Evening journal., 1907-10-09
JUDGE PENNEWILL,S SPEECH
AT JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION

characteristic Is an all-consuming de-
sire to win. IL must be admitted that
such a masterful. all conouering spirit
is neither beautiful nor good, and yet
It is the thing that has contributed so
much TO the making of a rich ana
powerful nation, strong at home and
respected abroad.
q sometimes think that perhaps 'he
pace of the modern life is so rapid wc
are losing sight OF some Of the sterling
qualities and virtues of other days. old
things have LARGELY passed away. All
things they say are new, and better
than. the old. but is it in every sense
true?
Must Have Honest Bench.
1T viii not. trust. be considered
immodest or Inappropriate If I shall
say a word in respect TO that class of
our fellow citizens whom ! so feebly
represent. Judges sometimes try
other persons. but the bench itself is
always on trial at the bar Of public
opinion; and never more so than now
"There is no brighter or fieroer light
than that which shines about a judgei
and there is no one from whom more is
expected in respect to honesty Of Office
is none too high, the test none too
severe. And I submit that while few
may have fallen from time to time, the
great number have fairly stood the test
and the people are not ashamed.
"There is nothing more necessary in
constitutional government, and espe-
cially in our own, than an honest, cap
able and fearless bench. II was never
more necessary than now. II is rather
expected that in times of excitement,
when the minds and feelings Of the
people are aroused, that other persons
may yield for a time TO the pressure
of public opinion whether right or
wrong; but the waves of popular favor
or disfaVor should never shake the
bench. There is but one thing for
Judge to know and that is the law.
There is but one power to which he
should ever yield and that is his en-
lightened conscience--his conviction Of
thefright. believe the courts Of this
oonntry have hitherto enjoyed the con-
fdence of the people ~ a marked de-
gree. believe there have been times
when the people have relied upon the
integrity Of the bench as upon nothing
else. But I am sure Of this, that IL
such confidence should ever be lost or
seriously impaired, il would be the most
fatal blow ever inflicted upon free gov
ernment and republican institutions.
Men Of Virginia, II your state had
never done anything else it would oe
an everlasting honor that she furnish
ed for the country and the world
Chief Justice Marshall Let us trust
that the Constitution he so ably ex-
pounded may live and be cherished as
fondly and long as his nlustrious
/ name
All Can Be Honest
at is not possible for every Judge
to be distinguished or renowned. But
il is possible for everyone to be honest,
diligent, faithful and true. Such | am
sure have been the judges Of my own
State in the years that are gone. II is
always a delight to recall the names Of
Clayton, Harrington, Gilpn and the
rest who have made our reports lumi-
nous with their clear and learned ex-
positions Of the law. Splendid lawyers
they were, and men, in love with their
work for its very self. Their best mem .
orials consist in the high regard with
. which they are still cherished, and the
able opinions that perpetuate their
names. They fixed the standard high
for the bench of future years, and il is
our chief concern that such standard
may not be lowered, such reputation
may not be lost.
although the country was never
more prosperous than new. or more at
: peace with all the world, yet there
is a general feeling Of apprehension
and unrest. The people wonder what
the future is to be- 1t is surprising
that in an era of such unexampled
prosperity there should be so much
foreboding Of trouble and distress.
False prophets abound. strange opin-
ions are in the air and the minds of
the people are much disturbed.
Need Common Sense.
"A very estimable and intelligent
gentleman is reported to have said
from this platform that the Federal
Constitution is a worn-out and use
I less thing. I cannot believe the re-
port is true.
"Sueh an idea would be a most dan
gerous one to instill into the minds Of
the people to- day and especially the
young. The Constitution is the su-
preme law Of the land, and as such is
entitled to the highest respect Of every
citizen. The cure for present evils is
not to be found in shaking the conf
. dence Of the people in their organic
law, but rather in fostering for II a
feeling Of admiration and pride.
"lf ! we're asked to name the one
thing that this country needs to-day
more than anything else, ! would say
a baptism Of common sense.
"But ! have an abiding confidenes
in our government, and in the disore-
ton and good sense Of the great body
, Of the people in whom Lincoln had Sc
much faith"
$1.00 to Baltimore and Return
I lSnndaN Ocinhar Ia. via Pannsvlvania