The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-03-06

laws. Hence the premise of the johnson
resolves is fallacious, and the conclusions
must necessarily partake Of the same char
acter.
A very remarkable feature, not only of
the incendiary speech of Mr.. johnson in
presenting his resolutions, but Of the Demo-
cratic press in discussing the matter, is that
they never quote the law, either State or
national, which it is assumed has been vic.
lated, nor have they presented an argument
to fortify the conclusion that Judge Rives
has ''usurped" authority. 1t is a question
about which passion can be easily intlamed.
and it is to effect that, and not a judicial
conclusion, that all the ihflammatory SEN
fences about it have been written and spo-
ken. 1t seems to be entirely ignored that
the Fourteenh Amendment to the Constitu-
ton is as applicable to Virginia as to any
other State, and that its provisions are just
as binding as any other article or provision
of the Constitution-that the laws enacted
to enforce it, are OF equal dignity with any
other enactment of Congress, and that it is
as much the duty of Judge Rives to see that
the amendment is respected and obeyed,
as it is to require that any other COM
mand of the Constitution be submitted to :;
and as much the duty of the judges of Vir-
ginia to obey the laws, which they have ia
ken an oath to support, as 1t is OF Judge
Rives, and every judicial officer, State or ma
tional, to see that they are not defied and
spit upon.
Judges are citizens as well as judicial Of
ficers, and because Of their official positions
are none the less amenable to the laws than
as citizens. Indeed. the fact that they are in a
position to administer and enforce laws,
is a greater reason why they should be more
clrcumspect in observing and respecting all
the mandates of the laws of the State
and Nation. Ii a citizen engaged in
business infracts, in the least degree, any
Of the provisions Of the internal revenue law,
or the State revenue or police laws, he
is held to strict accountability, and
punished by fine and sometimes imprison-
ment. Official position should not be held
to justify the evasion or violation OF either
State or national statutes, and all alike
should understand that the laws are enacted
to be obeyed, and not evaded or defied, and
that no plea of prejudice or aversion result
ing from education, will justify the dethrone-
ment Of the majesty of law.
We have no taste for this kind Of contro-
versy. and we mi ght say in truth, with the
transpirancies which have occasioned it. but
because law is on the statute book which
is distasteful to us in its operat ions, is no
reason why we should denounce the sworn
officer of the government whose duty it is
to see that the law is enforced. The people
of Virginia have ratified the amendments
to the Constitution, and conform ed their
fundamental and statutory laws to them,
and it is as much their duty, as citizens OF the
State and country, to demand observance of
them as it is Judge Rives', or any other
persons. We profess to be law abiding
people and to regulate our civil, political
and social institutions by laws and while
all enactments of Congress and the Legis-
lature may not be precisely as we would
like to have them, still it is our duty as
good citizens, to obey the obnoxious as well
as the acceptable statutes, and show that we
are capable Of subordinating prejudices and
feelings, and even interests, to that great
conservator Of the public weal-the laws of
the country and the vicinage.