The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-07-14
Two Propositions.

| Two points are presented in the State
| canvass now upon us, which should COM
mand the most serious and searching con-
sideraton of the people, not only OF Vir-
ginia. but of the entire country. We mean
| the forcible readiustment of the State debt,
cutting down we'll fortified claims OF the
| States creditors by an arbitrary and insi-
dious process, defying the decisions of the
Courts and the equity and justice of the
case; and the election OF Court Of Appeals
| avowedly for the purposes of subscribing
the interests of political faction. The
conservative instincts of the people must
surely revolt against such revolutionary
propositions. 1t should be remcm bered that
the courts are the safeguards of society; the
repository of the rights of persons and OF
property, and that their rulings bring into
subsection contentious and strifes which
otherwise would find expression in all the
excuses kn0An to uncontrolled passion
and appetite. 1t is deliberately proposed
in the Riddleberger bill that the DEGREES of
the courts shall be evaded or circumvented
that the determination of the Supreme
legal tribunal of the State shall be made to
yield to the necessities of political fact ion
and that legislative device, framed to
promote party interests, shall supplant the
DEGREES of the highest judicial tribunal of
the Commonwealth. 1t is further proposed
that the election of members of the next
Legislature shall be Influenced by the
choice to be made of Judges of the Su.
preme Court, and thatthese Judges shall be
chosen with reference to their views of re-
adjustment, and for political purposes, and
not as impartial men. learned in the law, to
determine grave questions upon the cyl
dence, and the equity of the case.
These are monstrons propositions, and
must arouse the concern of every well or
dered mind and considerable citizen. 1t is
an astounding thought that the judiciary
of the country must be subordinated to the
demands of a political faction and it's indie
pendence destroyed in the interests of par
tizan ends. To familiarize the popular mind
with such an assailment of the restraints of
law and such an invasion Of the very tenn
pie of justice, is to encourage sentiment
that may manifest itself in any form of
lawlessness and subvert the very ground
work of government and society. There is
no security for the rights of persons or
property, or in government itself, where the
mandates of the courts are disregarded, or
the Judiciary is not kept Independent and
free from the baleful influence of partizan
prejudice and passion. Indeed, the propo-
sitions we have presented, contemplate a
subordination of the judicial to the legisla-
tive department of government, violating
the spirit and intent of the Constitution,
destroying the balance of our political
system, and invoking influences which may
shake the very pillars of our governmental
structure
The continued favorable reports from the
Presidents sick room have caused general
feeling OF delight to pervade the country.
Men, women and children eargerly watch for
the regular bulletins from the attending ply
sicians, and as soon as posted hasten off to in
form those of the family who cannot give the
subject personal attention. The
great heart of the nation has been wounded,
and the slightest balm is seized upon to allay
the agony. Surely such people and such
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