Middletown transcript., 1876-05-06

The CHIEF JUsTIcEsHIP.-The va
cancy caused in the judiciary Of the
State BY the death Of Chief Justice
Gilpin has given rise to much specula-
tion as who will probably be his sue
cessor, and many persons and papers
are suggesting the names Of gentlemen
whose appointment, they think, would
be acceptable and creditable. Among
others the Republicans have takeD
much pains to urge the name Of n B.
Smithcrs, Esq, upon the Governor
This is all we'll enough and if it is
gratifying to them, it will hurt nobody
else. But unless we are vastly mis-
taken in our estimate Of his character,
there is not the least particle of danger
that the present Governor (and we
might safely add any other who could
have been, or can possibly be, elected
by the Democratic party Of Delaware)
will ever appoint to that. or any other
position Of Importance or trust, in this
State, any man. be he who he may,
who was in any way, or to any extent
instrumental or influential in bringing
u. s. soldiers into the State of Della
ware and stationing them at the polls
to interfere with the right Of suffrage
Of her people. In 1862 United States
troops, under the command Of General
John A. Dix, were marched into this
State, and stationed at the various vot-.
ing places, more especially in the lower
counties, which were supposed to be
the most strongly Democratic. and
Delaware citizens were in many in
stances forced to walk through files OF
soldiers to the ballot box and deposit
their votes beneath the crossed bdyonets
Of United States soldiers! Do Repub-
licans think that Delaware Democrats
will ever forget that? In 1868 the
State was again taken possession Of,
and her citizens accorded the privilege
Of swallowing an "iron CLAD oath, re-
pusnant alike to their consciences and
their sense Of justice, or Of not voting.
Against Mr.. Smithers. as man, we
have not word to say-he is q learned
lawyer, an intelligent gentleman and
an upright man. Whether he used any
influence, or was at all instrumental,
in placing armed forces at our polls,
we do not know and will not say, but
he was the Republican candidate for
Congress at the special election in 1868,
and, as such, suffered himself to b.
placed in that body to represent peo-
pie the majority Of whom had not been
allowed to vote at the election, and his
candidature, his acceptance ofthe position
and his we'll known radicalism at the
time, would lead to the suspicion that
be had at least something TO do with
the then popular method Of carrying
elections in favor Of Administration
candidates, and no man who would at
any time, or under any circumstances,
countenance, by word or deed, 50 great
violation Of the Constitution and laws
Of his State and of the United States,
and SO gross an outrage upon the rights
Of his fellow citizens is fit for the Office
Of judge. much less for that Of Chief
Justice. 'Tis not merely because Mr..
Smithers is Republican that we op-
pose him, but because the suspicion Of
connection with controlling our elec-
tions by the use Of bayonets attaches
itself to him This is the one unpar-
donable sin which Delaware Democrats
will never forget.
But while the Democratic ranks con.
tain such men as Eli Salisbury, Judge
Wootten. Chas B. Lore, George Gray.
Victor Dupont and many other such
men. it is Of no use to 60 beyond the
party for selection When our own
supply Of qualified men fail it will be
time enough to 60 to the other side
The AMERICAN FARMER for May is promptly
issued, containing mass Of valuable instruc-
tion in every branch Of husbandry. Space
will permit allusion to but few of The promi-
.oct - .o., 81, <h;c y, ana nf tho covnral