The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-28
Judge Field.

Judge Field.
Our uptown morning contemporary
thinks that II the candidacy OF Judge
FIELD Is only Joke, we and the State are
wasting our energies in opposing his nomi-
nation. We have said more than once that
we should be perfectly willing TO publish
not another word against Judge FIELD II
his advocates would cease to trouble the
public upon the subject. But 1t would be
an act OF injustice to the other aspirants for
us to be silent when his admirers are set
ting up Judge FIELD as the only living en-
bodiment OF Democratic principles. 1t is
an attack by implication upon the Demo.
cratic principles OF BAYARD. SEYMOUR, Nor.
RIsoN, and other men who have never
been anything but Democrats, to claim
for Judge FIELD, rs some OF his
friends do, that be better than any other
man represents the cardinal doctrines Of the
people opposed to Capitalization and con-
solidation. This Is done In utter contempt
OF the fact that these other gentlemen have
been consistent Democrats all their lives;
and also in contempt OF the fact that Judge
FIELD has not laid down one single doc
trine in his dissenting opinions as to the
constitutional Limitations upon the powers
Of Congress which had not previously been
part Of the creed OF every true Democrat.
Judge THURMAN and other Democrats in
Judge FIELD uses in his dissenting opin-
ions in the recent cases which have come
before him arising under the new amend
ments to the Federal Constitution. IL is
gross injustice 10 Mr.. THURMAN to allow the
arguments which be has used in the United
States Senate denying the power Of Con-
gress to pass the laws which Judge FIELD
says are unconstitutional to be put before
the country as the fruit Of Judge FIELDS
own study OF the subject.
So as to the powers claimed for the United
States Government under tue Constitution
as ii existed when the war broke out. Mr..
BAYARp, Mr.. SEYMOUR, Mr.. THURMAN, Mr..
MORRISON, aud all other sound Democrats
have always held and taught the very doc
trines which Judge FIELD holds and teaches. |
these distinguished Democrats upon these
questions.
We repeat that 1t is, therefore, unjust to
the other Democratic asprants to the presi-
dency TO be holding up Judge FIELD as the
embodiment OF true States'-Rights doc
TIRES, thereby creating the impression
among the uninformed that other Demo-
Gratis have less claim upon the gratitude OF
the people, and especially Of those OF the
South, than Judge FIELD. When a young
man is told that Judge FIELD is maintain
ing the principles which have come down
to US from RUYYMEDE, he is very likely to
draw the inference that Mr.. BAYARD has not |
been so engaged.
Judge FIELD was appointed to the SUI
premc bench by Mr.. LINCOLN at a time
when most good Democrats would have
been sent to prison II the most malignant
OF the war party had had their way. He
was 50 bitter that he joined "a secret
Union League"! We quote from our
neighbours columns
SIT was the year OF the great rebellion. |
but The Secessionists were aggressive and |
meant mischief. Chief-Justice Field ar
IDENTIFY espoused the Union cause. Although |
a strict advocate Of State rights, he held that |
the General Government possessed the pow.
er 10 enforce the law. The SecessiOnists |
made no secret Of their intentions TO carry
the State out OF the Union. General Albert |
Sidney Johnson was In command OF the |
United St9tes forces. and this gave them |
great encouragement. The Generals 10y
atty WAS at least questionable. The Union
lists feared that he was In collision with the |
who threatened TO seize Alca-
traz. Its possession would place San Fran
cisco at their mercy. Seventy five thousand
snuskets were stored at Benicia, and IL these
Tell into the hands Of the Secessionists Cali
fornia would be lost.
"1he URionisfs lost not moment. A
secret Union Leogue scas formed. Chief.
Justice field ,caS its tlfth saenber. Wea-
pons were bought and an armed force was
created, ready for any emergency. I'M
mense Union meetings were held, and adj.
dressed by Starr King, General Conness,
and Others. Mr.. Field and the League kept
In constant communication with
President Lincoln by post.riders on the
plains. They asked that an officer OF un-
questioned loyalty should be placed In CON-
lnand on the Pacific coast 1t was thought
best to secretly supersede G eneral, Johnson,
~ an open order might preeipitate the con.
nief that they were trying to avoid. Gene
raj r.. v. Sumner sailed from New York
nndtr an assumed name, with special Or
ders from the President to assume CON-
napd General johnson readily recognized
hem, <je arms were removed from the arse
,al, aua the State was safely moorcd to the
union.s II
Here isenr champion States. Rights man
. pretty position. lie was the fifth mem
Der Of Union League organized 10 put
Town what he and his associates called ]"
'ebe''ion"! He kept himself 10 constant
With President LJScOLHt
he wss party TO the scheme OF secretly
ALsEsS SIDNEY JOHNSON! II
Surely II Is q Joke 70 talk about nomina.
Ing such man as the best representative
u tsne Democratic doctrines.
We have other material on hand which
'nr eiSbbor can have presented 10 the
public u the aboyejs not sufficient to satisfy
'tm that there are good reasons for re- |.
ysrdlng Judge EIeLDs candidacy as Joke.
We 40 net charge Judge FIELD with Dor. !
'ss'o6 upon seuiIity, ~ our neIghbor has