Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-03-24
The Democrats and the Courts.

Rogues never had-and perhaps
never Will have-much respect for
the decisions of courts as the agen-
cies of justice. For the last few
days the Democrats appear to agree
in sentiment with the rogues. DIR.
Garcelon, in his examination by the
Maine Legislative committee, said that
he applied to the Supreme Court for
an opinion, to satisfy Mr.. Morrill,
As for himself, he did not intend to
respect the opinion of the Court,
holding himself Independent of and
above the Court, and having decided
beforehand not to alter his arrange
ments because of anything the Court
might decide. Besides, in his opin-
ion, the decision was not law. After
reading this testimony, one might
reasonably inquire when a Governor
of State was made a Judge of the
law, and at what time the Executive
was placed above the Judiciary. How
ever, it is not of much consequence.
DR.. Garcelon has revealed his incapa-
city to mingle In State affairs in his
testimony, and he will probably never
be heard from again in a civil capa
city.
While this contempt for the Su-
preme Court of a State was being
expressed in Maine, Mr.. Mcmahon,
of Ohio, was expressing his hearty
contempt for the decision of the Su-
preme Court of the United States in
the Capitol at Washington He said
the decision of the Court holding the
Federal Election law to be constitu-
tional would make no difference with
Democrats. They would not respect
that decision, he said, nor would they
appropriate moneys to carry the law
into effect. Democrats, said Mr. Nc
Mahon, are ready to take the respon-
sibility of refusing to respect the de-
cision of the Court and all that the
decision involves.
1t was only few days ago that an
Ohio Democratic Congressman said
in a public speech to street crowd
that the Democrats would nominate
their man at Cincinnati and inaugu-
rate him whether elected or not The
Democrats declare that the speaker
was drunk, which may well be the
fact. But he no doubt faithfully re
lated what was passing current in
private circles of the party. He GER
tainly did not originate the idea.
Probably it is of small account rs an
idea, but it serves t. disclose the
studied contempt for law and the
agencies of law prevalent among
Democratic leaders For that reason
we reproduce the declaration.
The Legislature of Virginia during
the closing hours of its session also
testified its contempt for the Federal
Supreme Court. The Court having
decided that the constitutional amend
ments and the law prohibiting any
discrimination on account of color in
the selection of jurors valid and to
be enforced, the Legislature calls
upon southern members of Congress
and all other Democrats to repeal the
amendments and laws in pursuance
thereof. 1t asks the people of the
south to enforce the demand. Vir-
ginia is alarmed for its sovereignty,
and looks upon the federal Judiciary
as an agency for the coercion OF all
State authorities. Its people have
not forgotten their old heresies. The
law and the courts are, as ever, re
garded as inimical to southern inter
ests. 1t is very sad, but the courts
will probably continue to dispense
the law.-.Aorth american.