The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-06
PUBLIC OPINION IN REGARD TO WILLIAMS.
Remarkable Statement In q Republican
Print.
From the New York Evening Post (republlcan-.
william Cullen Bryant Jan. s..

=
from the New York Evening Post republican,.
William Cullen Bryant Jan. s..
A UNANIMOUS OPINION.
II the members OF the United States Senate who
have recently made flying visit to their homes
were at the pains to inquire into public opinion,
they must have found singular unanimity on one
subject. They must have found that almost with
out exception men OF all parties and all varieties
OF opinion on other subjects agree in deprecating
the appointment OF Mr.. Williams to the place OF
Chief Justice. Certainly, so far the newspapers
represent the sentiment Of the community, we
have never known more general concurrence.
The republican journals coincide with the demo-
cratic, while the more independent only re-echo
the expressions OF their partisan contemporaries.
In this city, for example, the Times advertises
itself as the only republican newspaper; but the
Times few days ago recommended earnestly that
this nomination should be withdrawn Harper's
Weekly, which has been distinguished for the zeal
and ability with which it has supported the admin
istration, condemns the nomination in uneauivocal
terms. unworthy of the nation and discreditaDle
to the party. Those great religious weeklies, the
Independent and the Christian Union which during
the and since, in the several Presidential cleo
tons, nave rendered q service to republicansm
which 1t is not easy overestimate, speak In the
same emphatic manner. We do not quote their
language, because 1t has already reached our
readers and thousands of others in every part of
the country.
The ground Of the opposition to Mr. Williams is
not contained In what are popularity called the
.'charges" against HIM, which whether true or
false do not touch the real issue in the case.
Whether he was engaged. as 1t Is alleged, In
shameless political intrigues in Oregon, or whether
carriage for the needs Of his family, are not the
points in question. Surprising these allegations to
be true they OF course constitute fatal objection
highest
judicial position IN the land. But supposing them
not to o. true their untruth would not De reason
feels in regard to Mr.. Williams is his professional
unftness LOT the post to which he is named. He
qualified to Judge him, as q fourth or nth rate
lawyer. he has had but little experience in the
Attorney General proves, conversant with the
questions that are likely to come up before the Su-
preme Court--the august tribunal OF last resort.
Now, that tribunal requires TO be fortified with
all the strength Of talent and character that be
given to it. or late years 1t has not grown in public
legal tender decision disturbed the confidence of
the public In ITS Judgment, If not in its integrity.
We have almost ceased to consider it as the solemn
areopagus OF the nation, IN which the profoundest
wisdom and learning sit enthrOned by the side OF
the puress patriotism and virtue But the trust 1t
has lost might easily be recovered and restored by
good selection Tor the Chief Justceship. Put
man OF elevated character, OF known emlnence in
. man, in the Office and the temporary cloud that
has fallen upon the Court will quickly pass away.
III IL no ulSTeSpeCJ 10 t0e fTeSluenU Oh Tile part
OF the Senate to express a disappr0vai Of his
choice. They as well as he responsible for the
result. They are purpOsely made part OF the APP
pointing power, that IN matter OF such vast mo-
ment as this no mistakes may be committed.
Their duty, indeed, to the President, as well as
the country, demands the most conscientious and
independent consideration OF the subject. 1t
would be an almost irretrievabe error to place an
inferior or incompetent person for his LIFETIME
which may be for the next 20 or 80 years-in po-
sitiOn to review and decide the most vital judicial
questions, and that often involve the most impOr-
tant points OF philosophical II not practical politics;
and no party or personal objects should be allowed
to control the Judgment OF the senate.
Even washington, as we have lately been re-
minded by writer in the Nation, with all the VEN
Grafton and respect that was let tor him by his
contemporaries, was not exempted from the con-
stltuti0nal surveillance OF the Senate When he
nominated Rutledge, OF South Carolina, to the SUI
preme Bench, though Rutledge was one OF the FORE
most lawyers OF the day, distinguished states
man and patriot OF Revolutionary fame, the Sen.
ate rejected the nomination. ITS members
ceived that men better fitted for the place than
Rutledge could be found and they did not hesitate
to exercise their prerOgative In saying as much to
the INDUSTRIOUS Father vi HIS Country. Washington,
with the grace that always tempered his dignity,
admitting his own possible mistake, yielded to the
superior Judgment OF the Senate and suggested an
Otner name. History has never yet Informed us
that either party TO the disagreement suffered for
Its action in the minds OF the people.