The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1869-05-21
Athens Cost.
Athens. Friday. Muy ~. isJS.
The Judicial Elections.

appears to be very'littlc saying on the
subject among the people, and the
chances arc that but small vote will
be pollcd. We believe there are five
candidates in the field for the offices of
Supreme Judgc--two in Middle Ten
ncsscc, one in the Western District. and
two in the Eastern Division. OF these,
the Hon. Thos. \. II. Nelson. of Knox
vile, is the most prominent. rs he is
universally admitted to be the best
qualified. He is a native of East Ten
ncssce. born and reared upon its soil;
has no superior ~ n lawyer and iurist
In the State: is an able, honest man,
whose election would honor the posi-
ton and give the people an assurance
of wise and upright Interpretation
and an impartial administration Of the
law. 1t has been our misfortune to diff
fer widely with Mr.. Nelson upon most
of the questions which have agitatcd
the country during the present decade
but he is not Il candidate for political
office, and no partisan feeling should b.
allowed to cntcra contest of a strictly ju-
dicial character. For this and the con-
trolling reason that he is decidedly the
best qualified In all respects, we should
be pleased to sec him elected.
Other things being equal, we certain
~ should not make it n special obicc-
ton to Mr.. Nelson's competitor that the
latter was born in another State: that
until some three or four years ago he
was citizen of and had his home in
Michigan. We don't deal seriously in
that kind of argument. and we have our
own opinion OF people who do. We
don't think "a man ought to be ostraciscd
and repudiated simply and purely be-
cause he happened, without perhaps any
procurement or agency on his part, to
FIRST see the light of heaven streaming
down from Northern sky. Not at all.
But we do think it argues an unwar-
rantable and intolerable degree of az
rogance and presumption in any one to
seek to thrust himself upon the people
among whom lie has just made his APP
pearance, aud Insist that they shall ac-
cept him with all his i,npertections and
at once place him in the highest and
most responsible judicial position in
the State--a position to which in Tor.
mcr times no man venturcd to ASPIRE
until after years of study and effort.
when he had reached the front rank Of
his profession and secured iu the largest
degree the confidence and respect Of his
fellow -citizeuS. While we are free and
anxious to admit that there are houest
and Wc!l-meaning men occupying seats
i'll our Court Houses. it would be idle TO |
disguise the fact that the Judiciary of
the State has been badly dwarfcd within
the last few years. and that the people !
have not the same confidence in its
capacity and Representatives. they
once had. A capable, honest, firm and /
independent Judiciary is the last hope
and refuge Of the citizen, whether he I
tread the humber or higher walks of
life. 1t is the fearless and vigilant Sou (
tinel which the common veal has erect.
ed to keep watch and ward over the I
safety, the lives and property, of all /
alike, the poor and weak AS well as the ,
rich and strong; and when incompc-
tent, subservient and venal men eau, bv ,
means Of partisan bias and party appli-
anccs. obtain 10 such positions over
well-carned merit and superior qualif-
cation. it shows L deplorable condition /
OF popular sentiment and argues the !
very worst results to society.
As evidence of the acknowledged fit ,
ness and capacity of Mr.. Nelson for Su.
preme Judge, it is sufficient to remark
that the announcement Of his name has
been favorably received throughout the
State by men of all classes and condi.
tions; and particularly SO in East Tell
nesscc, where the people more intimate.
ly know him. So far as we have OBJ
served. the press Of the State. with per-
haps single exception and that too OBJ
scurc and insignificant to attract atten-
ton, has spoken of him in respectful
aud commcndatory language. They all
regard him as gentleman of superior
attainments and qualifications, and of
irreproachable character. Ina word, Il
man who would adorn the position and
bring to the discharge Of its responsible
duties the highest order Of ability.
The election will occur OIL next Thurs
day, the 9th instant.
The Radical Convention.
The Radical Convention to nominate
q candidate for Governor met at Nash
VILE on the 20th-Thursday. We have
no information of the action oft body
up to the hour of going to press. The
probabilities, however, are all in favor
of Col. Stokes.