The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-07-05

and privileged class, aided by northern
Representatives, has been accomplished so
far as SECURING complete control ofthis de.
partment of the Government is concerned; (;
and they now demandof the party. whose
every movement they imperylously die.
tate, a change in their action and tone to-
wards this judicial department. In com
pliance with this demand, we find the
party to-day, which for years so vene-
montly denounced the usurpations Of this
court and opposed and disregarded its de-
eisions, have come TO regard it, if the dec.
laraton Of their Presidents and Repre-.
sentatives and party conventions are to
be credited, |, ss thesusest august Iibuual'
in the world-a tribunal whose opinions
are infallible, from whose judgment there
is ho appeal, and before whose decisions
and political DEGREES citizens and parties,
and even sovereign States, are required
to bow. On failure to aoquiesce in this
claim Of prerogatiyc, the Representatives
of sovereign States are denounced on this
floor by the leaders of this privileged class
as traitors to the Government, and as per-
jurers, who have sworn to support Con-
stitutlon they intend to violate.
And here let me ask what there is in
this tribunal, composed as it is by hine
men, that should entitle it, as a political
authority, to the veneration and unques-
toned obedience claimed for It by the
present Administration party, any more
than to the same number of Senator'S and
Representatives that might with ease be
selected as gentlemen possessing at least
equal, if not superior, legal and natural
abilities? Is there anything in tile char
acter of these judges, in their services to
the country, in their learning or qualfi-
cations as lawyers, that should entille them
to the ap2ellation of an august tribunal?"
Is it not fact, we'll known to every one,
tina, so far from this court being compos-
ed Of men ofsuperior abilities. or the abl-
est lawyers in the country, a majority of
them were partisans, and selected be-
cause Of their partisanship when placed
upon the bench? 1t is certainly fact
not unknown to the House and the coun-
try, that men of better legal abilities,
whose nominotion had been submitted to
the Senate for confirmation, have often
been rejected. The committee Oh the
judiciary, ia majority of which has been
pro- slavery for the last twenty years, TO
which said nominations are always refer
red, have, by some means unknown 10 the
public, succeeded in prevailing on the ac-
ting President, whoever he may have
been, to withdraw Objectionable nomina
tions, and substitute others more accept
able for the purpose contemplated By them
while some Of the present parlisans Of this
court were confirmed instead of those
whose names were thus withdrawn or re.
jected. Before | take my seat | expect
to show that purpose was to be accom-
plishcd by those who secured the rejec.
ton, on direct vote for confirmation III
the Senate, of men of spotlcss characters,
Of great learning, and eminent judicial
abilities, or their defeat by the withdrawal
of their names by the President, at the
dictation of this class interest. Debate
was sought to be avoided on this delicate
point, that their ulterior purposes might
thus remain undiscovered, even in the Sc
cret archives Of the United States Senate
Sir, if the country could understand how
a majority of these judges were placed
upon the bench, and the schemes resort
cd to by this class interest to secure mer
to represent their views ani interests
the people would scorn their political de
crees, and treat their usurpations as they
deserve.
Sir, l expect to show that no MAJ
whose nomination has for years been sub
mitted to the Senate for confirmation as
Judge of this court has been rejected fo
his want Of learning, or character as
citizen, or ability as a lawyer; but tha
they have been rejected solely on til
ground of their known or supposed un
soundness on the question of slavery
every man known to entertain liberia
: views on that question being rejected; ant
partisans, without the eminent abilihes o
other requisite qualifcationsfor the bench
f have been nominated and confirmed il
their stead, simply because they were ei
ther supposed or known to be reliable OF
, the question Of sustaining the claims o
the slave power in the judicial decisions
Such is the extent to which this scbem
has been carred-and Ircgret TO say, sue
., cossiully carried-by the carecssncss, o
) incompetency, or criminal completely. 0
a northern Senators, some of whom hav
. had southern plantations we'll Stoke,
o with slaves, while claiming to represent
1 free people. | say but for the inaiifel enc
: or the inability OF northern Senators I
defend and guard the interests of ihos
O they were commissioned to represent, o
: their criminal completely, this sChem
n never could have been accomplished rs
/ has beon; for it required the votes c
9 northern Senators to do it, and by thei
+ action or non action this court, which i
!, former years stood SO high in the estimG
i ton Of the American people, is now lool
g ed upon by the great body ofcitizens wit
It distrust, and regarded by many of III
/ best men of the nation as little else than
e partisan political tribunal.
+ Mr.. Chairman, it is no pleasant task fc
l. an American representative TO declare o
this floor, and to tho country, as no
n do, aud as candor compels mo to do, tb;
). l have lost all confidence in, and veneii
10 tiou for. this Supreme Court; and | coul
h wish that even before the expiration of tt
h next presidential term | could see III
,s Snnrnina CnnrL renroaniznd | wish