, 1873-04-10
GALEsBuno, H., a7ri1 7, 1873
To the Members Of The Ear qf tue FIh Judicial Dis

GAIEsBuHo, D, a7rii 7, 1873:
70 ,.s; tas Members fs" Ear Of tue f" Jdassa' Dis
GENTLEMEN: have received your communi-
c.ton asking mo to be a candidate for re- cleo
ton in June next to the bench Of the Supreme
Court. + am informed it is signed BY Utmost ev-
cry lawyer in the thirteen counties composing
this Judicial District. For your invitation, aud
tho terms in which it ia expressed, am pro-
foundly grateful Tho highest reward can
hare for the severe labors Of my Judicial life,
the belief that enjoy the unrcserved confidence
and respect Of tho members OF the bar.
Under ordinary circumstances should say no
more than this, and either accept or decline your
invitation. But in the present condition Of the
public mind with regard to this election, it is
proper should add something further.
You have all had your attention more or less
to the striking movement among the farmers Of
the State for the purpose Of resisting the exist
ing methods Of railway management. Soon after
Supreme Court wns announced in the case ..
eago eas nI1t 4 Mton Railroad Company: Some
OF tho lenders OF this movement,
probably without having carefully read the opin-
nstc MIS- L, to e the interests Of the farmers though
believe no man, certainly no lawyer, has ever had
the hardihood to say that it did not correctly
nounce the law. I observe by the newspapers
that ut several OF the farmers conventions
which have been QElQ, Lle COuIt Aa5 UoeA Ae~
nounced by some Of the speakers, and at one OF
these meetings resolution was adopted IN favor
of calling convention fer the purpose Of nomi-
mating candidate for the office now hold by me.
The object Of such q convention, II it aha4 be
held, win probably be to select candidate,
who il elected. would be expected to take his
seat upon the bench as the pledged aSent OF that
class Of the people to whom he would owe his
nomination and election, and for the purpose OF
doing all IN his power to secure such decisions
IS they might desire:
Now, nv own reelection to the bench is to me,
personally, matter Of very little moment. The
labor is very great, and the sense Of responsible
ity sometimes very painful. But however indif-
ferent might be on meraly personal grounds,
OF however unwilling to enter into an unoecom-
ing contest for this high Office, have no choice
but to accept your call.
For the first time in this State, since the
iudiciary was made elective, the propoaltlon Is
publicly advocated that particular class OF
society should elect Judge, not Tor bis proies-
sionnl ettainments or personal integrity, DUE 70
bring about the decision Of particular questions
in particular way. Every thinking man, nos
blinded by the pasainn Of the hour, must sec that
this principle, It it eha11 ever become the &C.
cepted rule Of judicial elections, Win utterly
destroy our judicial system, and with It an
security for civil rights. I do not believe the
farmers Of this Btato, in any oons1der-
able number. are prepared to inaugurate
q principle 80 destructive. ] cannot but
regard the attempt to inaugu1nte 1t 80
tho scheme Of only q few honest but over
jealous men, who, forgetful OF the character Of
this election, and Of the nature Of judicial
duties, seek. in their enthusiasm. to aTaal them-