Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-23
Chief-Jusuce Fuller.

II seems 70 be beyond reasonable doubt
that some Of the Republican senators were az
first m favor Of poStponing the vote upon
the continuation Of Mr.. FULLER as Chief
Justice until alter the approaching prcsi-
dental election.
Was such party ever before known in
the history OF ihc world? 1t is the party OF
mal-n1nl,. Instead Of rejoicing over a re-
stored Union and seeking the things that
rlaLc for peace, harmony, Cancellation, and
the good II tine country, these malignantS
seem 10 desire rather the perpetuation OF
discord. discussion. malice. hatred. and all
uneharitAbeneS'.
How is the sectional issue involved ia the
question " The confirmation OF sir. FULLER
a. chief Justice? II ought not 10 be In
volyed, and there was no earthly necessity
for raising il; hut so It is. No better reason
can be assigned for not confirming his nomi-
nation a. orce than the fact that he
was a States-rights Democrat before and
during the war between the States. he was
DoUGLLs man and no man was ahead OF
DOUGLAS in declaring for the Union when the
time came for men to take sides. There Is
no reason, 80 far as we know, to doubt that
Mr.. FULLER earnestly desired the Union to
be preserved. II il easy enough now
10 see and to say that the lighting had
10 20 on in order 20 its preServa-
ton; but there was time during the war
when IL was not certain that the Union could
not most certainly and ehectuslly be pre-
served by resSrting to negotiations. Even
HORACE GELELEY was not at first In favor OF
irving to whip in the seeded States. Mr..
FULLER might well have doubted that Mr..
LINCOLN would be able to save the UsiOn
By his methods. Anyhow 1t was perfectly
natural for any States-rights Democrat
who believed firmly that it was undoubtedly
the interest OF all the States TO continue
united, TO believe also that by negotiations
tins fact could be best impressed upon the
minds OF the southern people and the war
be brought to successful close.
The malignants will make no allowance
for opinions honestly entertained when
there was good reason tor entertaining them,
but would blame Nr. FULLER for not APP
proving OF the plumbers OF the war, and for
not being IN favor OF having as many men
slain as il might be necessary 10 sacrifice in
order 10 put down the "Iebelllon" by
force. II was q question in arithmetic.
There were 50 many thousands Of men
whom It was possible for the Confederate
States 10 put into the Geld aud there were
Eve times as many men whom it was possible
for the United States 10 put Into the held.
All that WAS necessary for the tinal success Of
the Uuion arms was for the work OF killing
10 go on long enough. II was this policy
that Mr.. FULLER could not approve, we take
II.
Let us say, however, to the credit OF the
Republicans In the Senate that not all OF
them are maligusuts. INGALLS,, WILSON,
and EDNuNDs sre named as leaders OF the Op.
ponenis OF confirmation, but EyARTs. HoAR,
and other senators are expected to vote for
confirmation, and for confirmation al an early
day. Nc. HoAR rs reported 10 a special TO
the Philadelphia Telegraph to have been
convinced by strong endorsements from
Judge GRESHAM, ROBEEr T. LINCOLN, Judge
DEUnnOSD. Judge TsuNsULL. and WALKER
BLAINE, in addition TO letters from nearly
the entire bar OF Chicago, and from promi.
nent lawyers all over Illinois. All the names
mentioned except one are those Of Republi.
cans.
To postpone until next December taking
the vote upon confirmation would not have
accomplished the purpose OF the malignant.
In demanding delay; for until March next
the sasae President will be in sflce. There.
fore postponement until December, 1888, iu,-
Piled pestpozement until March 4, 1859.
This was rather too much for Republican
Senate 70 undertake to do In year when
Rspubiieza nisdeeds are to be exposed upon
ten thousand siumps. The motive would
have been too plainly dlscreditable one.