The Ottawa free trader., 1873-05-24
SuELBYvILLE, May IA, 1873.
LETTER OF EX-GOv. PALMER.

The farmers of Illinois have no trucr or
railroad injustice than Ex-Gov Palmer. In
his first message as Governor to the legisla
ture he took the high ground that railroads
were rs much public highways as turnpikes
or ferries, ard as completely under Legislative
control In fact most Of the legal ground
now relied upon by the farmers against the
railroads is his thunder" The letter here
given was addressed to the Hon. J. II. Bryant
of Princeton, who, however, had not the man
liness to read it to the Princeton convention,
and it was furnished for publication by Gov.
Palmer himself:
SPRINGFIELD April 8, 1878.
Hon. John H. Bryant, Princeton, III.
My DEAR SIR:-While investigating
question to-day my attention was accidentally
attracted to the case of the Chicago " N. W;
Railroad Company VS.. The People, reported
in the seth volume Illinois reports, and to
the opinion of the court prepared by Chief,
Justice Lawrence, and upon reading the 0pin-
ion, was satisfied it affords better answer to
the question you asked me yesterday after
noon than what l can answer in any other
way.
The opinion is exceedingly instructive, and
its expressions indicate spirit in the Judge
that | believe you will approve
| am familiar with the habits of thought OF
Judge Lawrence, and understand the DRIFT OF
his political and legal opinions, or perhaps
ought to say politico legal opinions, and 1t IS
my deliberate judgment that the friends OF
real railroad reform can find no man in the
State more reliable OF useful. lie Is honest
and firm, and would not fiatter Neptune for
his Trident He is not the slave of mere pre-
ccdent, but has a lawyers veneration for THE
ancient ways" and understands, as well as
any Judge in the State ever did, the admiraDie
fexbility of the principles of our laws, OF
which it can be said, with near approach to
absolute truth, they have no wrong without
remedy. Respectfully,
JOHN NJ. PALMER.
The followin letter, addressed by leading
citizen OF Galesburg to Col. f. ID. Taylor, oil
this county, though not written for pubilca'
ton. is handed us for insertion;
GALEsBURG, May 10, 1915.
Col. f. ID. TAYLoR-Dedr Sfr: Knowing
you to he in sympathy with us on lhe iinloI-
tant issue now pending in this district reIat-
ing 10 Supreme Judge, l herewith submit ioI
your consideration the following which you
will be at liberty to use as you may thlhh
best. am aware of the fact that in APP
preaching you must think properly ana con,
fine my ideas and expressions Wl.hlh lhe
bounds of discretion. 1t is a pity that men
are 30 easily warped in mind as to render it
necessary for thoughtful men to enter INTO the
strife incident TO n contest between parties.
We must have judges, and it is strange that
the people, who are interested in elevating the
right sort of men to the high position OF SUI
preme Judge, should not comprehend the
Subject and act accordingly. Prejudice
partisan zeal-or indifference to duty, act as
a motive power to too many unthinking sub
iects-the consequences Of thoughtless or
nreiudiced action is cften too little dwelt up
on. Change is called for by some without es-
tablishing good reasons therefor, and in
emergencies like the present, such men as you
are must be called into requisition as aids in
the good cause.
Truth and falsehood, right and wrong, have
in every age of the world antagonized each
other, and divided the opinions of men,
which, in numerous instances, eliminated in
furious warfare in which many blind lead