Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-01-19

From the Nashville (Tenn.) Tribunsl
WASHINGTON, January 9. ISL
When BTutus found that his sons had
nothing TO offer In eXtenuatiOn Of
their crime, he pointed without fear
and trembling to the rods and the
ak With Roman courage and pa
triOtism the war worn General Stoke
has declined TO use "kind Offices"
even though his beloved brother urges
him to have the disa bilities OF q man,
who is assured by tour ablest jurists
that am not Of the Glass; although
he would prefer not to litig8te the
question. General Stokes would like
very much 70 accommodate his
brother, bat he has had some expert
ence in having the disabilities OF am
bilious and unrepentant rebels re-
moved. His generosity once ran
away with his better judgment in
this regard, but he now rises above
personal considerations and the strong
ties Of C0nsanguiuity. The following
communications viii explain the mat
rer. and gTatify all true friends Of law
and order in the State. SIGMA.
JUDGE sNEED's LETTER.
NASHVILLE, November 80, $50
Hon. Jordan StOkes-Wg Dear Sir: A {
the adjournment of the last session Of
Congress a bill was pending in the
House to relieve me from any civil or
political disabilities imposed by the
third section Of the fourteenth amend
ment of the Constitution. The bill
in the Senate, its passage
was recommended by the Senate com
miJtee, and my information is that It
had passed the Senate and was pend /
ing in the House at the time OF its
In the expectation that
this bill would have become a law at |
the last session, / became a candidate
for the Office Of Supreme Judge Of this
State, 10 which office 1 was elected by /
the people in August last. had been
assured by some leading men in Con- /
gress, who were my personal friends, /
that my seeking the office under the cir |
cumstances could not and would not be /
construed into any exhibition oil
of the national authority. /
and could not retard OF prevent the /
ultimate passage of the bill. After /
my election, in view of the fact that /
there had as yet been no final action
on the bill, I had thought it proper /
and prudent not to assume the duties .
Of the Office 10 which I had been !
elected until Congress should take 1
some favorable action upon my bill; /
but the lawyers and people were
urging a speedy organization of the
court, and upon conference with the /
Judges elect, 10 was thought that, Uu-
der rhp urrv5S5guS of the State p0uzrf- /
tuition, there could be no legal court
unless gN the judges should receive
their commissions aud be qualified.
Having thsairernative thus presented /
of throwing our whole Judicial system
into chaos, or Of preventing that re-
suit by my entering upon the duties
Of the Office, 1 chose the latter course.
under the confident assurance that
Congress would pass my bill very
early IN the coming session.
With these explanations l write 10
invoke your kind Offices in assisting
me through your friends ia Congress
u having some favorable action by
Congress in the matter. Although /
nave the opinion of many of our
.blest iurists that I am not OF the class
Intended to be prescribed by the pro
visions of the Fourteenth Amend
uenL yet i 10 not wish to litig8te
uch a question with the Government,
md I am averSe TO occupying posi-
ion where 1 might be suspected Of
"a spirit of defiance or even /
70 the DatiOual authority.
Very truly, yours,
JOHN l.. IT. SNEED.