The Opelousas courier., 1891-09-12
The judiciary.

IL LHGIo =UG any QUE tH!fiS III UONSII-
| ment, more important to the good OF
der, peace and contentment of people
than all others, it is an unbiased cnl
! tivated, independent and fearless ju-
dietary. The laws may be imperfect
even severe-but whenever a people
| know they are certain of enforcement,
| they can always so shape their business
and their daily conduct, as to not snb
/ ject themselves to their penalties.
The law of homicide is clear in its
terms, explicit it its denuneiation, and
as serious in its penalties. as civiliza
i tion and christianity will tolerate; but
it fails to prevent men from Staying
each other, under the most trihiDg pre-
texts. And the same is the case with
all the long catalogue of other statnary
offenders.
The docket of our court swells with
increased findings Of grand iuries and
presentments of district attorneys.
Convictions arc comparatively few, and
in some instances, courts seem to con-
slider it prudent, if not duty, to pro-
nounce the sentence the Elaw prescribes
in half apologetic manner or style, as
though it had became necessary to be
a respecter of persons,
The law is blind in such matters. 1t
lis not its design to distinguish one man
from another. IF one slays his fellow,
no matter who, it is homicide. it may
be mansianghter, or, it may be murder.
The facts adduced in evidence, with
the attribute of credibility, are all that
Judges or juries should weigh and con.
slider; and the Judge who fully appre-
ciates the gravity and importance OF
| his official duties, must knotI that the
/ crime against government, is Just as
great in an anchorite who slags the
yilest sinner, as when wicked man
Stays o righteous. Lard Eldon said
t"Itis better the law should be certain,
than that every Judge should speculate
upon Improvement OF i!' Coke said !:
.The duty Of tsse Judge is TO declare
the law according 10 ita golden mete.
wand, and notesy the G. ooktd chord Of
discretion. Our own Sharswood said
1T should be certain and stable, else
how can it be known with what safety
could lawyers advise r Lord Kenyon
said 4 can not legislate. but by my
industry, can discover what my pre-
tlecessois have done, and ! will tread
in their footsteps Lord HardWicke
said tThe doctrines of this court
ought to be as Welt settled, aud made as
Iuniform almost as those of the common
law, laying down fxed principles, but
taking care that they are to be applied,
according to the circumstances of each
case.s These doctrines apply as we'll
i to civil as to criminal trials.
T. T. AZ 4. Il l.
scryance of these rules that Judges are
respected as such, aud the people pro-
tected in their rights.
4 Are they apt to be observed when
Judges move out of their assigned
sphere, and place themselves in posi-
4 tions, where their independence is su
bordinateaVe personal obligationsa
We think, that without the shadow
i OF doubt, the Farmers Alliance take,
and have declared the correct view
Iconcerning this matter, in saying that
with them the office shall seek the man,
not the man the Office. Relationship
has nothing whatever to do with it,.
q Have relations any right to presume
chat d Judge may favor them, because
/ blood is thicker than water7 Or, that
/ LNG ILLNESSES BuOUEa DC GUu6C1iV 1tEI ftb-
puted if not real Partially
Judges should take the greatest
pride in presiding clear above the at
mosphere of prejudice and partiality.
III they can not soar above it, theI
should not DO clothed with the Ermine.
We of course speak of reasonable
suspicion
i That they would be entirely indepen-
dent, we are ofopinion they should con-
slider tho Office as non-political posi-
ton, aud accordingly, studiously avoid
placing themselves by their unsolicited
candidacy and electioneering schemes
in an attitude ofobligations to such as
, may be persuaded to support them, be-
lieging that that fact, will receive their
conaiderate attention, should they
chance to come before them,
I The people should rise up IN. solid
columns against any such possibility.
Z They can have no real and reliable
!. security when courts do not feel them
selves free to enforce p,e laws impair
tiaIly. If Judges are Elected BY poll.
tical chicanery, they can but feel q
sense of obligation to such as are their
Il ,linstrusDents ii it. They are but men
i after all PreferEent makes nothing
i else Of tilem, but it oft times develops
|; that ID them, which had it been known
III time, would have defeated theil
/ aspirations.
We think that it weIe wise in the
people to say to al aspifants, stand
/ where you are, aatil we solicit your
/ official services. Fl We see anything in
) you which we believe We Can utilize
!. for our common welfare, ard see no one
I who can aud will sery Us better, w
j will offer you our support. Then, ano
NOT until then need yea LaTaugue us
! or, offer us bribes sthSr than learning
imparliaIity and ofleIs,l Independence
a Reward of $500 has been Offered
] by the State for the arrest and convlc.
) tion Of the mnrderers of Mrs. G. Robert
) son aud her daughter, at st. Martins
Z vile on the night of August 10.
Mi. Octave F0ntenot has a subacrlp.
lion list for the JEFF. Davis monument
! fund started. Call Oh him and pul
down something for this worthy object
For SALE At ii BARGAIN - Buck
eye Reaper aud Binder, G. AllItnai
s. co. Threaher, 8 incl Rotary Pump