The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-14
THURSDAY, MAY "a, 1903.
LET US HAVE PEACE.

We have n letter from O. correspondent
who suggests. now that Judge Campbell,
of Amherst, has been removed from the
bench, that we review his career and
hold him up to public scorn. In other
words, that we make an assault through
the editorial columns OF this paper upon
private citizen of Amherst who has
recently been retired from Office
This is n remarkable proposition and
shows what q mistaken view some peo-
pie have of the offices of n newspaper.
While Mr.. Campbell was Judge he com
I1iitted a breach of the peace, which we
thought was unbeconling in Judge, and
we criticised the act. subsequently an
Investigation was held and a committee
of the Legislature, which was in sense
a jury, tried the case md rendered n
verdict. This was a trial not OF n pri-
waite citizen, but of a public official, and
we took occasion to express our approval
Of the verdict But on various occasions
we emphasized the fact that 1t was not
Mr.. Campbell as an invididual, but Judge
Campbe.i as n public official, as con-
servator Of the peace, who was on trial.
we insisted that the personal feature
should be eliminated and that only the
official acts of Judge Campbell were to
be considered In this investigation.
The report OF the committee which tried
him was adopted by both branches Of
the General Assembly and Judge Camp
bell was removed He Is now a private
citizen. and for n newspaper to go back
of the trial and indulge In harsh criticism
of the man would be an outrageous abuse
of the freedom Of the press. and would
subject such paper to the righteous in
dignation of all righteous men. If The
,rimes-Dispatch We're capable of doing
such thing 1t would be unfit to live.
So far from feeling any disposition to
make an attack upon Mr.. Campbell, so far
from being disposed to persecute him, our
disposition is to aid him In all laudable en-
deavors and to defend him against per-
secution. 1t cannot be denied that much
personal anmosity was in evidence during
the investigation Of Judge Campbell 1t
was but too plain also that this animosity
was against the man rather than against
the official, and sought the punishment of
the man rather than n mere rebuke to
his official conduct. That sort Of ami
mostly is almost sure to overlap itself.
IT has already had the effect to arouse
sympathy with Judge Campbell. and one
OF the scators made bold to say that he
was most reluctant to vote for the re-
port Of the committee recommending
Judge Camphclls removal, for the reason
that the whole investigation seemed to
him to have been instigated In hatred and
prosecuted in malice. so far from CIV
ing aid .Gnd encouragement to the enc
mics Gf oasoge Campbell. We tell them IN
all Kindness but in all sincerity and
earnestness, that It is time for them tc
stop If as an officer of this Common.
wealth he has offended he has been sc.
verely punished and he has been suiil'
clently punished. 1t would be cruel ant
unrighteousness and unohristian-like nov
that the punishment has been inflicted
upon the official, TO hound and persecuti
the man.
Far be 1t from us TO say one word tina
would add to the suffering Of Mr.. Camp
bell; far be 1t from MS TO say one wore
of encouragement to his enemies; far b
II from us to say one word that woul
IeNd ~ stil Wy Hip'S stiie III tio VIII
~ of Amherst. On the contrary, rs "
have been called upon by citizen o
Amherst to speak, we advise the peopl
of that noble county who are at strf
TO come together in spirit of friendl
compromise and reconcile their difference
and grasp one another by the hand
friendship and bury their anmosity fo
ever and be at peace, IL they Will do In
thing the Campbell Investigation wi
prove to be a blessing to the whole coul
ty and the smile and favor of God viii
upon the community.
Acknowledgement