The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-09-21


norc than four Thousand Democrats
If Monroe County, who are anxiously
,waiting the result of this Convcn-
ion, when present to you for nom
nation at your hands as the Demo-
ratio candidate for Common Pleas
Judge in this Judicial ub-division
md. earnestly urge the selection of
her distinguished son. citizen and
soldier, JOHN b. DRIGGs.
The nomination vas seconded by
w. \. Coflland, Of Belmont, by an
ablc speech in which he said the Re-
publicans had taken the initiatory
steps in making this political con-
test by appointing committee to
look after the election of their can
didatc. He endorsed the speech of
Pearson and said, "Our candidate is
the peer of Judge Kelly"
No other nominations being made,
on motion of J. B Ryan, of Bel
mont, J. B. briggs was nominated
by acclamation.
A committee was then appointed.
composed of Hon. David Wagner,
VIM. Eaton, Hon. A. J. Pearson and
F. Reef. to inform Mr.. briggs of his
nomination and to present him to
the Convention.
He was soon brought in by the
committee and escorted to the stage,
where he accepted the nomination
sRd honor conferred upon him in the
following appropriate speech:
Mr. Chairman and Gentleman ofthc Conven-
tion:
In appearing before you, I have
pleasant duty to perform. 1t is to
return to you and those whom you
represent. my grateful acknowledge
ments and sincere thanks for the
very distinguished honor you and
they have conferred on me in SO
unanimously nominating me for the
honorable and responsible position
of Common Pleas Judge.
The position of Judge is one to
which any citizen may aspire with
a consciousness that to attain it ID
indeed distinguished honor: but
to fill it worthily is much more dis
tinguished one. The nomination to
such position, I regard RS high
compliment to any citizen, because
it is evidence of the degree ofragart
| in which such nominee is held by
those who bestowed it upon him.
accept it then, with feelings Of graf
itude and thankfulncss, as .sn evi
dcncc of your regard for me as cit
izcn and lawyer: whether deserves
or not, the future alone can deter
mine with certainty. The position
of Judge, whether of the lower o
higher courts, is both honorable ant
responsible; honorable, as being
,, mark of respect and confidence en-
: tertained by his fcllow-citizens 70
|, the incumbent: responsible, as bcln
: one of the parts of that great ms
y chinery, by which, in every civilize
country Justice is administers
!. !. through forms and in the spirit {
: law. 1t is a position of the mos
: sacrcd trust and confidence; one cal
: ing for the fullest capacity and tn
strictest integrity in the dischare
of its dutic.. 1t is the duty of
: Judge to hold the scales of Justit
: :, in perfect cquipoise: to guard the
!. with the most jealous and watchf,
y care; and in the discharge Of his d'
/" ties to know no man; TO have 4
y friends to serve; no enemies TO pul
ish; and nothing to do, but his dut.
= regardless of consequence to indivit
= uals or to the public.
. The Judge of every court-is q
- !: important part of that vast machil
: cry, the object of which is the csta'
.' lishment and administration of in
U tice. Justice then must be admit
istered by and through the court
' and the people can better afford th'
= corruption shall exist anywhere,
~ IL everywhere else, than in their court
- . so long as the people have confiden
~ in their courts, there is feeling
70 safety, and as long as the courts a
~ deserving of confidence, the peol
W are safe.
y Entertaining as lido these. vie,
~ OF the duties and responsibilities
IN the position, should the people,
=, 70 the polls, in November. next, ratl
~ the nomination here and now ma,
and / be elected Judge of the Coz
nc of Common Pleas, / here and nc
y pledge myself that whatever of tale
:" ability and energy l possess shall
I! devoted to the faithful, honest a
no impartial discharge of the duties
~ that high position / may, if clect'
~ in the discharge of the duties of til
~ ~ high position, and will be liable
~ make mistakes and errors Of Jud,
=. mcnt. From that l do not hope
. escape, as no man has yet been foui
who has succeeded in tho diselar
~ ~ of the duties of that Office, for I
la' !: period of five years without comm
l'' ting some mistakes. and ! do not /,
'n I pect to bc singular exception
l' that matter. But there is one tlli
an / know / can avoid. and i'll thoul
VI l could not, ! would shrink FRI
the acceptance of this nominate
IN IN that thing is partiality and corru
~ |, ion. Our Republican friends
"a ready have their candidate in
~ field, in thcperson of the distingui
~, cd gentleman, who now occupies
M position for which you have nomil
III ted me. / know him well, and
er know him to be gentleman, sch
Vi ar and an able Jurist.
You have nominated me as "
,is M candidate, and l doubt not you a
nv those whom you represent, will x
=, VI erously support me in the conf
=. -. election, and if you do, shall
'n' elected.
~ Again thanking you for the hol