Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-10-12
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
October 4th. 1850

SSS
Ar. Eattor.-With the voters of this
county and Berkeley and Morgan, SO far as
We have seen, the election of a Circuit Judge
seems to be at present the all-absorbing topic,
and properly SO. We are happy to see that
the people are alive to the true Importance
of selecting a suitable man to fill this high
and exalted. Office. 1t is an Office that more
closely effects their various rights than any
within their gift; hence, the neeessity.o of a
personal consideration on the part of the
voter. We would ask each citizen who ex,
ercises the right of suffrage, and who may.
see this article, would you not, if. the right
to your nome was attacked, desire that the
Judge who presided over the matter, aud to
whom you are compelled to look for the en-
fsresment and preservation OF your rights, is
one in whose integrity, honesty and ability
you might safely look for even-handed jus
tiee? IF your liberty or life was in question,
would you not desire to feel the same assn
rance and rest the same confidence? We
think, beyond q doubt, you would. Then
realize in all its magnitude the great impor-
tanee of selecting a person for that position
who is morally and Intellectually competent
to perform with a fearless hand its high and
sacred duties, aud especially should the cleo.
ton be lifted above politics, aud what is
known in common parlance as political ma
SainS9. "A hdu "Hba IuChb are WdTpeu Dy
the habit of political manipulation should
not, and cannot possess Judicial quali6ca-
tioEs. A partisan cannot be impartial, how
ever honest he may be-; therefore a Judge
should not be a partisan. The Judiciary
should occupy a higher ground, elevated
above the warmth and passion engebdercd by
party spirit. The construction of a consti-
tuition or of q statute may be according to
the fundamental principles of a party, but a
Judges afiliation should be only with its
principles, and not hampered with its ma
ehinery. and his character not simply pure
in itself, but sabove suspicion" Having
this idea, Mr.. Editor, of the judicial Office,
and the high plane upon which it should be
exalted, We fail to appreciate many degree
the noise that is made by some of our dis
triet newspapers about rallying to the sup,
port OF party machinery. Supporting the
nominee" and the wild fears about q yol-
canic disruption of party lines aud the COM
plete overthrow of Republican government,
10. We thank God aud our constitution
for the right of free theushtand free action,
and wo hope that the people will cruelty on
the 18th day of October this attempt to drag
the Judiciary into the leash eff politics by
slevating TO tho Office one who has had the
independence of thought to announce the
Judgeship free from politics. and the deter
mination to give the people a chance to
ratify that freedom despite the stale cry of
party rebellion. And that man is the Hon.
James H. Grove. There is much written
about the nominee. Against that gentle
mans personal character we have Dothing to
say, but thore are certain rumors and cer>
tain suspicious in relation to his nomination
that have raised many doubts. We would
ask: Did not the Senatorial Executive Com
mittee decide that it had no authority to call
a Judicial Convention? Did not it request
the executive committees of the three coun-
ties to call primaries for the purpose of
sending delegates to a Judicial Con wei tien?
And, if SO, you all know that request was
not complied with by the county of Berke-
ley. Was that a compliance with the letter
or spirit of the agreement? Was there no
trade of Jefferson's candidate for the Senate
at Berkeley Springs candidate who held
the majority from Jefferson, and who, ac~
eording to all preoodsnts. was clearly emit
tied to the nomination, By which trade q
minority candidate was selected, that Mr.
Faulkner might reap the benefit q week or
two later? Did not Mr.. Faulkner reap that
benefit and obtain the nomination from what
his friends call a convention :?
And, again. Why is it that Mr.. Wisner,
a gentleman of Republican tendencies, whom
his own party have refused to nominate, has
felt himself constrained to become an inde-
pendent candidate for the same ofice-a
ce~nsummation of what is extensively be
lieved to be the ardent wishes of AIR. T. and
the end attempted by some of his friends?
With such rumors as these current, and be.
lisved by a large number, this cry of stick
to your nominee, wheel into line. sounds
like the mock thunder of a half rate theatre,
1t is a cry of fear, ladcned with the tones Of
uncertainty and apprehendcd defeat. Against
its fatal influence, if it has any. We would
warn the thinking public, if these rumors
be true. Reflect. fellow-citizens and by
your votes at the polls stamp out this at
tempt to tarnish the ermine by casting upon
it the nirs of political manipulation. Let
us have our Judiciary where it should be