Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-09-08
Judge John Blair Hoge.

character Of the distinguished Judge Of this
Circuit, which we give in another column to
show its purpose aud intent. Any one at all
familiar with journalism viii readily perceive
tina, this article is the inspiration Of some Sc
cret and irresponsible enemy Of Judge Hoge.-
1t bears none Of the ear-marks Of conscientious
editorial comment; it presents no facts upon
which either editorial criticism or denunciatiou
can be fairly based it violates, in every SEN
tence, the Justice aud tie decency Of an un-
trammeled and impartial press.
We bear no relation to Judge HoSe which
would make US bis champion aud defender;
aud nothing but sense Of duty to the people
Of his Circuit-who have with one accord re-
eoeuized she dignity and impartiality Of his
judicial conduct-leads US, now, after full in-
quiry, to make this licen;ious attack the subject
Of special aud particular notice. With the
general remark that every allegation in said
article is absolutely false, We say
lst. That the delegation to the Convention
Of 1872 from the eight eastern counties, with
one single exception, united in a demand for
two Circuits aud that whatever influence in
that body either friends or enemies Of Judge
IIoge may attribute to him, it is absurd to sup
pose that he could have " manipulated the AZ
raugcmeDt Of the judicial circuits to suit bis
own purposes.
End. We know that bis elevation
So the bench was not the result Of bis own am
bition-honorable as that would have been
but the consequence Of a general estimate Of
his fitness for the position-an estimate fully
realized by his judicial conduct.
Srd. We know nothing Of any such facts
and hear now for the first time that he has
vexed the ear Of Legislators as a lobbyist, a
poor pursuit, indeed iOr any one-bu. we DO
know that, with characteristic delicacy, be has
shrunk from contact with the assembled wis
dom Of the State when, possibly personal ben
eft might have resulted to one less governed
BY the oll fashioned notions Of personal pro-
Priety.
9Th. We admit that any declaration Of an
opinion that the Capital Act, as it is called
was unconstitutional would have been a grave
error in any Judge who tsok part in the discus
sion Of that subject in the recent canvass. We
have, therefore, made inquiry as to the truth
Of this allegation. Judge Hoge spoke at but
three places-Parkersburg, Fairm0ut and
Wheeling. Nothing was said by him on this
point at either Of those pAces-iho friends Of
both Charleston and Clarksburg, at each Of
them having borne testimony 10 his firness
aud courtesy A, Wheeling Col Nalcubousch
was present, aud he authorizes US to denounce
the charge as false. so far as the speech there
is concerned. Indeed The Wheeling h'c'i-
geacer gave a full aud accurate digest Of that
speech, ia which no allusion to the subject Of
consiitutio1aliy occurs to Justify this sanderous
aspersion; and the Wheeling Registrar a
vowed supporter Of Charlcston-makes this
editorial allusion to the Mar,insburg Meet
ing as il was styled:
d" Judge j. B. Uoge addressed the assembage
for about Al hour during which time he said ma
ny good things for Narunsburg and no bad things
about her opponents. The Judge mainta med his
proverbiai dignity and courtesy throughout his
speech, and made a most favorable impression up
on his audience
This testimony is ample 10 dispose Of the
other charge tina, Judge H. INDUCED in any
utilization Of those friendly to Charleston %
and il suggests too plainly 70 be mistaken,
that this " shameless and senseless yiliifcati0n "
Of himself by the KaHa'cha Gazette is inspired,
undoubtedly. by the jealous malsui,y Of some
enc whose diseased ambition hncies that its
own selfish purposes may 10 some way be OBJ
s;ructel. Bu. this brings us to the true in
tent Of the Ka0awha SANDER -" Judge John
Blair Hogc, Of Martinsburg, is in training as a
candidate Cor Governor Of West Virginia is
the initial sentence Of the article upon which
We have commented. This. we fancy is the
origin and the occasion Of this wauton assault
upon one who has so borne himself 10 his high
Office that not an atom Of dust from the po-
I;ical arena has soiled the ermine Of the bench
since bis accession 70 it. Judge Hosc, we nm
derstand, Is now absent holding Judge Arm
strong court il Hardy. We can obtain from
him no declaration on this subject. even if we
should seek it. ID is sufficient for US to say,
however, that an ambitious aspiran,s, from
Charleston or elsewhere, may possess their
souls in patience. Judge Hoge has several
years Of his judicial term to serve, and the peo-
Pc of his Circuit DO not propose to relieve him
Of that service. Their wishes, IL we know the
man, will control aud determine bis own &C
ton.
One wo-l as 20 the threats Of the Ga-eae.-
tn all such possibilities as it refers TO- there
are blows to give as well as to receive. We.
in the East, have no aatagonisms to any other
section Of the State We believe 10 unity and
eoncord, and viii sacrifice much TO secure them.
But We viii permi: 10 selfcoustituted repre-
sonia,ives Of public opinion, 10 the Third Dis
trict, or elsewhere to friglien US with impo-
tent menace. UsurpaGon Of the power aud
majesty Of the popular voice with our people
can give no dignity to petty malice or psrturb-
ed ambition. The fable of The Ass aud Lions
skin has not lost its moral
The Mechanics Band Of this place on Mon
day nigh, screnaled Judge Okey johnson as
q small fa.tio,oti,1 rf ,f. Ii.,h ,,,.,-,...,, - 8