Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-02-01
[From the Lyndon (Vt.) Unionl
DIsIOyai.

II begins 10 look much as IL the Supreme
Court. which once undertook by the Dred Scott
decision TO arrest the auti-slsyery move ment,
had arrayed itself in Ike manner against the
republican policy Of the North winch would
a. make treason odious,' and give traitors the
back seats. '-BuTliEgtoR Free Press.
We regard the Free Pres as an able, candid
paper, doubtless rejecting the feelings Of the
dominant party in Vermont az correctly as any
paper IN the State. We have no doubt, too,
that il feels perfectly loyal and friendly to the
Government, desiring to see it prosper IN all its
branches. and the people yielding 1t hearty
allegiance. That lie the way il feels. doubt
Less, but would its teachings direct the public
mind in that direction
The Government consists q three branches
executive, legislative and judicial, each, in its
sphere. independent of the others. OF ihtse
branches the most dignifed, and deserving of the
peoples respect and confidence is the judicial
1t is composed Of the most learned men in the
land who are removed from political influence
and, when in the conscientious discharge Of
their duty, are perfectly secure in their high
places from eyery power in their government.
Their position is for life and the most honorable
in the nation. To use a vulgar phrase " they
have no axes to grind no political ends to
serve, and from the nature Of their position
lutlE guest aulDlilOu Detub ne 10 us
charge their duty faithfully and fearlessly. Not
20 with the other branches The President and
Congress are elected but for term. As soon
as they get into their position, figuring for a re-
election is Of the frat consequence. They are
mixed up with the political feeling of the times,
and, having their private purposes to serve, are
less lisbe TO look to the nations good. On this
account, we say, they are less entitled to the |
nations confidence than the judiciary.
The Free Press has already attempted to |
destroy the confidence of the people in the Pres
ldent, and now it turns Its guns against the |
Supreme Court, with a view Of demolishrg ii. |
or the three coordinate branches Of the Govern
ment the Free Pres, now supports one and op- |
poses two. II is consequently one-third loyal |
snd twO-thlrds dsloyal.
We arc conscious Of NJ such ineonsis-
tency between our "leelings' and teach. ngs,
as our Lyndon friend ascribes TO us. We
have endeavored at all times to Inculcate due
respect for dignities, and obedience to the
national authorities and constitution. Our
columns will bear US witness that We have
repeatedly urged that respect to the Presi-
dent in his official capacity as head of the
nation, which he has forfeited as man. So
as to the Supreme Court We fully recognize
its authority as the final legal tribunal, and
bow to Its decisions in the cases before it,
with the same Difference that We should ex-
poet the Union to show were the de.
csions adverse to IFS party principles and
policy. But the Supreme Court is after all
'nly a human tribunal, composed Of nine !
imperfect mortals. 1, lao no power to
bind the conscience Of any man, or make :
wrong right Ii is also'only tribunal to q
ry the leases" brought before it When its !
judges go beyond and outside Of those cases, >
We know of no reason why their o5ifer dicta Il
-anghce " sloprings over ''-shoulo have 7,
nore weight than the opinions ofothcr men Of a
quail wisdom. 1t was this eageIness 20 70 n
utside Of the case, and fix public opinion d
q opposition to the settled purpose q the II
Majority of the naticn in respect to slavery,
'hich aroused such opposition to the bred =,
colt decision, and which, repeated by the
,sJority Of the Court, jasiifies our remark
uoted by the UaiOn. I
Again, it is possible that tie judges are
OF so wholly above political influence end
uman temptation. Us the Union purposes on
othing anyhow is more common than intina ha
Ons in the Democratic papers that Chief ".
ustice Chase is still an aspirant for the I'd
and striyIng to curry popular 10
vor therefor On the other side we see vi
~ broad hints that one of the majority ~
dges has had the promise made to him in Tn
,rson by the President, that bic brother ar
all have an important foreign mission. ue
in very suggestive connection with d.
e recent conversion of the judge to Mr. der
hnson's policy. We endorse no such ir'
argos or intimations bot we do not pro- fa;,
ne to shut our eyes to the fact that the Of
lges are but fallible mortals, and that GER Que
My when the Court is divided, stand Nc, me-,
in the recent eases, five to four, ordinary {
SONS have right to scrutinize the opir. .,
. AMI select with which Of tie judus "A !.
J will agree. err