The news & observer., 1901-02-24

try has felt It necessary 10 make solemn
declaration against government by in
junction. We have felt the power OF a
Federal Judge from South Carolina lie
enjcined the constituted officers of this
State from levying taxes on powerful
corporations. (Applause.) The usurpa-
tiOn of power by judges must be stopped.
1t is more to be dreaded today than the
advanced of an imperial army. cloud ap-
plausc.
IF this supreme oligarchy can fa2rant-
ly and imperiously destroy the statutes
of this State one after another. what has
become of the government by the people?
DO these judges axpect that they can
forever continue in their unprecedented
usurpations and never be stopped? DO
they think that they can tear down one
after another every rule of law and every
statute that conflicts with their partisan
viii. and that no one will say to them,
nay? They cannot foveyer Shield them
selves behind this veil of sanctitv with
which false sentiment has protected
the courts. (Applause) The time has
come when the temple must be purified
and the sacreligious priests must be
driven out. If what we have seen dur
ing the past two years is in accordance
with the law and the Constitution. then
indeed is this government, with its boast
ed institutions and three coordinate in
pedent branches come to naught.
ut is poor player that struts and
frets his hour upon the stage. and then
IS seen no more
at is a tale by an idiot full of sound
and fury. signitying nothing
tornorrou and tOnOrToEV fo-
morrow. craeps in its petty pace from
day to day till the last syllable of re-
corded time, and all our yesterdays have
lighted fools the way to dusty death.
FIRST AND HIGHEST DUTY.
eve are here to protect our Constitu-
tion. That is our first and highest duty.
There is no politics in this proceeding.
We have not allowed politics to be dragg-
ed into it, The official heads of the Re-
publican party has denounced this pro-
ceeding as wicked, and declared that II
was instituted for the purpose of pack
ing The Supreme court TO consummate q
scheme Of disfranchisement. In the name
OF ever honest man in this Legislature,
in the name OF our great constituency.
I denounce that as vile SANDER. (Ap-
pIause) If The Supreme court, as pritch-
ard and Pearson and Linney have inti-
mated. intend to declare our amendment
unconstitutional, that this court has been
| packed for that purpose. it ought to be
unpacked. (Applausc.) We adopted that
great measure. After thirty years OF
struggle we came up to il through trib-
ulation and tears and heroism. The peo-
ple Of this State ordained as amid fire
ana trumpet voices that it should be a
! law unto us and to our children, that
| il should bring peace and good govern
ment and q feeling of security and
when Pritchard and Pearson throw that
down before this House as guage OF bat
| tie we pick it up. we will defend it, we
will maintain it at all hazards. We Will
! strip from the shoulders of unworthy
| Judges the crmine that was worn by
| CASTOR and Battle and Merrimon, and
| Smith and Ruffin. the great judges and
chancellors whose learning and virtues
have adorned the judicial history of the
English speaking people. Cloud ap-
| plause).
eve may build monuments to the great
men of the rast: we can best honor our
! fathers by preserving the institutions
| which they have left us In stern con-
demnation of this crime against our law
in dutiful respect of our fathers whose
traditions have been ignobly thwarted, in
| the name Of the Constitution which has
| been outraged--of the laws trampled down
of peace destroyed. Of the will OF the
people crushed to earth. and in the name
of the Heavenly Father whose service is
perfect justice. ! demand that David NJ.
| Furches. Chief Justice of North Carolina,
! md Pnberf NJ Douglas Associate Justice
of the Supreme court of North Carolina.
| be impeached of high crimes and misde-
meanors in office" cloud and prolonged
| anDlausel,