Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-07-01
THE RECORD OF MR.. JUSTICE WOODWARD.

III Is not without degree OF hesitation tnat
we find ourselves called upon TO criticise the
course of gentleman seated on the Supreme
Bench of Pennsylvania. We have an instinc-
tive respect for the ermi1e, which prevents
US from saying anything that may tend to
weaken the confidence of the people in the
most sacred office that citizen can hold. If
We do otherwise now, it is our misfortune and
the fault of Mr.. Justice Woodward. If that
gentleman so far forgets the dignity of the
jurist to enter into an exciting political
canvass without relieving himself of the res
possibility of his judicial station; if, in other
words, he comes before the people in posi-
ton demanding criticism and investigation,
and looks to the bench give him mmuni-
ty, he shirks his own duty and makes ours
unpleasant but imperative. Many years Sc
clusion the bench render it difficult for
Judge Woodward to have record; for his
position entailed silence in every time of
doubt, and freed him from. the necessity that
all brave men must sometimes meet-of speak
ing with boldness and decision. The coun-
try has been for two years in an agony of war,
and although patriotic and good jurists else
without at all dsparaging their dignity, Mr..
Justice Woodward has been so devoted to the
law and its etiquette, that he has not found 1t
proper to avow his patriotism, or TO utter
single word of sympathy with the people. If
his Gubernatoral candidature has no other
effect, 1t wi II give him this opportunity for
there are words and speeches of this gentle
man which must be explained before he can
assume to be the chief executive officer OF the
loyal State of Pennsy yvaRia.
After the election of Mr.. Lincoln to the
Presidency, and before the treason of Mr..
Buchanan had ripened into war, demonstra-
tion of the citizens of Philadelphia took place
in behalf of the Union. Many good men of
all parties participated, and there seemed to
be sincere and earnest desire to assure the
people of the South that Philadelphia was
without hatred to them or their institutions.
1t was one of those lingering evidences of
peace and love which marked the opening of
the war, and showed how much a free people
could suffer before accepting the arbitrament
of blood. Mr.. Justice Woodward took. part,
and made speech that contained evidences
of care and study. He so much pleased
with it declaration of his faith, or, what
| is more probable, as inducement for the
| nomination he then sought and subsequently
obtained, that he printed it as pamphlet and
| gave it general circulation. His subject was
| the troubles of the country, and in showing
| how the country had wronged the South he
| said these remarkable words: ssH seems TO
me that there must be a time lrhea Stare -hoEders
may .fall back on their natural rights and eu,-
pioy, in defence Of their siave property, uhateuer
means Of protection they possess or command %
For using language like this Jefferson Davis
and his friends were called Secessionists for
obeying the opinion of this judge of North
ern Supreme Court the world has called them
traitors. These words were spoken in De-
cember, 1860. The Southern States were then
taking up arms; Fort Sumter was being in.
vested, and all over the South angry words
and threats were heard. There were men
here base enough, as all will remember, to
give the traiters of the South comfort and en-
couragement, and we now see that prominent
among these was the Democratic candidate fol
Governor of Pennsy lvania. How sincerely
the slave holders the South have followed
the advice thus given by a Pennsy lvanIa Judge
two years of weary war have shown.
AS we wish to deal fairly with Mr. Justic,
Woodward We shall more particularly define
, his position. He might have innocenty helC
the opinions now record, for such senti
ments were frequently uttered by good men
who had been betrayed into their advocac,
by the false philosophy that then controlled
the~Democratic party. When they saw, how
ever, their fearful effects when they saw tha
war and treason formed the only logic tha
followed them, they spurned the belief, ant
D atoned for the past by persistent and consci
8 entious loyalty. General Butler, Mr.. Dickin
: son, and others, ilustrious examples Blu
x Mr.. Justice Woodward was careful then, an,
), has been careful since, to prevent any misap
!. prehension of his true position. None ca
$ say of him that he ever changed the opinion
:, thus boldly expressed. Since the slavehold
Q ers Of the South began the war he has bee
silent. Amid danger. defeat, and death whe
the community was oppressed with grief an
shame when every loyal man felt it 4 religion
duty to make profession of his devotion t
the country, this cold, ld,unsympathetic, and Sc
fish man has held his peace. He had mad
himself the champion of human slavery. 9th
world" he said, sscannot live without cotton
and cotton can only be raised under the ey
of a master Or an oyerseer.'' And then W
{. have the following enthusiastic laudation OF
: system that has always been disgrace to on
"a age, and which Southern men themselves he.
II itate to defend ssAnd thus it has ever haI
10 pened," says Mr.. Justice Woodward, ssths