Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1870-04-23
THE SUPREME BENCH.

THE SUPREME BENCH,
sAscorcspondent of the Leaf sug-
Ecsted, some two weeks ago, that the
three divisions Of the State hold
esslssits own convention end nomi-
nate two candidates for the Supreme
Bench. The suggestion Is good one
and we hope to see 1t acted npon
hut would like 1t still better IL the
conventions could becomposed of the
lawyers Of each division. They are,
of course, the best Judges Of the quail
ifications needed for the high and re-
sponsiblc position Of Judge of the
highest State tribunal. The candi-
dates, thus nominated, we are sure
would receive the cordial support of
thepeople; and the fact of their be-
ing thus nominated, would prevent
that scramble for these Judicial offices
which may follow the action Of any
other sort of convention. 90
But no matter how the conventions
may be constituted, 1t is. important
that they bear in mind the stubborn
and humilinting fact, that Tennessee
Is tyet State, within the mean
Ing Of the old original constitution,
or Federal compact; but has simply
passed from provisional to pro-
vincial government, and, MS such, is
still subject to the will of the central
Radical despotism, at Washington,
1t is therefore important that no man
be put In nomination who Is offensive
to the fourteenth bogus amendment,
or who has not been, nominally,
made free by merciful special edict
of his enlightened and patriotic mas.
tiers who have kindly absorbed the
liberties of the people and appropri'
ated their hard earnings. Though
nominally, State, we must not for
get that Tennessee Is allowed few
privileges, but no rights-that it is 0
State while Radical, .buta province
whenever It attempts to assume the
port and bearing Of freedom.
A puritan preacher once displayed
his liberality and love of justice by
informing his congregation that they
were at perfect liberty to believe wha
they pleased, provided they believed
nothing but what the church sane
toned. phe probable descendants o
that bigot now, virtually, say to Ten
nessee, vote as you please, provided
you vote the Radical ticket. This is
practically, the present condition o
Tennessee--once a State in gloriou
confederation Of independent sover
eighties the foot ball of usurpe,
power and allowed to ego through
the notions" in mockery of the sub
stantial rights to which it is entitled
under the original compact, known
AS the Constitution OF the Unite,
States, but now converted into cove
for the tyranny and licenciousness o
corrupt oligarchy.
But since remedy for these accu
mulated wrongs is not to be found II
hopeless.physical resistance, the onl.
hope we have lies in patient obser
vance Of the edicts of arbitrary pow
er, trusting to possible future re-ac
ton, Mt the North, in favor of politi
cal justice and popular rights
Should this never occur, the sun ha
set forever upon American libert,
and Mexico is the type of our futur
government mongrelzed, torn b,
factions, overrun by robber bands
and wallowing In the grossest cor
ruption and ignorance and crime
Prudence may palliate our condition
and even postpone the impendin,
fate, but the power to avert it rest
not with US. They who sacrafice,
the liberties Of their country on tn
altar OF fanatical hate can alone re
store them. But without wisdom +
guide, or virtue to prompt them, TIL
restoration lisa bare possibility.
Let conventions be called, and le
the nominations show that Tennes
scans possess o manly self-respect un
der q forced submission, and forbear
snce and prudence under unmerite
wrongs and insults. If our right
are to be annihilated, let it be th
..wilful act of tyranny, palliated 10y n
net of ours that can be distorted int,
apreteXt.