, 1873-04-29
JUDGES Of THE SUPREME COURT.
BELIEv1LLE, H., April &C, 167:


BE11EvuLE, H., April &c, 1878.
70 the Editor qf The Chicago Tribune:
SIR: As Ell old citizen Of the State, and never
an intense partisan, feel q deep interest in the
election Of Judges Of our Supreme Court in two
Of the Grand Divisions, next June. The Judges
elected will not be for those Divisions only, but
for the whole State; and hence oil citizens OF
the State naturally and properly feel anxious
tia. competent, upright, Industrious, judicious,
sound, and hrm mon should be elected. -.
The Judiciary is the arsenal OF popular rights
and liberties; and the Supreme Court is general
ly the last resort for redress OF wrongs and the
preservation Of rights. The waves of temporary
excitement, prejudice, and assion should not
control the courts. Their decision should bo
made after a full survey OF question on all
sides, mature deliberation, and on solid grounds
that will stand the test Of years, it not OF ages.
The history Of England, from which VIC derive
many Of our fundamental principles OF law, shows
that the courts have been tho bost guardians OF
the liberties and rights OF tho people Constl-
Of the people, and must be regarded as the ma
ture opinions Of the people. It il not the prov
ince Of the courts to make or amend constitu-
tions or lnws, but to exponnd and enforce them
in good faith, as the best evidence Of the will OF
the people. Judges are sworn so to do; and, il
the7 make pledges in advance how thny will de-
eide cases to come before them, parties will not
have fair hearing, and might as well submit all
Judicial questions to popular vote, to be decided
at one election one way, and reversed at the
next.
In Republic, temporary spasms Of popular
complaints are unavoidable. They are not with
out cause, and are founded always on some real
OF apparent grievances. .., .....
fortunately, under our wise system Of govern
ment for almost all real grievances remedy
can be devised for their amelioration or romoVal
without revolution or lawlessness. We must
! have faith and patience. Violence OF action and
language usually injures good cause, and de-
| laws the desired relief. Solid roasons aro more
efficient than incorporate denunciations:
i" Thrice is he armed who hath his quarrel just. !"
| 4" Truth is mighty, and will prevail
| In common with many others, I have dep1ored
the mercilesa attacks upon our Supreme Court
are not political gladiators. They have not time,
il they had the disposition, to engage in news
paper controversies with shallo" reformers, Pc
dantio sophists, and political demagogues- BY
natures, like Judge Thornton, may be driven
from the Bench, and impudent and superficial
fellows. - great in promises and weak
in performances" may supply their places. II
constitutions or laws are wrong, they can be
amended in . lawful manner. It Is criminal
and fraudulent for courts to make or evade
them. Courts must expound and enforce them
as they are, and not as the Judges think they
ought to be-. II judges should usurp such
power to make laws, what security has any one
Tor life, liberty, or property2 It would deprive
the people Of all the constitutional checks upon
each department Of the Government. It would
be revolution, by which the arbitrary edicts Of
courts would be law, and not the will Of tho peo-
pie, IS manifested in their constitutions and
laws. -.
=. Since the Constitution Of 1870, our Supreme
Court has shown, BY its decisions, q disposition
to protect the people as far as possible against
unjust determinations and extortiona Of railroad
corporations and it only remains for the i'm
mediate representatives. Of tho people in the
Legislature to enact such reasonable and con-
stitutional laws is will and can be enforced with
effect. That Court has clearly indicated how it
can be done-
hodeciaions Of Chief Justice Lawrence have
: been remarkable for their candor, c1earness,
force, and soIdity. They commend themselves
to the Conscience and understanding of all who
read them with attention, and are credit to the
great State Of Illinois,. No man can well supply
bis place. and it would bring an elective judiciary
into diErepute, and disgrace the State, II he
ahould not be re-elected. AS one having more
confidence in the sober judgment OF tho mass Of
voters than In any one man and Senate, sin
cerly hope the State may not be deprived Of his
Invaluable services.
In another Grand Division, John schotield is q
candidate. have known him for years as
member Of the Bar, OF the Legislature, and of
always found him to be an honest thoughtful,
and able lawyer: and statesman. Cool, dispas-
eionate, logical, with strong reasoning powers,
he has pro-eminently judicial mind.
No Establishments OF seductions OF wealth would
be likely to indnce him to give corporations any
fee the right OF the common people, from whom
he sprung, and with whom arc his sympathies.
: These gentlemen are not Of the same party,
and hence write from no partisan bias.