Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1869-04-24
w. A. PETER, ESQ.

Weoverlooked last week the circu-
lar of this gentleman, announcing
himself rs the nominee of the RepIlb-
lcan party for Judge of this Judicial
Circuit, and we refer to 1t now, not for
the purpose of saying anything per-
sonally unkind of its author, but to
enter our protest against the pernic
ious heresies It contains, and to call
the attention of our readers TO The
dangerous doctrines therein pro-
claimed.
All friends of pure and indepen-
dent Judiciary-a correct and incor-
ruptible administration of the law,
must deprecate and deplore the pres
cnce Of political Judges in our temples
Of Justice. Before the war, sucll Ia
thing was unknown in our State US q
party convention to nominate caildi-
dates for Judicial positions.
The trainers of our constitution
wisely provided that political and Ju-
dicial elections should not be held on
the same day lest the muddy waters
of political prejudice and passion
might mingle themselves with the
pure stream of justice, and the smoke
from the barbecue infect the atinos-
phcre of the Bench. 1t never occur
red TO them that a mans qualiica-
lions for Judicial position should be
determined by the relations he might
sustain to a political party, but the
fact must not be lost sight of that
they had not the benefit of Mr.. PEI
fers views and advice in the foIma-
ton of our constitution.
In announcing himself as politi-
cal candidate-in avowing the doc
trine that politics should exercise a
controlling influence i'm Judicial cleo
tions, he seems rather to shrink rom
his own position and to seek to throw
veil over its dcformity. Hence, al
though he says he proposes "to enter
the canvass upon purely political
grounds" yet he does not propoe tc
do 80 on partisan grounds"
Politics he defines to be "the phil
osophy or science of government
and of this rcctified and purified arti
Gle, with sugar in it, he proposes tc
take good many drinks while he /,
running for Judge, and even after ht
gets upon the Bench. He woul no
think of touching anything as vIlga
az party politics, although he is a
great pains TO state that he b. tn,
nominee of party convention, I
member Of the great national Rnpub
lican party, and performed sund y ar
duous and valuable services for Gran
in the Northern States during tn
last Presidential election; in all prob
ability being the chief cause {
Grants election.
His position, If we understand it
and OF this we are by no n ear eel
tain-may be briefly stated thus: II
stands upon political grounds"
titles il the philosophy or science {
government; therefore, althoug
Mr.. PETER is II political candida ye, II
il OF the philosophical and sci, ntifl
stripe.
Ii n candidate for Judge is coupe
led TO he II politician, rs Mr.. Pent
seems 10 think, he certainly de'erv,
credit for selecting the best arti cle.-
Hear him. Judges, in my opinion
should he men trained and educate
in the highest and best school Cf po
tiles" This being so, IL hccom ~ in
portant to know IN what "school
Mr.. PETER was Grained and eluca
ed" During the short period he h,
lived among Us (and he has made
worthy citizen, he has figured in Il
ranks of the only two politica. pa
ties within his reach. We suppos
however he was only tasting The n
ticlcs TO select that of the most sup
rior quality. But we have alwa,
thought Though we bciolg 20 Il
class that Mr.. Peflor damns to etcrn,
dotagel that "A Judge il man wi
ought To bc trained and educated
The TAR, To some extent ~ least. b
wchnvcn't progressed" as Mr., Pei
has, and we may be in error.
We have great horror Of tho
fellows who have progressed. III,
have gone So far and seen 50 niue
that when they look wise AMI Ia
about progression aud the light of
new civilization, they scare Us. v
ARE not able 10 see It, but we knu
there must he some terrible THU
about, or they would not bo ,lwa
talking NJ Il.
listcn To Mr.. Peter when H. tai
"f the great system which hc ,uys
1, scaled To now: ut j." SAYS |
",he child Of progress, aud cNprrien
j. It's great teacher, II looks hac
ward only 10 see how far IL has col
lav,cy sensible child, and Ia pro
10y thv darkness of the waste bchi
lhut it lt b. dark, how can il see h,
tar IL has got@h IL lives upon I
rains OF ivcaycd systems ,u,ust
Kin Ca Gnllard and builds Gr Is
home Where the pure air OF rel
nus, social and political liberty
Zee ao"cs. \ good idea IL ',h
will do 4 good after such hauqu,
ltknow' NO color, race or coudit
tmust bv "a blind Know Nutllng