Few of us, I assume, would seriously suggest that the judicial department is to be above criticism, or that it is to be deemed sacrosanct so that we must bow and submit in silence, without the right of challenge, criticism, or censure, to whatever the courts declare to be law. Such a view would be absurd. Of course, judges make mistakes as the wisest and best men make mistakes. They are not infallible. But neither are our legislative bodies infallible, nor is the crowd. There must be the fullest liberty of criticism and if need be of censure of our judges as of all other public officials. Fair and just criticism, however, would be distinctly educational, and it could tend only to restore the courts to public favor and confidence. The danger is not in freedom of criticism, but in unfair and unfounded criticism supported by distorted or false statements. Our judicial system is inherently sound enough and strong enough to withstand and overcome any fair criticism. We should, therefore, encourage the fullest discussion of judicial decisions in constitutional cases in order that constitutional principles may be adequately explained and the necessity for the observance of constitutional morality brought home to the people. Let us, however, insist that the facts be truthfully stated. If the reasons and principles of justice which support most of the decisions criticized could be explained to all classes in simple language and in terms intelligible to laymen as well as to lawyers, much of the misapprehension of judicial decisions and prejudice against the courts and constitutional restraints would be dispelled. To tell the man in the street or in the workshop that a statute is in conflict with the guaranty of due process of law or of the law of the land, conveys no meaning to his mind; yet, if he understood the fundamental principles involved and the consequences of disregarding them, he might be persuaded of the justice and propriety of the decision under discussion. I shall call your attention to a few examples of alleged abuse or usurpation of power by the judiciary, and endeavor to show the characteristics of much of the criticism of the judges and the manner in which the masses are being constantly prejudiced and inflamed against the courts.