The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1861-04-12

The Viexsburg Wig, notices the article
IN our paper = few weeks ago. in regard 10
the election Of judges. We beg to re-
mind The Wig that what we said was
merely suggestive, intending 10 se' the
intelligent portion Of the people 70 think
ing about the matter. We have not said
whether We preferred TO have judges So
lected By popular vote OF by legislative
or executive appointment, and for the
simple reason that we are in doubt about
the question in our own mind. We
should like, therefore. 10 hear the matter
discussed. The Wig makes some sensi-
bic remarks, but they do not BY any means
settle the question. The point Of its ar
gument is that the people. under the
present system. can turn out bad judge
at the end Of four years. Very true, but
then We submit, whether II is not quite ~
likely that they will turn out good one
and put in q bad one. A bad man is
mnoh the most likely 70 resort to the
demagogical arts necessary 10 secure sue
cess at the BALLOT box. Does the Wing
suppose that any Of the great lights Of
English and American jurisprudence
would have been likely 10 succeed in q
popular election. Could not any dema-
roque have beaten theml If popular
elections for judicial stations had always
been the rule, is il not exceedingly doubt
ful whether we should ever have heard
the nsmes of Mansfield, Coke. StOwell,
Marshall, Kent, fancy, and the rest, who
have given lustre 10 the English and
American Benefit
We would like TO see this whole ques-
ton ventilated. We, are Of the people
oursslves--cIaim no higher distinction
than 10 be so considered-and we believe
there is sense enough in the intelligent
masses to know and appreciate the fact
that in order - secRge ust and good
government, there mutt % some things
fixed and settled, some received opinions
in support Of conservatism. some thing 10
check the tendency TO anarchy and mob
ocracy which have been the bane Of Al
free Governments.
II may be that these sentiments viii
prove unpopular. but we believe that our
future history and experience will vindi-
cate their correctness. We regard them
a. just and right. and a. one Of the peo-
pie. expecting no Office and desiringnone,
we take the liberty Of expressing them
The people is the source Of power, but il
Is their interest, in our judgment, TO dele
gate 20 much Of that power TO their agents
a. will give them the benefits Of an en-
lightoned. honest and stable Government
and protect them from the vices Of {
Government where there is nothing TO in
teryene between a momentary popular
within. and the lasting and substantial in
terests Of the community. Where els'
can we better place this needful balance
wheel Of our system than in the hands oI
q permanent and Independent judiciary
Additional safeguards il necessary may b
thrown around il, TO prevent it, oOrruP
ton. BY rendering more certain and ex
peditious the method Of removing IN
worthy men who may happen to becom'
clothed with is honors and charged will
its responsibilities.
These are questions for the people Il
consider. and no better time for the pur
pose will ever come round than now
when old parties are broken up, a ne'
Government IS being instituted, and tn
minds OF men naturally led to reflect upor
the nature and character Of our institu
tons.