The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-09

ton day The early history Of stephen J. Field
in California would make a romance tint tn"
boys would Try for and the women wound 10
mad over. 1t is full Of stirring in id"uts o no
bic adventure and Of deeds OF hcrni-m that
would make the country Democrat" press ~
interesting M n novel during the campaign.
Judge Field was then n Democrat. but when II
came to question Of the division Of the States
Judge Field WIS n Unionist. IIo meyer WIS
partisan Republican. IL WIS appointed
Judge Of the Supreme Court Of the United
States by Mr.. Lincoln. and has bren-what WIS
most needed on that brnrh-not only an up
right. but perfectly fearless mngis-
tratc. Judge Field never dodgcd. On all
constitutional questions arising out OF the war
and reconstruction, Judge Field blew the dust
OF political prejudice from the scales OF Justice,
and hold them with stern and even hand. H.
never attempted 10 evade great question Of
right or law. IA some OF his brethren did. by
sending tho case OF on technoality or finding
an excuse for refusing n hearing on the very
merits Ha always went straight to the heart OF
the matter and In every case. whether relating
to the rights Of tho States or Of persons he has
boldly taken the responsibility Of declaring tho
Constitution. without regard to tho interests OF
political parties. or to the claims Of extraor-
binary powers by the Congrrss or the Admins
tratlon. A volume OF Judge Fields opinions in
the cases arising out Of what were called war
measures" would prove n monument to his
name. more honorable and durable than the de-
cisons Of any English Judge that ever bearded
the king or resisted the threats and blnndsh-
mcnts OF n corrupt court. Ho WIS with tho
Chief Justice on the legal tender cases he was
with clifford and Nelson in every case under
the so-caled reconstruction laws and in every
case involving the liberty Of the citizen. Some
Of these decisions were rendered at n time when
servile judges all over the land were cringing
TO power, and when II required not only tho
camest Of judicial tempers. but the highest or
der Of manly courage to deny the right Of the
Government to deal with the conquered States
az 1t saw 1T. or to arrest political opponents
without warrant. try them by military commits
sion, and shoot them to death with muskctry.
Judge Field would have as II candidate none
OF the disadvantages OF "A long political or legs
latlvo record. requiring explanation and de-
fence. His nomination would put the party on
the aggressive. and the enemy would find in
his life and character no means OF putting II on
the defensive. He is from the far West. and
should DO acceptable to the Western States. He
is from the gold State. State where specie
payments were never either suspended or re-
sumed and should be acceptable to New York
and the East His nomination would give the
Democracy the three Pacific States without their
striking a blow for them. and enable them to
concentrate their efforts on Indiana. Ohio and
New YORK. The romance OF his life. the spotcss
purity OF his private and judicial character. the
absence OF any record upon which he could
possibly be- assailed. and the electoral votes OF
the three Pacific states-otherwise worse than
doubuul-with which he would start in the race.
make Judge fleld candidate prominently
available. should the Paclhc coast present his
name the Democrats Will II they are wise.
mink twl'e' yea thrlce, before they reject MN.
Either stephen j. Field or Samuel j. Randall
would carry the country with ease against any
candidate the Republicans can name; but with
the TWO on the same TICKET the opposing party
would DC annlhllated.
Yet we must not suppose that the sense OF
Justice in the American heart is dead The
cipher despatches nave not Injured Mr.. IIden