Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1866-09-15
THE JUDGSHIP,

Mr.. Edifor.-An objec ion is being serious.
ly made against Judge Hitchcock, that as one
of the Peace Commissioners appointed by Gov
ernor Dennison in lS6l-he showed disposi.
lion to yield too much 10 the claims of the
Southern States, in order to accomplish the OBJ
jects of the convention. But as the Southern
States showed no disposition to accept the terms
proposed by that convention it cannot be
claimed that any harm resulted to the nation
from the propositions advanced on that occa.
| sion--aDd the fact that such strenuous efforts
were made in favor Of peace tended, at least, to
place the rebellious States more clearly 10 the
wrong in tLeeyes of those who sought the cause
| of our national strife. But how does that &C.
tion tend to dtquaify the man for judicial
posit ion ? In all those countries where liberal
forms of government have obtained, the indepeu
dence OF the judiciary has been always considered
Of the first Importance, to secure the rights and
liberties Of the people. And in order TO secure
this independence, and place those who admin.
ister justice as far as possible above those pop
ular exeitemenis which in free governments
are liable to Influence the public mind, it has
usually been deemed important to fix long terms
to judicial Offices; often giving life tenure to
the Office, ss now in the federal government, and
giving the appointing power 10 the Legislative
or the Executive branches o ( the government.
Vermont was one Of the first. IL not the first
state in the Union which provided for the elec-
lion Of judges ny the people. But so careful
have the people of that State been in the exer-
else Of that power, that they have always care
fully avoided mixing the elect ion Of judges with
the ordinary politics of the country. Hence it
is, that while the state OF Vermont has never
cast its vote with the Democratic party, yet
from the year 1885 to Is6l-Judge Red6eld
was annually elected 10 place ou the Supreme
Bench OF that state; and most OF that time he
beId the Office of Chief Justice. although during
that whole period of .weniy.fv years be was
known a0d recognized as member of the Dem
ocratic party. Other States have for years,
pursued the came policy, looking to integrity
and judiea ability as the most important quail.
ifcatons for that Office. A different course
has been adopted in Ohio, and perhaps in oil
the western states, and it is not my purpose now
TO question the propriety of the course adopted
and generally pursued in this state, bat simply
to suggest that ordinary party considerations
are not necessarily involved 10 the canvass for
the election of a Judicial officer. 1t is not up.
on questions Of state policy, that judge is re-
quired to act but upon rights to property and
the securityand liberty Of the people, when those
questions are properly submitted to bis cousid-
GRAFTON. But let US briefly consider what are
these political objections which are urged a.
gainst Judge Hitchcock. that it is claimed dis
qualify him for that Judicial Office At time Of
intense excitement in the nation; the most
when the President elect was obliged 10 reach
the Capitol 10 disguise, for fear Of armed vio-
lencsi wheo the life OF the nation was in immi
Dsst peril when our army and navy. and our
arms and munitions Of war were 10 the hands Of
insurgents, the Governors OF the several States
deemed II advisable that conference should be
held, between the citizens Of the several states,
II possible to effect reconciliation, and avoid
the calamities of impending war; Salmon p.
Chase. Reuben Hitchcock and Others, were ap
pointed by the Governor Of this State, to attend