Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-03-11
The Chief Justiccsh;D.
Position of si,e Candidates.

ple Of this State are to elect man to the
responsible office of Chief Justice Of the
Supreme Court.
The contest is not exactly Il political
one. The Democrats have made party
nomination, Hon NJ NJ. CoTHREN, while
the Republicans will generally support as
m independent Candidate, the present
Chief Justice, Hon. LUTHER S. Dixon,
who also was supported by large mum
Der in the Democratic Convention.
OF Judge DIxoN's fitness for the place,
we can give evidence from both parties.
He was solicited to run as an Indepen-
dent Ca, didate, by very many of the best
lawyers in the State, both Democrats
and Republicans. The Republican men,
hers of the Legislature, in caucus on this
subject. passed the following resolutions
RESOLVED, Tint we have full conf
dence in the ability, uprightncss and
imraftality, rs judge, Of Hon.
Luther s. Dixon; that in the dis
charge of the high and responsible duties
of Chief Justice OF. the Supreme Court,
we believe lie has been governed only
by an earnest aud conscientious desire
to administer justice under the Cons;tu-
ton and the laws, and that we have en-
tire faith in his loyalty and answering
patriotism.
ResoIpea That VIC 10 not approve OF
conducting Judicial elections upon parti-
san issues.
Resoloed, That this caucus adjourn
without halloting for candidate for
Chief Justice.
Horace RUBLgE, long Chairman of
the Republican State Committee, says:
Oar opinion of Chief Justice Dixon
has already been freely expressed. We
fully endorse the opinion expressed by
the caucus in regard to his fitness, aud
aud believe his reelection is demanded
by the best interests of the State. There
is between HIM and the candidate of the
copperheads all the heaven wide differ
onco that exists between unconditional
Unionisn and earnest loyalty on tue one
hand, and sympathy with the cause OF
the rebellion, lliuity with the views OF
its leading spirits, and bitter hostility to
all the measures calculated to promote
the enforcement Of the constitution and
laws in the rebeili0us States, on the
other There is in addition to this all
| the difference between them which exists
| between man Of pure and unexception
! able habits, aud a man Of incorporate
aud dieso!ute habits. Judge Dixon is
moreover upon tie bench; he has had
the benefit Of three years experience;
and unless some very good reasons exist,
unless there IS prospect Of efectine a
! great improvement by change, we are,
as general rule, in favor of re-electiuo
Jadges Of the Supreme bench. We
shall therefore give our vote and influ
ence for Mr. Dixon,
On the Democratic side We have the
testimony Of Hon. E G. RYAN, who is
considered one Of the very abIest lawyer:
in the State He Iabored hard to secure
Judge DIxoN's nomination in the Dem.
ocrat;c Convention, and in his speech
before that Conyeution, said:
| know the object of this convention
is to nominate person in every respoc
fit for the position of Chef Justice. /
cSacts no other qualification than fitness
Tho candidate should be man of ma
tune years, of sound Judgment, some
what above the grade Of fair LAWYER
He should lie a good lawyer, aud above
all lie should possess legal mind which
c. n he led away by no political heresies
one who does not seek the law in vague
the ries, but one who, when he laws hi:
hand on the constitution believes every
word Of the oath which he has taken tc
support it. We want a sound constitu-
tional lawyer, which is only a convert
bic term for Demociat. | don't care
for his antecedents. What I want is Z
man who has intelligence enough to see
the law as it is, and who has fearlessness
enough to pronounce judgment in accor-
dance with the law, even though the
Presidents long sword hangs poised
above his head
AS man fully coming M TO his
standard, | nominate Luther S. Dixon,
tie present Chief Justice, as candidate
before this convention. Sir, know him
Without pretending to any intimate nc.
quaintance with him prior to his appoint
meet as Chief Justice, | have since that
time known him well. | have seen him
when, if ever be belonged to the Repub.
lican party-which | very much doubt
he had to choose between obeying bis
party and obeying his conscience, aud be
obeyed his conscience every time. / have
seen him when very little quibbling,
such as is the habit Of these quibbline
/ times, when it would have been an easy
task to gloss over a Question in few
! specious words, and Violate tho constitu-
ton, but Luther s. Dixon never did it.
He never hesitatea one moment, but ad
hered strictly to tho Constitution and the
laws. Gentlemen, Ike tried abil
ity and tried truth, and for that reason |
am hare 10 day IN urna fha nom inaf;nn