The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-12-02
The DiShonored Chief Justice.

States Supreme Court has branded
Ludeling, the Radical Chief Justice
of our State, as corrupt man and
downright scoundrel. A gallant and
respected member of the New Or
leans Bar, in consequence of this has
issued the following circular to the
public:
TO THE BAR OF NEW ORLEANS.
AS young member of the bar l
have waited deferentially for others
to speak, upon matter which I con-
slider of vital Importance to the dig
nifty and honor Of our profession. 1
have, however, too great a regard for
the high and noble calling which we
pursue, to abstain from raising aloud
myvoice; however humble it may be,
to preserve it from even the imputa-
tion Of infamy.
We have long been accused of a
moral cowardice, which has made US
submissive to wrong, and deferential
to corruption. We. have been ac-
cused of tamely submitting to judi
cial bullying, and Of keeping silence
upon judicial venality, for fear of
earning the i'll will of the bench
Now has the time come for fair tri-
al upon these charges, and now are
the public afforded an opportunity of
Judging. .;
In the seat once filled by the high
est and most honorable members Of
our profession-the Chief Justice.
ship of this State-sits one who has
been adjudged, by the highest tribu-
nal of the nation, a swindler and de-
frauder. What has long been vague
and painful rumor, is now made ju-,
dicial certainty, and the man whose
escntcheon bears this black and
damnjng stain Of fraud, has, the au-
dacity to yet cling to the judicial err
mine, despite the manner in which he
has sullied its former purity. ~
Not having himself an apprecia-
ton Of that propriety which, under
the circumstances, should dictate his
withdrawal, it becomes our duty to
assert our manhood and vindicate
the honor Of our profession, by driv-
ing him from the bench. !, c.
Our fellow citizens have set a glo-
rious example by striking a Blow and
shedding their blood in the cause of
liberty and freedom. They have
fought and died that oppression and.
corruption might perish. 8.
Shall the bar of Louisiana shrink
from following such a glorious exam
pie? Shall we permit fraud to sit in
the high places Of the temple of jus
tice? Shall we permit the stream to
be defiled at its very source, and in
cowardly manner ignore the mandates.
Of duty and of honor? So q
We have entrusted to our care
grave and heavy pecuniary matters.
The greater part of the community
have in our custody large interests.
In many cases our fellow citizens
have confded to us their all, their
lives as we'll theirproperty. Can we
consider ourselves as rendering JUS
tice to them, if we permit their, caus-
es to depend in large measure upon
the sense Of justice Of one who has
been decreed by the Supreme Court
of the United States devoid of integ-
rity2
Think not, and therefore with due
Difference and respect, suggest to the
bar to assemble in full force in the
Supreme Court room on Monday
coming, the next sitting of that tri-
bunal, and see if this fraud-stained
Judge will have the audacity to con-
front us as presiding officer of that
court; and if he does, then to take
such measures as will vindicate our
honor and do justice to the interests
confided to us. r.
| Very respectfully,
FRANK McGLOIN.
New Orleans, Nov. q, 1874.
1