Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-12-10
'RosTBURG, MD. DECEMBER 10, 1892.


articles, presumably from the pen Of Mr..
Robinson, which reflected upon the judicial
fairness and honesty Of Hon. Henry W.
Hoffman, associate judge Of this Fourth
Judicial Circuit of this cumberland
NcrS
The case is followed on down to the
point where
hi. friends have started petition in circlI-
latiOn asking the governor to pardon his
otfense, and restore him to bis family. one
of the reasons alleged for executive clemcncy
is curious to say the least Of it. 1t is rs
follows;
Scco"d-That the otherwise unque>tioncd
personal and judicial integrity Of Judge Hon
man, does not need the vindlcation implied
by Mr.. RobinSOn's imprisonment and fine.
No one has asserted that the conviction Of
Robinson was in the nature of Il vindication
of Judge Hoffman. There was nothing in
Judge HolImans official conduct that needed
or called for vindicatihn in the slightest
particular. Robinson was convicted of
wantonly. ignorantly perhaps, assaiing the
integrity Of the Co"rt, and Of imputing to its
judicial character suggestion of unfairness
sustain by proof, and which, if allowed to go
unrcbukcd, was calculated to bring the
administration of justice into contempt and
destroy the Sanctty of the very palladium of
our liberties.
OF contradictions this is the boss.
The Ne,r~ argues straight along exactly
in line with the "curious reason and
then, by mere change Of terms,
denies that Robinson is in Jail for that
reason.
Then the Mars calls the courts "thc
very palladium of our liberties"
And yet when they are SIandered
punishment therefor is not to be es-
teemed as vindication. What else
is it What else can it be?
1t was Blackstone. we believe. who
wrote of "the right Of trial by jury as
the palladium of our liberties" but to
be such the methods Of selecting
the jury must be not only not
impeached. but above all criticism.
Otherwise, the jury is not Il palladium.
1t came to pass. therefore. that
statesmen. less ancient as jurists than
Blackstone. have spoken Of 1.-THE lib
erty of the press as the palladium Of
our libcrties.''
But before the "Hberty Of the press"
appeared 1.-THE right of free speech" as
another palladium Of ou liberties.'
And early last summer when Rev.
Thomas Dixon impeacheda New York
Judge and was indicted, Mr.. Nichol,
the district attorney, declined 10 pros
ecute on the ground that it is better TO
let the palladium of free speed"
overdo the thing than put any pal
ladium on trial to establish its para
mount right as a palladium
And so it might have been judicious-
ly esteemed in Robinson's case.
But he is in jail for foollshly over
shooting his mark, and the funny part
of the business now is--he is impenitent.
and apologies are in order.
Is this required of Mr.. Spencer?
And of Mr., Archer
Why, for fear that Mr.. Spencer is an
unsafe custodian of his own conduct.
he will be required to leave the State.
Ard what would an apology by Mr.,
Archer amount to In fact, here is
man who ought to be mule to confess
all, or be left to die where he is.
Yet the cold-blooded murderer and
the great thief must be let off without
penitence or acknowledgment, and Mr..
Robinson, the indiscreet penman, must
say guilty, and | wont do 50 any
more
The Ners asks this question
Is not the movement for pardon being en-
ginecred by some persons with the object of
causing his virtual escape from the con-
sequences of his otfense to appear like
defiance of the Judgment Of the Court?
1t may look that way in the Netos'
office, but out here in the free salubrity
Of the everlasting mountains. Natures
types of hberty's towers of defense.
the movement is one which combines
charity for impolicy and an infexible
determination to relinquish no jot or
little Of the peoples Unborn and free
born right to criticize their agents on
the bench and their servants under the
bench.
The JOURNAL has not Il word to say
against Judge Hoffman. nor IA word in
favor Of Mr.. Robinson. 1t is only con
cerned on this point-that the in
tegritv Of each palladium is vital
to the others. If one errs, it must
not be forgotten that all are faIlible.
If the Court is injured by free
press, it must be remembered on
the other hand that society, made mp
of the soverelgns OF free speech, is
often outraged by the palladium which
emancipates malefactorS from the
charge and punishment of guilt.
The JOURNAL has as much respect
for the courts as anyone. AT the same
time it indulg es no fusome adulation
of their powers. privileges and digni-
ties. These are all night in their way.
but to command popular respect, they.
like all other institutions, must deSerre
rpSppct When thpv hacomo Snrnanc