The national Republican., 1869-02-19
Renanafrucfian.


The following letter meets with the ap-
provsl Of many leading Republicans both in
md opt Of Congress. The writer Is well
known In this and ip, ,his native State. The
l>tsef filirpesk foritsslf, &NEh
h ssn., b. v. sorrs, iHi',si1 HS: fsy;rs !; as g.
Ja& b. Bees SD Congnitt>c n ~ Rseds-
.s.s.'0" 49,. >osm0''''", Hon" Y w"ssss
GENTLEMEN. Long and severe indlsposi.
tlou prevented me from expressing to the
Reconstruction Committee In person the
opinion l propose now In this form TO indi-
| catej that, amer the maturest rejection, lam
convinced II is sound policy In every respect
to grant general release from disability to
the appeal and circuit judges Of Virginia.
i has been my fortune 10 have served for
quite quarter Of century In the Leglsla-
ture OF my State, and during this protracted
service 10 have been brought Into intercourse
and personal Acquaintance with most Of the
prominent mon OF the State In all professions
and departments. And from this extensive
knowledge Of her prominent citizens, am
prepared 70 state, most confidently, that her
bench has never been filed with purer aud
ADLER men. rr. r.4- --.f .r... 80. 10.
In my time, most certainly, virginia has
never had superior judiciary. The Judges
Of her high Court Of Appeals and Of her Cir.
cult Courts nre, without exception, not only
gentlemen Of spotiess purity Of character,
but jurists OF eminent ability and learning.
To match them even with the widest range
Of selection would be most difficult, II not
impractlcable task, From the same knowl
edge am prepared further TO state that to
flll the places OF these judges with compe-
tent incumbeuts Of Virginia nativity or resi-
dence who can take the required oath-ths
iron-clad, as 1t Is usually termed-is mat
ter Of impossibility. ! know Of but one cir
cult that can furnish qualified circuit
judge who can subscribe to the oath, and In
that case the party is greatly inferior TO the
present incumbent, besides being over 7C
years Of age.
And l am further ready to state, and with
the most undoubting assurance. that tht
present judges Of the State are even pccu
llarly acceptable TO her people, and enjoy
their confidence In a pre-eminent degree.
Il Is because they have worn the judlcla
ormino with spotless integrity, and faithfully
and fearlessly administered the laws to al
classcs Of citizens, "without fear, favor OF
affection"
I most defercntially submit whether such
relations OF confidence aud such bonds of In
terest between our people and her judiciary
should be severed unless for reasons irrcsisti.
bly, potent.
We all know that an upright and able ju.
dietary is the chief reliance Of every people
for the protection Of life, liberty, property
and reputatlon-the main bulwark Of all the
personal rights Of the citizen.
Should this great reliance be impaired,
this grand bulwark be weakened In Virginia
by putting at risk q judiciary able, upright
and tried, and that Is scarcely to be equalled
much less surpassed
II Is a fixed sentiment In Virginia-a sor
Of common law-that judges shall not &c
lively participate in polltics-that the Judi
cial ermine shall not be stained by the con
taminatlons Of party politics. No judge II
Virginia dare infringe this holy requirement
Of universal public sentiment and feeling.
In political point Of view, therefore, n,
damage can result to the countrS or to an,
party from granting amnesty to her judges
But the point l desire most earnestly 4
press Is, that the proposed release will hav
the happlest effect In soothing the spirits
quletlng the apprehensions, and exciting tn
! hopes Of her people, and thus inclInln
, them to full, practical reconstruction.
They will recognize in this release grea
practical boon, and constituting 1t into hal
: blnger Of other kindness to come, will lear
the more to respect the source Of the benef
| cence, and come the sooner to the conclusio
: that after all the Republican party is not s
= hard task-master as some have supposed
/ cannot mistake when l declare that th
striking OF the manaeles from of the Judge
OF Virginia will diffuse unfeigned joy anon
, her people, and will usher In the dawn OF a
era ofgood-feeling which will beam and bear
on, until Its radiance shall have envelope
her whole domain, and lighted up her path
way to reconstruction and reunion.
No one movement could so strengthen tn
Republican party In Virginia.
I have the honor to be, very respectful
your obedient servant, Jos. SE0AR.