The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-10-15

cause we are told that a certain parry IN
the legislature has caucussed against
this man? Not at all. We believe that
every honest man who attends meeting
of that description attends with the
purpose, and with the distinct under
standing that he is to hear one side only,
precisely as in the case of grand juror,
in discriminating upon ignoring, or re-
turning a bill of indictment. If that
man be an honest man when he goes In
| to a caucus room, it matters not what
transpires there, he will come out an
honest man, and if he comes out an hon
est man, we fear no accusation which
may be raised there by one side only.
| We fear no exparte accusations. linen
we meet this matter with full under
standing of where it originated, and how
it originated" In discussing the resclu-
ton which had been presented in the SEN
ate of the United States, charging An
| drew Jackson with violation of the
| constitution of the government, notwith-
standing that he eventually put himself
right in regard to the character of that
indignation of the American people never
ceased to pulsate in tones of almost IN
measured denunciation against those pro-
w oN''N1
men up to the very place where that
resolution originated under instructions
to draw around it those black and damn
ing lines which were its just award. The
judgment of the American people, passed
upon high handed act of injustice, per-
petrated by the first tribunal in the estl-
nation of the world-the Senate of the
United States.
If there be any truth in this accusa-
ton, Judge Davis is justified IN taking
the position here that President jackson
took in regard to the accusations OF the
senate: IF | am worthy of condemna-
ton, condemn me fairly and openly-not
covertly."
If perchance you should pass resolu-
ton under a similar irregularlty can
not you foresee, and all of us foresee,
that time will come, when the great
heart of the people of our own State will
demand that like lines shall be drawn
around it, and that it shall stand there as
lasting memento of the infamy OF the
proceeding. We say for Judge Davis,
as General Jackson said, IF have been
guilty of violation of the constitution,
lmpeach and convict me according to the
dictates of that constitution, and l Will
ask no mercy" No delicate ear shall ever
hear a murmuring lisp from the mouth
of this man, if you do this. But we say:
''Do not the other thing! do not violate
the constitution to punish US, DO 1t not
for your own sake. For who is there that
covets position in the future knowledge
of posterity which is enshrouded IN such
black and damning lines.
Referring to the visit of Judge Howard
and Mr. Emery to Judge Davis in his
70
of the sheriff issue, Mr.. Smith said:
'These men were sent there to accom-
plish precisely what, on another memoir
able occasion. was desired to be accom-
plished with reference to another Great
Man, of whom we read that they sent
unto him certain of the Pharisees, and of
the Herodans, to catch him in his words. -
Great applause and calls to order by
President). Pleading against boss rule
and the crack of party whip Mr.. Smith
continued: THAT man does you injustice
who shall undertake to make you repre-
sentatives of party principles and party
power in a question of this character.
He does you injustice who says: You are
to take the responsibility of carrying out
all the pet contrivances that may be sug-
gested to this end. And when they do
that, and ask you to be responsible Tor
them to your several constituents, you
will have the good sense, as the guardians
of that interest and Of that party, to say:
If you have been setting your little mouse
traps for party ends you may bear the
burden of these little despicable con-
trivances yourselves We will not as
sumo them, and write them out on the
shield of our honorable party, and ask
our constituencies to sustain these little
dishonorable contrivances. No, so far as
we are here as party men we come here
to protect the principles and honor of our
party and we will do no such thing as
endorse your little, miserable schemes.
Is not the language of wisdom, of safety
and of duty as party men? Might not
as a partisan we'll demand for the safety
of my party that this course should be
taken by law?
Mr.. Smith placed the issue as one
squarely on the act of the people in pass
ing the constitutional amendment. He
said: '+Who are most Interested in this
matter? Are you the parties? Is even
Judge Davis most interested? Are not
the people of the State more largely in
terested than all this gathering here?
The otfense of Judge Davis, taking it
in it's most simple terms, is an opinion
honestly given, that the people had taken
back to themselves portion OF the power
previously invested in the hands of the
executive branch of the government. 1t
was decision in favor of the power of
the people. The decision said, that its
people have ordered that the government
shall cease to exercise that power over a
certain class Of officers. And now Mr..
Emery comes forward with his counsel
and SAYS: You must obey the voice of the
governor and disregard the voice of the
people.
The reply of Judge Davis was substar-
TALLY: Not that | respect the governor
less. but | am bound to respect the voice
of the people more; for they have pro-
nounced that from this time forward the
governor shall no longer have control
over the Office of sheriff. and from and
after December last the people shall
have the whole and executive power of
filling it.
If there be error in this matter on the
part of Judge Davis, which l do not ad-
nit. it is error on the side of the people.
And who is there ready to condemn an
honest error, when that error is commit
ted on the side of the people, and against
the aggregation of power in the hands Of a
single man? Have we forgotten the teach
ings of our fathers? When this govern
ment was formed in three distinct de-
| partments, in perfect independence
A, JoSont ,,ocifio,, 1c