Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-10-28
Judge Houston Seeking the Demo-
cratic Nomination for Congress

Judge Houston Seeking the Demo-
cratic Nomination for Congress.
We presume Benjamin Nislis, Esq, is
unsupported By the Aornia9 Nesos when
hs has been made to say that Judge
Houston is charged with having accepted
the Democratic nomination for Congress
in 1868. Mr.. Nields would doubtless have
repealed that charge instantly, for there is
no man in this county likely to have
more distinct recollection of the campaign
of 1868 than Mr.. Nields, who vas the one
Republican on the Legislative ticket of
that year not elected by the people. The
charge to which he referred was one made
that Judge Houston, who now talks about
the "heresy" of State rights, sought, or, at
least was willing to accept, the Democratic
nomination for Congress in that cam
paign. In reply to this charge Mr..
Nields is reported as saying that 'the
conclusion is that any man who accepts
"a Democratic nomination is unfit for
office"
1t will be seen that he does not attempt
to deny the charge, and at this we are not
surprised, for the charge is absolutely true.
The same anxiety to get into political life
which has led The old gentleman to violate
the traditions OF this State by accepting
while on the bench political nomination
in 1880, at the hands of the Republican
party, made him willing to accept a
similar nomination in 1865 at the hands of
the Democratic party, the proclaimed
principles Of which then, m now, in
cluded the same doctrine OF states rights
| which The ,ladgr in his letter OF acceptance
this year denounced AZ n heresy. The
| Democratic party CURLY declined the over
| lures made to it, and refused to be a party
to dragging the Judiciary into politics.
Is it possible that Mir Nields can draw
no other lesson from this incident than
that suggested By his tlippant remark
Does he see nothing to shock or disgust
him in this bidding by a judge on the
bench for nomination of first one and
then tie other party, without the slightest
regard to the principles they represent
Mr.. Nields may have a charity for vacilla
ton which eminently becomes him, br
we cannot believe that he regards
so lightly as his remarks woult
indicate the lack of politica
principle indicated by this successful
scheming for Republican nomination il
1880 by any man, much more by a judge
who sought similar nomination by thu
Democrats in 1865. If the man protesse(
any change OF conviction it would be
different matter but Judge Houston he
been presented throughout this esmpaigl
f as an unchanged and unchsnging piece o
timber saved from the old Wig ship whic
went down in the sea of oblivion befor
half the voters who will take part in thi
election were born.
There could be but one answer to th
declaration that such conduct as that G
Judge Houston in this matter, since
|
to Republcanisml indicates lack of prime
pie; and, that is that his name was use
in both instances without his knowledg
> or consent. But this answer cannot /
r made. The men who sought the DEM
cratic nomination for him in 1865 did
with his knowledge and consen
a George P. Fisher and Richard Ha
+ rington who arranged the scheme fl
n Judge Houston's present nomination, la
: consulted with him and obtained his Co
9 sent before Mr.. Niclds, Mr.. Higgins
h any other member of that wipg OF Il
n Republican party ever heard whisper
n it. Judge Houston was consentng par
n, to both efforts, and this fact shows that /
Ie desire to go to Congress is vastly strong
Q than any convictions he holds in favor
u the principles of either Of the two part
If which have grown UP since he passed |
at prime.