Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-07-25
WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIA.
"Wednesday, July 20, 1883.

WHEN the anclents undertook tol
give expression 10 their idea Of Inc
horrors of war, they repeated brlel
uavim whose perport was that ihe
laws were silent while war Prevailed
Within our own recollection the people
EXPRESSED their appreciation OF wars
most direful evil by referring 10 the
fact that the peoples liberties were at
tie disposal Of tie Secretary OF State
the sound ofwhose little bell was more
potent than the decisions OF the highest
copr,s of the land. A more gloomy
pic.uc Of the helpless condition OF
people could not De painted. When
the clouds of war had passed away,
peace brought no greater blessing than
The restored prot, etion Of the peoples
rights through the regularly constituted
courts. From time lmmemorial the
courts huve commsnded The highest
respect. The forms Ct ADDRESS used IN
the presence of the court were not
mere expressions Of politeness, but they
were the evidence OF the high apprecl'
n.ion in which the executive represen-
,atiyes Of tie law were held. They
were supposed 10 be acIuated by no
motive except the DETERMINATION to DO
justice.
The position of Judge was one CT
Lopor, Ii commanded DO! only The
respect but the confidence OF tie PEOPLE.
There were certain iDalianable rights
OF which The people felt secure, Tor the
courts stood between them and every
danger. Party spirit might engender
strife and partisan legislation might
enact oppressive laws, but the courts
were independent and would declare
hull and void the laws which were not
in accord With the agree mint or COM
pact made by the States of this Union.
A pure End incorrupt judiciary was the
bulwaIk Of protection behind which the
liberties Of The people were saie from
aggression Of every character. So long
as the courts could be preserve cd In their
purity, so long as the judges comman-
ded the respect and confidence OF the
people, so long as Judges were Tree aud
untrammeled, and felt that they we're
the vislble rtpresentives OF justice, and
not the mere tools CT the party, the
choue, or oven the individual, through
whose influence they obtained, or con-
tinued 10 hold, their places, the people
had reason to feel that tier rights oil
person and OF properly were secure
No greater danger every threatened
free people than that which now stares
us in the face. According TO the state
mint. unccntradicted so far Is We have
seen, BY one who enjoyed, 10 an emil
nent degree, the confidence OF the
leaders Of Tire Republican party, Jay
Gould and another contribute the sum
of sl5O.COO 10 tie Republican campaign
fund. with the express understanding
that in the nomination OF member OF
the Supreme Bench "a man should be
sppointtd who's views were favorable
10 The railroad corporations represented
by Mr.. Could" In accordance with
the agreement the man Mr.. Gould
wanted was appointed aud confirmed.
TLis party, plOfesslng 10 represent
the Interests Of the people bartered a
J rdgeship of the highest court for
money for campaign purposes. The
court, the party, and the adminisIra-
ton we're degrade and The liberties Of
the people wtic iettered BY This dis
graceful trade.
Trades unions and strikes are FREE
quently referred 10 as dangers threaten
ing the government, but they are moth.
ing compared with the danger conse-
quent upon surTep derirg The courts
into tie hands Of tie railroad mOnopo-
lies, and rich corporations Of the cOun-
Try.
This single act Of the Republican par
ty should condemn 1t in the estimation
of every man who desires the perpetua-
ton of a pure government. For this
act the Republican party lie response
BILE. For the appointment OF men, as
judges in Virginia. against whom were
made serious charges, tie Malone Goa
liiiOn party is responsible. When
judges Of courts permit themselves 10
be made the tools OF party. and the
courts 10 be degraded into partisan ma
chimes. they do more to destroy The
government than could be done
by violent revolutions. The work
is done so quietly as 10 ex
cite no apprehensions in the public
mind. The slender cords of the Lii
putians seemed so contemplate as 10
be unworthy Of notice, but when wound
around the limbs Of their victim t1ey
completely fet cred him ard rendered
him powerle's. So ii IL, with these
quiet agsressions upon the courts Of
our land. When they are organized
for party purposes aud men whose in.
terests are with the rich corporations
of the country are placed upon the
judicial bench, the rights of the people
are subjected to q power as relentless
and unjust as tie will ofa couquering
despot.
This great danger now threatens us.
Will we fold our hands 10 quiet SUBJ
mission while this party whose high
crimes have been so fully exposed, are
seeking assistance through their pur-
chased allies at our very doors? Will
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