Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-12-01
Let Justice be Done.

The Washington Historian is, as its
name indicates, publication devoted
to preservation, in durable form, of the
early historical events of the State of
Washington. The first number beals
date of September, and the promise is
made that it will appear quarterly I'M
til the data in possession of the State
Historical Society are, by publication,
verified, or modified to conform to facts
10y the testimony OF living witnesses
and placed for saie-keeping in the his
torical archives OF the State.
Among the contributed articles to
the first number is an autobiography
OF John Briscoe, of Pacific county, in
which that gentleman, unintentional
ly no doubt and by bare intimation,
does an injustice to the memory of his
illustrious contemporary and political
associate, Judge 0. b. McFadden, at
that time Chief Justice of the Terrific
rial Supreme Court.
The incident, as related by Mr.. Bris-
coe, is as follows:
In 1859 | was again elected to the
Legislature. Before the close of the ses-
sion we received President Buchanan's
last message, in which in substance he
stated: You can't secede, but if you
do secede there is no help for it," |
had been Democrat and worked with
the Democratic party up to this time.
Was asked by Judges McFadden and
Strong my opinion regarding the mes
sage. told them 81 thought Presi-
dent Buchanan a id traitor" They
said it would not do for me to talk that
way, as | was one of the prominent
Democrats of the Territory. answered,
" If Democracy is treason, God forgive
me. If have been following a fatal de-
luslon would tack ship right there. i
wanted it distinctly understood that !
was for my country all the time. If she
were wrong, right her, not destroy her."
Whether it was Judge McFadden or
Judge Strong who administered the
rebuke for intemperance of language
MIR. Briscoe does not state, nor is it
positively asserted that either of the
gentlemen were in accord with the ap.
parently seditious language of the
President. 1t will be noted that there
is no pretense made OF quoting Ian
guage that would justify such con-
clusion. Whatever the utterance was,
it was probably no more than a eau
ton for suspension of judgment un-
IT, the policy of the administration, so
ambiguously expressed, had been made
more definite and clear. There is,
however, conveyed by innuendo, some
doubt of the position of those gentle.
man on the only issue that soon there
after developed, of Union or is.Union,
which subordinated, and for the time
completely obliterated, all questions OF
a partisan nature. Speaking for Judge
McFadden, who the writer knew well
from daily association, the assertion is
made unqualiiedly, that he was, from
the first, a firm and staunch supporter
of the Union cause. He signed the
first call issued for a citizens meeting
to pledge support of all war measures
of President Lincoln for suppression
OF rebellion. The meeting was held in
the capitol; Judge McFadden presided
and made the Introductory address, full
of patriotic fervor. This meeting was
held early in 1861, and was the key
note of the loyal attitude maintained
by the Territory towards the general
government during the whole war, as
was exemplified by the defeat of speci-
fic contract bills introduced at each
session of the Legislature to nullify the
legal tender value OF the national green
back currency, and many other acts de-
noting unquestionable fidelity to our
flag and country. The rank and file of
the Democracy of Thurston county,
then the hub of the Territory, POLITICAL
ly and otherwise, was under the leader.
ship of such stalwart moulders of pub
lie opinion as Judge McFadden, Gen.
Stevens and Judge Henry, aided by
many valiant ar-Democrats in other
parts OF the Territory. Governor, af-
forwards General Stevens, died from
rebel lead, while CALAMITY leading his
regiment, the 10Th N. y. Highlanders,
at the battle OF Chantilly, and Mr..
Henry spent several months in recruit
ing troops for the Union army. That
there were few secessionists here, as
elsewhere, is not denied, but that they
were powerless in number and for lead
ership was direct result of the timely
stand taken by the leading representa-
tives of the party, at the head of whom
stood the commanding form of Judge
McFadden. This fact, fortunately, it
is not yet too late to verify by testimo.
ny of the living.
When such praise-worthy record is
assailed, let us see to is that justice is
done and due honor accorded.
DECADENCE OF ONCE THRIVING
CITY.-It is said that The Dalles, at
one time far in the lead of Oregon
cities, has by the change of transport
tation routes been reduced to the con-
dition of hamlet, and the end is not