The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-04-30
Assailing the Court.

The recent opinion givenby Justice Stan
leyMaUthews in the Virginia coupon cases,
has called forth a flood of abuse of MI.
Mathews by the Democratic press of the
State. They forget that the Justice has
reached the conclusion which they contend-
ed for wears the Court would have to reach
if the case was ever brought before it
that they held up the Reconsideration
as "highway robbery" but the court
passed upon that and found it not obnox-
ions to the constitution in the form it
was presented. Not until after the acts OF
the Democratic Legislature propounding
direct and palpable reputation, about
which there could be no dispute OF dis
gnlse and which colored all the previous
acts passed in relation to the coupons, did
the court pronounce judgment against
their validity. But apart from this, even
had Justlce Matthews changed his views
of the effect and force Of the legislation
Of Virginia in reference to this subject,
should that be reason sufficient to ar
raion his motives and invite such a vol
ume of defamation as we daily see in the
Democratic papers? Other judges have
reversed themselves, and yet the public
has not been uncharitable enough to attri-
butte it to corrupt intentions. What in
terest or motive could Justice Matthews
have. personal to himself, or what could
influence him to pronounce a conclusion
against his Judgment, in rendering the
opinion he did? If we mistake not JUS
tice Miller was of the minority i'll the de-
cision in the case of Antoni VS.. Green
how and in the recent decision he was on
/ the side Of the State-reyersing his position
There would be as much reason and justice
in arraigning his motives as there is in as
sailing Justice Matthews
The Democratic press of Virginia has
gotten SO much in the habit of denouncing
everything and everybody as corrupt and
vicious which do not accord with uhell
party interests or contribute to relieve
them. of embarrassment, that they cannot
stop at the highest judicial tribunal OF The
country. They assume a license to assai
and criminate the judgment of men who
feel, in an eminent degree, the response
bility Ct their position and the far-reachlne
effect of their Observation-Disclosures CAL
have no other object than to do right, a!
they may understand the right, and main
tain the dignity and the character OF thu
exalted body they constitute, that public
| ha ircY and pnhlif1 inc
tice administered. To our mind this is ;
D eryersion Of the whole mission of trut
journalism, and instead OF diminishing
public confidence in the courts will have
the effect to reduce the journals which in
dulge in it to the level of the common
scod rather than elevate them to the plane
, Of public educators, ambitious for the pub
lie welfare.
!, Courts may and DO commit Mistakes
They are constituted Of fallible men, liza
} BILE to err and to change. But the fact O.
! change of opinion, such as is alleged il
, this case, where tile facts and condition
relating to the question at issue were diff
ferent, constitutes no just ground for tn
malignant and malicious utilization o
Justice Matthews,which has been indulge'
by the Democratic press of Virginia Til
: discredit will be with the newspaper
rather than the Justice. Public conf
} dence will not be withdrawn from tn
} Court at the bidding of partizan scribblers
nor public justice defeated, because it
5 enforcement may interfere with the sci
, fish and ignoble plans Of desperate part
} schemers. Anarchy will not be invited il
t the weakening Of this conservative safe
guard to our institutions, that al excus
may be found under which to shelter polit
ical marplots OF palliate the wicked TEN
per of fooled plotters against public jus
5 tice