Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-03-18
DAVID DAVIS.
The stury Of His Lifs-RIs Political His
tory-Hls csndHct Upon the Bench
HIs Personal Habits.
His Deolsion 10 ths MlIligan Gase-he
ksiutalss the Civil Authority as
Against Military UsuFpaiIsH.

pOEaIN luhCAaOh "a eo
marty. or, as IT is termed by another
its adumbration, il Is true that an
eclipse is never enduring. The sun
shines as brightly after as before its
indestructible brillisney was impaired
by intervening clouds. While true
theories Of American government are
accepted and honest patriotism shapes
popular action, the Democratic party
can never die. Other questions may
arise, involving no fundamental prin-
ciple Of partisan or political faith, i'm
peratively demanding immediate So
luton, but when these are determined
original fundamental principles Of pO-
HicaI faith viii again come before the
people, and they who deem States in
destructible, and prefer popular and
local to centralized systems, viii be
gathered beneath the folds Of that
banner on which are inscribed the
creed of the fathers Of our party. Hav-
ing this sublime faith in the durabil-
ity of principles on which our faith Is
founded. we are the less unwilling,
because the exigencies Of the hour de-
mand il, to pretermit the discussion Of
an undying creed in behalf of prac-
tical questions, involving not only the
extinction OF Democratic principles,
as applied to American States, but the
absolute transformation Of the govern
mentitself. Therefore, the APPEALS
assent TO the nomination Of David
Davis. He was never a Demo-
crat; but not the less, like Clay
and Webster, a true patriot,
Illustrating in every act Of public and
private life unswerving devotion to
American republicanism.
PERSONAL FACTS.
David Davis is a Marylander by
birth, and for many years past citi-
zen of Illinois. Since the dismember-
ment Of the Wing party, Of which he
WIS a staunch adherant, we are told by
one who has been his life long friend,
s'that he has voted, when ne voted at
all. with the Republicans, not that he
entertained the views Of the Radical
or Abolition element of the party, but
for the resson that he hoped to be
more useful to his State and country
by setting with the dominant party
than by carrying himself squsrely in
opposition. This fact is proven by
his course since the commencement Of
the unfortunate troubles between the |
the two antagonistic sections Of
country"
HIS POLITICAL FAITH.
is best illustrated by his judicial deci-
sions involving political questions.
He was never known to approve any
one Of countless measures Of wrongful
or uneonstitutioBal legislation which
now burden Federal and State codes.
Although he was q warm personal
friend of Mr.. Lincoln, and received
the appointment to the Office which
he now holds, from him, yet he never
at any time, in his eonver-
sation with friends to disapprove his
course when he believed him in error.
1t Is true that he was not a politician,
but since upon the bench as a Judge,
he never expressed himself publicly,
bat his friends always knew his posi-
tion on all questions, while his deci-
sions as Judge show eonclusively that
he was not the tool of any political
party.
BIS HABITS.
While he has doubtless made money
py his profession and from his salary
as Judge, he has all the time been a
most successful farmer, and is 70 day
an oId-fashioned cattle feeder, on q
large scale. Were you to meet him
ON the streets Of Bloomington, at some
time when he is ct home, from the
plainneSs of his apparel and MS Old
fashioned gentlsmanly courtesy, one /
would imagine that ia the majestic
form OF the profound thinker and
iurist he beheld one OF the great faith
ers Of American constitutional law, a
Marshall or Madison, or Henry, the
simplicity Of whose manners was only
comparable to that OF their lucid
modes of thinking. he has always
been one Of the people,
1.ABoRIoUs, ECONOMICAL, THOUGHT
FUL, SOBER MAN,
the right man 10 the right place, and
so he will be found, place him any
where. The time for party Organiza-
nor and the discussion of party meas
ures and principles has gone by. The
dav Is st hand when the people, the
entire people, Irrespective Of party,
should rise IN their majesty and
Douer. and eOelc ce the ofhee-hOlders
and thieves of the country and gov
eminent to hide themselves In the
caves and dens Of the earth. They
have so dsmOralized the whole eoun-
try, so distorted and disfgured our
law, that il is no longer
Recognized as the basis Of q govern
ment which grew more rapidly in
power and prosperity than any other
II the history OF the world.
TIE SUPREME COURT BENCH.
Jedge Davis was appointed 70 the
supreme court bench by President
Lincoln in December, 1872. As the
suDreme court was then organized
1--WE Of tue ten judges had been ap.
pointed by President Lincoln, two
Wayne and CatrOn) by President
jackson, one { Nelson by President
Tyler, one (GrieT) by President Polk,
and one Clifford } by President Blu
II political predictions, as
parties were then divined, can be
spOken of in this connection, the
court was equally divided between
five Democrats and five Republicans.
The death Of CatrOn, May 80, 1865; Of
Wayne, July 8, 1857; and the resigna-
tiOn OF GFier, December Is, 1850, made,
at these respective dates, other vacan-
eles which were filed by the appoint
ment Of Strong, February Is, 1870,
and Of Bradley, March, 1870. During
most OF the first part OF the Judicial
lIfs or Judge Davis the bench consist
ed of nine judges, i've Republicans,
including himself, appointed by Lin
coin, end four appointed by Demo
cratic Presidents. During the last two
wears fihe bench has consisted OF nine
Iudges. tive (Nelson and Cllhord) ap-
noi1ted under Democratic administra-
Hons. and seven under Republican
Administrations; fSe commissioned
by lincoln and two by Grant.
JUDICIAL OPINIONS OF DAVID DAVIS.
The reported cases argued aSd sd-
Judged during the time Of Judge ~
Wis are in the last volume OF Blacks \
reports. and ia the eleven volumes Of
he succeeding reports Of Wallace. In
looking through these volumes we
find thst during this period eighty
eiQhtof the opinions Of the court have
been delivered by Judge Davis, and
that In nineteen other cases he has
dissented from the views OF the ma
ic-itxy rrhr, dafornafne what the doci-