Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-06-05
AN ADDRESS
nv HUDNIsSS
delivered before The Lao .4cadeaay of philadelphia

AN ADDRESS
Delivered before The Lac .4cadeny of PHILADELPHIA
Gentlemen of the Law Academy of Philadelphia:
In addressing you AT this opening of your session,
rs not my design TO carry you through any learned
dImcult disquisition. 1t will be my more humble
dertakng To present 10 consideration prac-
teal lessons, which may be found useful, DO, only in
your preparation for The BAR but in YOUR subseq uent
progress IN your profession.
When young man enters upon occupation which
10 be the business of his fe, all important that
he should entertain notions of the profession he has
adopted mistake this point NAV misdrect him
IN his whole course. If he elevates his aim too high
or Two low, he will miss bis object and all his efforts
VIII out exhaust his strengths aud onbitter his tsap
pontment. To DO bis duty il is necessary TO know
what Is required o! him; To attain distinction and ex
ceience, he must learn i'll what they consist.
The student of law, in this country who CONNIE noes
ms aooniS with sordd and views; who has no
other object than the profits the profession; and will
DE satisfied ii procures for himself the means of ex-
is'ence may be respectable and useful but he will
never reach the high erninenccs of his calling nor add
any thing to as dignity and III porIance.
II is reProach often visited the profession tba
all It's studies arc technical: that il confines and Cramps
the powers oil tire mind, and cXtnguishes Tue ar1our
germs IN tie dull routine of prescribed opinions ant
operations; that il n:inica to liberal and extends;
views, and hao!atcS TO consider and decide every
question by lbiirarv precedent or artificial rule
rather than by general principles and great results
From hasty adoption Of such opinions it is rassed
almost into maxim, that LAWYER cannot be states
imam. Ibis sentiment is peculiarly acceptable to those
who have erdeap CURED, vain, to become LAWYERS and
mad more easy 10 impose upon themselves and
times Upon Others Tie belief that they great states.
men, with inteiects too gigantic for business which
puts some restraint upon the imagination, and assumes
some guidance OF the alignment. The failure of some
distinguished advocates in England, when they have
tried their strength the hoor Of the Heuse of Com
m ,ns and ming led in the OF politics with the
mighesi of the land, has afforded some ground for this
stigma on the profession Ii is obvious that the argu-
ment drawn from such instances very unsatisfactory
and the premises by means broad enough TO sustain
the whole conclusion Without discussing the cues
ion or The fact, as 1t may exist in that country we are
aitoge Their confident in denying in this. The profess
sion of the lawyer in England is much more technical
than with u.s. It's divisions into various branches and
Jurisdictions may produce higher degree of perfection
in each, bu il certainly dmipisbes tho basis On which
the student is 10 erect Tie fabric Of bis reputation and
by which he Will limit the extent of his kpowIedoe
II confines the movements of his mind in narrower
channels; eogages him in eXetious less diversified and
directs him to fewer objects Of excitement and a,nb
ton Not so in the United States: the lawyer here Is
one day IN Court of Common Law, and another in
Chancery. lie examines and discusses with canal
learning and facility questions every branch OF the
sciences civil maritime. ecclesiastical He sometimes
addresses Judge without jury, and sometimes Jury
without a Judge. There Is no department OF hEfnan
knowledge even to the most Ordinary occupations Of
men, that may not in urn be useful TO him. there is no
variety OF the human character that he NAV Dot on
some occasion, to bis advantage. Every thipp
connected with the nature and business of men NAV
demand his acquaintance and attention The Study If
The constitution and political relatioDs Of his country
at home and abroad; of the great principles OF nterna
tona Law which govern the intercourse of ndenendnt
states, is Indispensable TO every American LAWYER who
hopes 10 tread the loer paths of his profession The
actual state OF country well as lis eXnerence.
the possession and disposal Of all political mower BIZ the
people themselves, and the manner in which they have
chosen 10 entrua it, fully confirm my view Of the sub
ject. II is SO far from being rue in q land of lars
that DO lawyer can be statesman that We have scarce
Iy had statesman who was not a lawyer. Where
there government but by the Lao or rather where
The laio is The Government the ministers of The law viii
have influence and respect, Will be called to aid il,
administering the government, and receive The copfi.
denCe of their fellow citizens in their most honourab Bile
service. Where the will Of the despot is the only rule
OF right, rather tho only rule by which right is deci-
ded-wbere controversy is settled by Tie caprice or
venality OF hasha who instantly executes his Own
sentence, and cruelty Furnishes murtnur of DISC.
bedience would be ridiculous look for profession
whose privilege and duty il TO investigate and ex
pound the law to the understanding OF the Judre-
Who fatbom the depths influence the motions of
absolute power? who can unfold the principles of lis
DEGREES? What is our experience Of the political iii
por;ance Of professioD2 Of six Presidents five
have been lawyers; and the other being who stands
exalted and alone, "unimitacd and inimitable;D who
furnishes example for other men, because none can
hope TO follow him. Our secretaries OF state have all
been lawyers and, generally, the beads Of the other
departments, and foreign ministers. In both houses
Of Congress, the who take the lead in directing
tue desDies of The cation and in managing all its con
Germs, are distinguished lawyers Nor these facts
be evaded By the caunnous pretence thai American
statesman could claim such rank in Europe; and
deficient in the talents and knowledge required of those
who are so esteemed in foreign sate5.-Without gong
back 10 the period Of revolution, in which the Ca
pacy and wisdom Of our statesmen, united With full
aud minute acquaintance with the whole science of
government, and all The abstract questions that arose
iii the controversy enforced by close reasoning and
impressive el0quence, trUmpbed the utmost efforts
Of these disciplined politicians; let but look at the
history Of our country in her foreign and domestic
relations for The last thirty years. Our unexampIed
increase in wealth, power and population, bears con
elusive testimony TO the competency and wisdom OF our
interior government. But rise still higher in con
tenPstI1g our foreign connexions and difficulties
Inc tTench revolution, With its effects and coDseqUen
ces, threw the civilized world into state of unoroce
denied conyO!son; the intercourse held between its
several parts vas Interrupted and changed DOW situa,
nnc r-nr Il. Z