-.
DgaclAg tive or six counties, and an extent o
territory about one hundred miles in diameter
might arrogate and claim Tor himself superior
lby to the people, aud thus consider himself to
be not only one of the First Fdmataes Of Yer
g"sa0 Dut one OF the arlstocratic nobility OF the
country, if not by ''dioine right" certainly by
The legacy OF the British government when her
right expired to rule the Colonies, and her claiu
exSingulshed to hold the country. Have these
propositions been established2 Let the people
answer the question. If these positions be con-
sldered established, then, as to the proposition
that such Circuit Judge, as alleged, was no
more accessible to the people than a German
Prince, little need be said: for the truth OF the
proposition follows er aaecsssit0te rel, and can
not be successfully controversial 1t is true the
rank, privilege, Office end duties of petty Ger
man Prince, and those of such Circuit Judge,
If history be true, are very different; yet in
some things there is similarity. l will name
some of the circumstances of difference, and theE
some of their correspondence. The Prince is
dependent upon his people for the support OF
himself, his house and government-if he has a
government, according to his rank among the
nelghborlng princes, and, of course, must have
the deepest sympathy with them; because the
happiness and prosperity of his people are vir-
tually his own. Whatever affects the people
and causes them to mourn, also affects the Prince
and gives him sorrow; thus their happiness and
prosperity is the foundation of his throne, and
without it his kingdom falls
This certainly shows a different state of feel
ing for the people, as well as the cause, from
that, as shown, OF the independent and ire
spOnsible Judge Then, if the law of kindness
was the rule OF intercourse between the Prince
and his people; and the want of sympathy the
rule of such Judge, in his intercourse with the
public, the truth of the proposition is conclu
slvely established. But, in some things, there
is a correspondence between the powers and du
ties of such Prince and those Of such Judge !;
which, for the sake of the analogy, | will call
attention. The Prince has his ministers or cab
met officers the Judge has his officers of Court
The Prince has power to maintain order, and
execute the laws; the Judge had power to pre-
serve order and have the laws executed. The
Prince sometime abuses his power. Was the
Judge ataoays erempt from such abuse? Ger
tainly not. The Prince is approached through
Judge, while holding his Court through its off
GERS, and usually by the same plan. If this be
so, is not the analogy almost complete2 Then,
is it reasonable to suppose or expect judge
who filed the Judicial Office fifteen or twenty
years, under the old system, and was trained,
schooled and accustomed, during that period,
to the independence and responsibility of that
tenure, as well as to the selfish habits, practice
aud feelings, which that system created, taught,
fostered aud inculcated, if elected, under the a.
mendei Constitution of August 1st, 1851, could
change those habits and feelings, and perform
the duties of his Office, according to the requis-
tions of wholly different law2 do not con-
| tend that it would be impossible, however, for
the operation OF the present election system is
so much more beautiful, pleasing and agreeable
| than that OF the old, vicious system, it is hard
70 believe that any Judge, however accustomed
70 The practice, aud imoibed with the principles
OF the Old system, unless, indeed, he has lost all
| fbe noble syinpathies of the human heart could
behold the present system without admiration
and delight, and cheerfully adopt Its principles
and practice. Yet the love Of power is an atfec-
ton SO strong III the human mind, taught by
history, and confirmed by the experience of ages,
that it is miracle, indeed, if man having once
obtaiLe ed power over his fellows, and been ac-
custoined to its authority, yields or surrenders
it without stupenGous struggle.
The leopard cannot change his spots, nor the
Ethiopian his skin. Nearly so with the man
long having power, seldom, if ever resigns but
be may be compelled to surrender. Is not this
principle illustrated almost every day in every
community and political psrty9 No man can
intimate to popular leader of community,
or to the chief of a political party anything in
his character prsjudcial to his position, as such
leader or chief, and be forgiven. He will have
committed an objectionable sin, for which no
repentance can avail. Are not Circuit Judges
men2 If so, have they different nature and
passions from other men9 No, they manifestly
have not: for all have frequently seen that they
are most strikingly subject to zike passions
JUNIUs.