Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1871-11-11
tReported by A. N. BRIoE, Esq.1
Court Proceedings.
SUSBuRr, Nov. q, is

Court House was crowded with people, aud q
goodly attendance Of the bar was on hand. The
Hon. A. Jordan's charge was made to the Grand
Jury, and is as follows. It was received with
marked attention and feeling. In itself, 1t Is
eloquent and elegant. The Judge retlrcs with
dignity and respect. lie Is loved by all, and by
none more than by the members of the bar, who
have long been treated with kindness and Impair
tialty and especially is his kindness of heart to
the younger members of the bar highly approcia-
ted. The presentation of O solid silver tea Set
will take place at his Honor's residence early
next week meeting of the attorneys this week
will decide the programme. The charge of
Judge Jordan's is as follows -
GENTLEMEN -
Half century of my life has been spent at
the bar and on the bench. For the last twenty
years have held the honorable and important
position of President Judge of the eighth judicial
District, an office conferred on me first, by the
people OF the counties of Centre, Clinton, Lycom-
| ing and Northumberland--these counties then
| comprising the eighth dstiict, and afterward
when the district was changed by legislation by
the people of Lycoming, Montour and Northum-
berland. My term Of Office, as you know, will
| expire on the first day of next month, and this
lie the last opportunity will have of publicly ex-
pressing my gratitude o the people of the coou-
ty, for their support and uniform kindness. They
will be gratefully rememberedby me during the few
years may be permitted to live, and hope my sue
cessor will enjoy rs large n share of their kind.
ness rs have. My labors have been rendered
more pleasant by the will ngness of the people
to bear with my frailtes, an by the gentleman
ly, kind and courteous conduct of the members
of the bar, not only of The county but of the dis
trict, as 1t was, and is now. In my retirement,
their kindness, their readiness at ali times to
promote my comfort aud consult my convenience
will be among the pleasant recollcctions of the
past, and solacc me us pass on to the end ofmy
earthly pilgrimage. To merit and secure the
confidence of my fellow citizens has been one of
the objects Of my ambition if have succeeded,
l am thankful Without enjoying the confidence
and esteem of my fellow citizens, whatever else
might possess, life would be deprived of one of
its principal ingredients of happiness. In en-
deavoring to secure their confidence and esteem
have not forgotten that there are higher and
hoier aspirations which should influence me-
While sat in Judgment upon my fellow men
did not forget that was to be judged.
Every member of this bar is my junior in years,
and in the length of time they have practiccd
law. Some of them have known from early
childhood, some of them read law in my Office
and under my direction, and 1t is great plea
sure to me that they occupy honorable positions
at the bar, and that one of them has been chosen
by the people of the district rs NY successor If
he wishes to make the position Pleasant one,
faithful administration of the Ia MS, holding the
scales of justice with an impartial and steady
hand, and kindness to the members of the bar,
es pccially to the younger members, viii greatly
contribute to make itso Young men whca they en-
ter;on the practice the law need encouragement
from the couIt If this be withheld, AMI they are
treated with harshncss, years are sometimes ne
ccssary to enable them to overcome this treat
ment.
Before the adoption of the present Constitution
in eighteen hundred and thirty.cight, Judges were
appointed by the Governor, and were commits
stoned for life, If they so long behaved well. The
genius of our government seemed to he opposed
to this system the people desired change, and
II was made. Whether the change was judi
cious one, 1t is not now necessary and proper to
inquire. In this country and in this State, The
people the sovereigns Officers are but their
mass, they could not.
Whatever of good may or has resulted from
the election of Judges, Clerks of the Courts,
Registers and Recorders, &C., the frequency of
elections docs not tend to improve the morals of
the people. \ highly excited state of party feel
ing is kept up, causing unpleasant discussions
and bitter dcnunciations, alienation of friends,
and the destruction of friendly and social inter-
course. Measures are often resorted TO by can
didatcs for office, to secure their election, thrt
| are dishonorabe, injurious and dlsgraceful
Character is unjustly assailed, and the tongue Of
the slanderer Is busy in sullying the reputation
of men, who before were esteemed as amongst
the purest and the best. Too great care cannot
be taken In the selection of men to I'LL the Var-
ous high and important offices under the Const-
tuition and laws of the United States and the
several States In the Union especially is this
true as respects the Judiciary. A corrupt Court
| is most dang erous tribunal. IL we have not
felt it, England has. In u competent, faithful
and upright Court, and a Jury composed of
twelve men selected for their fitness and Impair
TALLY, who cannot be induced by political, re-
ligious any other consideration to violate the
solemn obligations of their oaths, there is safety
aud protection to life, liberty, property and repu.
| talion.
The welfare of the community, In a good de-
gree, depends on the Intelligence aud Integrity of
the Court-on the correct Interpretation of the
laws, aud their faithful administration. The
law Is not system of oppression, but one found
ed ON the soundest reason adapted to the wants
and necessities of man, aud without which
peace and order could not be preserved, aud life,
aud property, aud character could not be pro-
tected. The Law, rs We have Il aud administer
/ H., has received the sanction of many of the
! greatest men that ever lived men of the pro.
foundest knowledge, towering Intellect, aud en-
! larged, correct aud exalted views,
The country Is hlled with yIolenee-wllh men
ready and willing 10 perpotrate crimes OF the
deepest dye,-meu who are too lazy 10 work, but
wicked enough TO shed innocent blood, are build,
ings aul rob, to obtain money, Most OF the ares
by which cities aud towns have been destroyed
men reduced nom wealth 10 poyery-misery,
want, and suffering In various lorms eutailed on
thousands of innocent meu, women aud children,
aud causing the death OF many hundtcds, were
probably the work OF thesv wicked men, OF,
/ fundeTs against tho laws should be prosecuted