The Ottawa free trader., 1873-05-24
LETTER OF JUDGE THORNTON.

OF the seven Judges on our Supreme Bench,
none held higher position or enjoyed the
public confidence to more unlimited extent,
than Judge Thornton Having resigned his
position there, and proposing to return to law
and politics, and being an ardent democrat,
his testimony in behalf of Judge Lawrence,
political opponent, is as graceful as it is
unqualified;
To the Editor Of the Chicago tribune:
SIR: Having resigned the position of Judge
of Supreme Court, to take effect on the 3lst
of May, my connection with the Court has
virtually terminated. 1t cannot therefore be
improper, in view of the excitement now cx-
listing in the Fifth Judicial District to sub
nit few thoughts and facts not in defense
Of the Court, but one of its honored mem
bers | have now no more interest in the
complexion of the Court than any other pri-
vate citizen who desires the law to be admin
istered honestly, intelligently and impartial
| ly; and, realizing rs do the importance Of
an upright and capable judiciary TO the we'll
being of the State the security of personal
rights and the preservation of liberty, regu-
lated by law, I cannot remain silent while
one whose feelings and thoughts have been
so often and so fully spread out before me is
reviled and his judicial character unjustly
assailed.
Soon after had severed my connection
with the Court, and knowing that Judge
Lawrence was a candidate for reelection,
wrote to him, offering to publish over my
own signature communication in behalf OF
his claims to public favor, which, at least
might have tendency to stay the prejudice
gathering against him, and exhibit truly his
capacity and faithfulness in the performance
of his judiciary duties. His reply was charac-
teristic of the man. He wrote that it might be
inferred that he had sought defense at my
hands, and he would rather be defeated than
incur the liability to such IL charge. With
this reply | was not satisfied; and | now
deem it duty to a good man and to the peo-
pie who have been mised by false clamOr, to
make public some facts which could only be
known to those who had been in close con.
ference with Judge Lawrence. Such Il
course may be unusual, but | take it on my
own responsibility, and at my own volition.
PerilOuS times and false charges require un-
usual remedies and knowledge of the truth.
In the repeated conferences of the Court
for the past three years, in the Investigations
of causes involving interests of vasts magni-
tude, and in the establishment of principles
affecting the life and liberties of the citizen,
our discussions have been long and earnest,
and sometimes exciting. Then the collision
of mind with mind developed mental power.
The sympathies were often aroused; abhor
renee for vice, meanness and oppression often
manifested knowledge of law displayed;
and the whole strength of the man displayed.
No circumstance could be better adapted to
unfold the entire character. With such op-
portunities, and having been members almost
OF one household for three years, l have
learned to know Judge Lawrence and appre-
ciate his fitness for the position he has so
ably filed He could not have disguised
himself if he would. My conclusions are
that he is pure and upright man, and scorns
baseness and dishonor. Heisa ripe scholar, a
thorough and discriminating lawyer, and
possesses great powers OF analysis. His SYM
pathies are with the distressed, and his indig-
nation is always against unjust monopoly
and every attempt of the strong to oppress
the weak. He is thoroughly imbued with an
utter detestation of all combinations to crush
one class for the elevation Of another. No
man holds with more even hand the scales OF
Justice, and administers the law as it is writ
ten more cOnscicntiously for the good OF the
whole people.
Persons opposed to his reelection urge
that he is the railroad candidate" and is in
the interest of railroad corporations. A more
groundless SANDER was never uttered. |
know OF what l speak. While know that
he would, as a judge protect these corpora
tions in all their just rights, he may be re-
garded as the pioneer in opposition to their
cxtortlons and their unwisc and impoltic
combinations.
When the case of the Chicago & Alton X.
r. Company was before the Court, during its
recent session at Springfield, he suggested
that it should be Immediately considered and
an opinion written so that, if the decision was
adverse to the validity of the law involved,
the Legislature, then in session, might apply
the remedy, and make the necessary amend
ment. He was earnest In his suggestion,
which was acquiesced in by all members oi
the Court The law was held TO be invalid
by the unanimous Court, as it prohibited any
discrimination under any circumstances, ana
did not gre tie rdillcdy companies tie rgM y
eTpidBdtioa,-a right secured to every offend
er against the law,-and bv, ise the Colsti-
tuition prohibited unjust determinations but
in the particular case presented, the decision
was, in effect, against the railway company.
II was held that the particular discrimination
charged TO have been practised against Lex
ington, where there was no cescrlpuoh' was
unjust, and, in delivering the opinion oi tne
Court. Judge Lawrence, in his desire To settle
the yexed question and to afford some relief
from abuse made suggestions which would
cradle the legislative department to enact a
law in accordance with the Constitution. 1t
is a fact we'll know that this Legislature act
ed upon the suggestion, and, before its ad-
iournmcnt, did pass a law intended to be in
conformity to the opinion of the Court
The former opinions of Judge Lawrence,
as the organ OF the Court, also refute the
SANDER I shall refer to only two opinions,
In which the power and growth of monopoly
are denounced:
In the case of Vincent V. The Chicago &
Alton Railroad Company, 40 Ill. 80, 1t was
held that the Railway Company could not be
allowed 10 use its vast powers, as y corpora
ton. with a view to create practical monop-
DIV for favored home and inaugurste poll