Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-03-31

Mr.. Johnson, are of vital significance to
the future peace and welfare of the coun-
try. But it seems to me hat they who
say, as many do, that this great trial
will be altogether ignored in the ap-
preaching canvass, discount very largely
that sense of Justice and fair, dealing
which has hitherto been one of the attri-
bntes of the American people. as itimust
ever be of any people who would wor-
thily maintain a free government in this
or any other country asv Z. .5l4 sa-I
f THE SUPREME COURT BILL. aat
1t is related Of an Irishman who was
accused of appropriating something not
legally his own, that when in response
to the most vehement and grief-stricken
protestation of his innocence, the magis-
trats before whom he was about to be
tried assured him that /" justice would be
done him"-the effect of this arrurance
was the reverse of consolatory. 1t in
creased, instead of assuaging his sorrow.
and caused him to give vent to the ad-
ditional burden upon his mind in the
exclamation, &" Och, murther, yer honor,
sure that's what I'm afeer'd Of" lean
not refrain from mentioning this little
ipcident in connection with the passage
of the bill to deny the right of appeal to
the Supreme Court to test the validity
of the reconstruction acts. Whether
Intentionally or not, Congress has, by
that act. placed itself before the coun-
try in condition very much like that of
the unfortunate Hibernian, who took the
promise of impartial justice in the light
of certain and speedy conviction. We
are told that the reconstruction laws are
perfectly and strictly constitutional -
just as the Irishman assured the magis-
trate that he was entirely innocent. But
when it is suggested that justice will un-
doubtedly be done in the Supreme
Court-oh, says Mr.. Trumbull, that's
just what we're afraid of, and thereupon
the right of appeal is denied, just as the
Irishman. had he the power. would un-
doubtedly have repealed the larceny
laws. M -fS g1a6r
Mr.. Stewart, Of Nevada, who was put
forward as the champion of this bill,
gave as one of the reasons why it should
pass, the astonishing and statesmanlike
one of the great press of business al
ready in the Supreme Court-which
only shows that, Lord Mansfeld's ad-
vice to youthful Judge may be followed
to good advantage in the United States
Senate: "Make your decisions, but re-
serve your reasons" The practical eff
feet of this. bill is to abolish the right of
trial by jury in ten States of the Union
Ito make military commissions the SUI
preme law over territory half as large
as continental Europe-to shake down
rights older than Runnymede or Dooms
day book. Did Mr.. Stewart and those who
voted with him yesterday ever hear the
compendiohs definition Of the object
and aim of the British constitution and
government, by one of the greatest
jurists of modern times? If not, it may
not be amiss to remind them that it is in
these words: "To get twelve honest
men in a jury-box." But in the year
1868 the Congress of the United States
deliberately passes law to drive twelve
honest men out of jury box, and re-
place them with twelve soldiers, behind
a-general a order from headquarters, con-
signing this, that, or the other man to
jail for an offense unknown to the law
or the constitution of the land. This,
too, when there has been no war in the
country for three years. il
wADE's OLIvE-BRANCH TO CHASE.
II Notwithstanding Mr.. Wade's we'll
known and often avowed hostility to
Chase, a streak of goodness comes over
the old man once in a while, and he re-
lakes occasionally the yigor of his ami
mostly. An instance occurred few days
ago.. One of that class of people which
was SO large in the days of duelling-
whose business is the divine one Of
peace making, and who are known gen.
orally as .'the friend of both parties
called on Mr.. Wade and suggested that
in order to secure the support of Mr.
Chase's friends in the next campaign he
(Wade) had better, while in the Presi.
Dental chair, appoint the Chief Justice
Minister to England. This, with the as.
surance from the '.friend of both par
ties" that it would heal all wounds, rec
oncile all differences, make every thing
lovely, and elevate the anserine bird or
a lofty pinnacle. Mr.. Wade is described
to me--and / get the story direct from
"the friend of both parties'-as struck
with the newness of the idea, and con
vert at once. "I'll think over it, sale
he. Or is this another id lie?
.fail 'siaf rii MACK.