The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-08-09
NOTHING SURPRISING.

Some of the Radical journals seem to
be greatly dissatisfied with the address
recently issued by Mr.. Jordan, chair
man of their State Committee. They
are disgusted with the stale cry of
Secession" set up by lnm as an argu-
ment against Judge SharsWood, and
regard the whole address as a kind of
pitiful twaddIe which can result only i'll
injury to their own candidate.
The character of Mr. Jordan 'saddress,
does not astonish us whit. We be-
came acquainted with his style, years
ago, when he was wont to issue his pro-
nunciamentos to the faithful in this
county. Did the Radical editors who
complain of his crudities know the
man, they would be willing to forgive
him. As matter of news we give the
following opinions of Radical newspa-
pers, in regard to Mr.. Jordan's address:
From the N. Y. Tribune.
We cannot endorse the address Of the
Republican State Committee, in which
Judge SharsWOOd is attacked with more
zeal than diScre ion. He is denounced
as the orator of a States rights celebra-
ton held in the dark ages of 1884, as if
an act of 30 years ago could have vital
meaning now. The very toasts offer
ed by others at the dinner in 1884 are
quoted to show that Judge SharsWOOd
is not fit for the office Of Chief Justice,
and the editorials of obscure Democrat
ic papers are copied in capital letters,
as prOofof his sympathy with the rebel
lion. The case Of BOrie against TrOtt,
in which Judge SharSWOOd decided a.
gainst the constitutional power of Con-
gress to make paper money, is also ad
vanced as an argument against his cleo
tiOn-a purely legal decision, which
whether right or wrong, was made sole
ly upon Judge eSharsWOod's s understand
ing of the law.
We submit that this is not the way in
which Pennsylvania should elect her
chief judicial officers. Such a canvass
should be conducted on the highest
ground possible in party rivalry, and
especial care should be taken not to
drag in the dirt the ermine of justice.
The formal decisions of eminent Judges
upon points of law ought not to be
banded about in appeals to popular
passion. The purity and honor of the
Judiciary are more than a party tri-
umph. If the decisions of a court are
to be the subject Of party strife and de-
bated in stump speeches, we may bid
farewell to an independent and fearless
Judiciary. Hold the judge accountable
TO political party for his construction
OF the law, and we inevitably tempt
him to sacrifice his integrity to become
that meaneSt of all creatureS-a sworn
minister of justice, Obedient to the die
tate of politicians. 1t is precisely this
tendency which we fear the Republican
State Committee Of Pennsylvania un-
consciously encourage, ard we would
bid them take warning by the Wretched
and degraded reputation of the judica-
ry of this city, in which the courts have
become the mere tools of political
clubs.
From the Pittsburg Chronicle.
1t is insulting to the intelligence of
CIle people Ol IellllSylNdnld 10 say IndG
in this judicial contest the Democratic
party has secession inscribed on its ban
ner. We warmly support Judge Will
liams in this contest, but we will not
even by silence, lend our Endorsement
to so utterly shameful and unWarranted
a charge as the one above quoted. 1t
is a sign Of bad party decentralization
when such means are adopted to a
chieve success. 1t is utterly wrong
and utterly unnecessary. Such things
recOil against the men who practice
them, and cloud even an honest cause
with suspicion. Whatever may have
been the views Of Judge SharsWood
thirty-three years ago, it is both absurd
and criminal to say that the right of
secession will be an issue in the ap-
preaching election. The Republican
party can go into canvass upon its
own merits and upon actual issues,
without compromising itself by these
shabby devices, and we trust no respec-
table journal in the party will lend
itself to such a style of warfare. 1t is
a veritable Mexican business.