The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-07-12
JUDGE FOR THE I'D CIRCUIT.


I venture to make a suggestion as
to filling the vacancy resulting frcm
the resignation Of the late incumbent
or the Office of Circuit Judge forthe
Second Judicial Circuit.
As general thing we arc too care
less and inconsiderate in the selec-
tien Of judicial officers. and for some
years we have been so blind and so
false to the true welfare of the conn
try as to allow om political preja-
dices to control our ballots.
TO the great mass of the people
the Judicial is the most Important
branch OF the government.
To this department. is given the
power and the duty to construe and
administer the law Of the land, and
to restrain the other departments
within the bonnds Of the constitu-
tion. 1t is the conservator of the
law, the arbiter- of our rights, and
upon its judgments depend all we
live for, or hold dear. 1t is the pow
er of the government that comes TO
our doors and gives as protection.
1t is, in the language of an authori-
tative writer, to the courts of the
country that we 60 in our hours Of
trouble-not the trouble that religion
can solace, or medicine cure but the
troubles arising from innocence ac-
cused, confidence betrayed, reputa-
ton slandered, berty assailed, pro-
perty invaded. promises broken, the
domestic relations violated, or life
endangered. 1t matters little to our
every day life and personal security
and happiness who shall represent
us in Congress. or be our next Gov
ernor but who shall administer our
laws is question of vital import
ance. Who shall train our young
lawyers, our future judges and leg.
islators; who shall, as the most con-
spicuous and influential man in our
judicial circuit, by his example and
public bearing and demcanor, give
tone to public morals and manners
and make the leading impress on So
ciety; who shall for long series OF
years be the guardian and arbiter of
our municipal law; are questions
that every man, not as a partizan,
but as citizen, should deeply pom.
der.
These considerations lead me to
a meeting Of a portion Of the
and patriotic citizens of our
and especially of members
of tie bar, irrespective Of marty pre-
judice or afiliation, ut Morristown,
on the third Monday of July, for the
purpose of presenting to the voters
of the Circuit suitable man for The
Office Of Judge. ono whose ability
and learning will insure sound and
earnest judgment. whose integrity,
firmness and independence will nlaoe
him beyond the reach of the waves
Of prajudioe or popular commotion,
one who Will, when he ascends. to his
high and sacred place on the benoh,
" put off his shoes feeling that he
is "on hcIy ground" and who will
the law, and dispense
justice. with q steady and even hand,
8 freely without sale. fully without
denial and speedily without delay
We repaa6, the moment Judicial
power becomes weak or corrupt, lib
erty expires. It is the judicial pow
er, vested in strong and pure hands,
that brings to the dwelling OF every
Gitizpn ali tho blessings Of civil So
eiety and makes it dear to him. The
great and splendid events in the po-
I,tical world that aggrandizc a few
eminent men, and make = figure on
the page of history. arc nothing to
him If lao is secure in his domestic
happiness, his life, his limbs. his
health, his reputation and his pri-
yate property.
1t was maintained by DR., Frank
lin, id tho Constitutional Conven-
ton, that the selection Of Judges
shonld be committed to lawyers, for
which he assigned. among other rea-
sons that they were sure to select
the best and most highly esteemed
lawyer to get him out of the way.
There is probably something in this !;
but there are other and better reas-
ons why their views should be res
pected.
They are judges Of legal qualiica-
tions long and intimate association
give them knowledge Of the moral
qualities Of their brethren; and their
love of legal science, as rule, and
professional pride. lead them TO pre-
fer the best and ahlast men TO pre-
side over tho courts.
The writer Of this has determined
for himself that he in the future will
vote for the best man for Judge, re-
gardless of party and he respect
fully suggests to the bar and the
people that at the time and place
above designated candidate be Sc
lected on this basis.
| offer these thoughts TO affect the
interests Of no aspirant, favorably
or unfayorably, but for the sole pur-
pose of aiding in securing, as far as
may be, judicious selection Of q
successor to Judge Randolph,
JAMES I. Shields.