Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-06-05

occurrences and collisions, which people,
10 be neutral and also to assert and defend
ue'r nights ~ established and protected bv the laws of
mature and natous had daily call Tor rerect know,
'ho'e rights, even 10 the most abs,,use learning
40 wen "' Tor great discretion and irmuess in maintain
'S 'ueul ms was done by American statesmen q,
'he eventual safety and honour of their own cnupt,.
ana the acknowledged admiration of every other
hese statesmen were American LAWYERS
me Voiuininous correspondence between onr do
panent oil state and the Br',s. French ministers
'.roogh these years of violence and trouble s sniff
c'en' 10 fePel the charge Of lnteorv in our states
men IL contains ch body Of learned and lucid
upon very interesting topics OF ma on,I law
ano Is worthy ofa careful and repeaed perusaI A.
subsequent period, when our war with Great Bri
| tam vas terminated by the peace OF Gheut the Mar
Iu' 81 ', eiieSey speaking IN the House of Lords OF
e uSso''at;on declared that he al loss 10 &C
CUM 'or he astonishing superiority ofthc American
o' 'he hIiush commissioners, their correspon--
dence and discussions.
How imposing is the majesty of The rawl how "a I'm
"cr GGnliy; how vast her power: how firm and tran
qua her reign. 1t is not by armies and fleets BIZ do
vas'a'on and blood, by oppression and terror, she
MAINTAINS her sway and executes her decrees;-sus-
oy 'uce RedSon and the great Interests Of Dea
She but speaks and is obeyed. Even those WHO may
no, approve hesitate not TO support her; and the ind;.
viuua' on whom her Judgment falls knows that sub
mission Is not only duty he must per)rrn 5ut that
the enjoyment and security of all that is dear 70 hin,
uepeou upon II. mind accustomed to acknoy ledge
no power but physical force, obedience bnt person.
al rear must view with astonIshment feeble ind,vJ,
al StIiS with no parade of strengths surrounded hy
no visible agents of power; issuing his DEGREES with
o'acular authority, while the great and the rich the
iirst anu the meanest await alike 10 perform his will
o more wonderful il to behold the co.ord,n,to s
'erS,ot te same government, yielding their prctan-
o"s " III. h9her influence. The executive, the
aePosary and instrument of power the egisla-
'ure' the very representative of the people rive ,
reSpeeuui acquiescence 10 the judgment of the tr,bu
nas OF the law, pronounced by the minister and ex
pounder OF the law: II is enough for him to saw IN
IS tie opinion Of tie Court and the renotes corner
OF our republic feels and obeys the mandate. ybat
sublime spectacle this is indeed the empire of the
ia" and safe and happy those who dwell within
H-may II be perpetual.
have alluded thus brioJ, TO these -oaifers or c
the puTPo'e OF giving proper elevation to The views
oil the american atCGeCt of law. He pnpst mt orr,
sder myself as the mere drudge of rnerccnary &C
cupation be must not beevc that he does e,on9b f,
himself or his profession if lie qualified to condrct
an action ct debt ejectuent, in their suaI conreo
through court of law; but ne must fix his eve ON
ngher dcst!nles, and important services EJa
must believe that TO his integrity and kpouI.dra ~
talents the best interests of his country NAV bereaf
80 oe ton'lin'ea' and he must prepare himself 10
tuih these dignihed dnties with henor and succeee
lie mns' lay hs foundation commensurate with the
nob'e supers!ructure that is 10 be raised unon !,
a. max STIMULUS 10 rolSe every power exertion
what rich reward is offered 20 perseverance, and IA
ieh'! Inc prize Is not TO be gained by Incidence or
VANITY The student ~ho, feeling The ouickuess nf
ms intellect IN ITS exercise npon lighter subjects and
trusting that he is blessed ~ nh tie rfs . a. nm, 49,
S!ecis me grave ana COM Heated studies OF Che Law
and hopes to find substitute for know ledro i, a.,
ag'y or or'i"ncy Of bis parts Il! end his career in
The most notifying failure aud disappointment While
he Is hguFiHS and flaming round Tie bar of q coprt of
quarter Session and ing all his business and i'm,
poance from ihe - ees and wees OF society. lilo hs
'eSai IeahtG W J be confined 10 few treat : on cr.
NINA! law; his eOQuenec the fIilt. topics ,f ,,i
defence, and LIS profess oua Intercourse 10 the anaT
o! county gaols, lie sill see some more SLOW AMI l.
oonpus competitor who started with Him in the race
whose capacity he probably beId in conieropt naes
ing regularly and surely the high honour: and ON
Lc h.
days and nights 10 the acGuirment of the deem and
various knowledge, which brings strength and fninaas
ana ornament 10 Inc Character and exercise of his
profession and which can be obtained on, by lone
and careful reading, and profound reflection II "a
not enough 10 read the manner Of reading should be at
tended TO- ii vii! not do 10 oyer or even perue
atieDiTeiy, any gwen number Of pages in day IL j..
not 10 heap upon the memory line upon line and case
alter case that viii make lawyer In The study of
'Ae law as ID every Gtber science, there is danrer in
reading too much ard thinking too ic. The puwer of
/ The understanding; the faculty of precise and acpta
discrimination, most essential quality in a LAWYER
may be overwhelmed weakened by referring eye,'
ny thing to the memory, ty constantly collecting and
using the thoughts and opinions Of others and never
consulting our own. The student should freouennv
lay down bis book and, by reviewing What he baS
read, incorporate the subject With bis own mind and
make II bis owD; he examine, aDalyze and test
by bis own reason and understanding, lie opinions and
principles of bis authors: without this bis memory
VIII become an overloaded magazine of pages and ca
seS, wbich be will be unable to apply TO anv nse
The memory. however, IS not TO be neglected II &c
capable OF much improvement by proper cultiya
ton and judIcous exercise Some men COMPLAIN of
want OF memory, when the real falling is the want
OF attention; reading with a WANDERING unset,Ied
mind, instead of fixing il closely and exclusively
on The subject. We seldom entirely forget what has
been iorcioN Impressed, we easily remember what has
greatly interested US "'
II IS not my intention 10 point out any course of
study; tbis you'd require much more time than ujs
occasion would afford, and is not within the limits OF
NY ueSgn' But cannot toIbcar TO recommend,
I loar 10 r,f. trf11fr III
tory study Of lawyer mean elegant literature lhat
which OF The first order, aud formed by the souDdcst
principles OF taste. Without speaking at present Of
ne apcen tnoaeis o. History, Poetry, and Eoquence,
would call your attention TO the DISTINGUISHED class
Ics and scholars OF our language In addition 10 Sisg
sPeai Milton, and Dryden, English library VIII
furnish plentiful and rich materials 10 strengthen and
adorn the mind. The DAYS of Elizabeth And Anne
abound viii writer's Of The first emnence for force