Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-03-03

peoples wrongs-the frat in standing forth
as the defenders Of their rights, and the
holdest and most efficient advocates and
lpioneers OF liberty. HabituaIiy, in the dis.
charge OF professional duties. urged TO the
most varied and toilsomc exercise Of in
tellectuai power, constantly communica.
ting with all ranks Of society exercised in
the art OF moving the heart and giving i'm
pulse to the Passions; accustomed 10
speak an public; impatient to distinguish
thsmselscs. and aspiring TO the honor Of
being inscribed on the list Of orators
these things considered. IL is not surpris-
ing that Lawyers should have been main
~ instrumental in propagating free princi
pies and the rights Of ntan Whoever doubts
that they have. let him turn to the history
Of England and ireland, and Scotland and
France, and our own, country-and will
venture 10 say. that lac will bow in revcr-
ence TO the memory Of the host Of lawyers
who "de>pised the threats Of pain and
ruin." ia their devotion TO the cause of
the people. Turn TO that period in the
history OF France. when, at the gate Saint
Victor. Was seen in sculpture tho enormous
head OF a hon. open -jawcd and vomiting
chains. with which The whole nation was
threstcned--and you will find that those
champions. long disciplined in the severe
combats OF the Bar, armed with assurance.
and tormented by patriotic ambition, rous-
ed the people by their irresistible elo-
qncnce 10 knowledge Of their rights, and
caused them not only TO dislodge from the
gate Saint Victor. that fearful emblem OF
desp"iism and slavery. hut also 10 make
the words " liberty. equality. and the ,c;u OF
The people" resouBd in the ears Of an un-
I ~ Inns nd
ireland. and Scotland. too. for the free
dom which they enjoy. are mainly indebt.
ed to those "who bound the Bar or Sen a te
in their spell" And in this " our own. our
native land"-when these States were
colonies, and tributary 10 Eugiand-when
the greedy Lion OF the distant Isle made
unjust exaetions, and resolved to deprive
our fathers Of their liberties-at that dar k
period when these oppressed colonies ap
pealed with all the touching eioquence OF
injured children to thrir parenf.-aud
England, that cruel mother, added insult
to injury.-who, ask. stood foremost at
this period which tried mems soais ?''--
who first sounded the tocsin Of alarm, nd
lit up the fire of revolution Laryers, -
Twas then the Great Cntaught. our i'm
mortal Henry, with host OF other god
like spirits. appeared, and with the link
ed thunderbolts Of eloquence," electrified
the people and filed the land with the
thrilling notes Of " Liberty or Death (" AZ
ter the war of independence vas ended,
the most difficult Task was yet to be per
formcd-the formation Of such a govern
ment or governments as should be found
best To secure Liberty, Equality, and the
Sovereignty Of the People. 1'bi. impor-
tant task was accomplishment whoever
would know TO what minds he is indebted
for the incalculaLle blessings Of a free go.
vernment. will at least admit that Lawyers.
so far from Being The enemies Of The peo-
pie, are, on the contrary, entitled in a high
degree TO their onfidencc and esteem.
Now. appeal TO every prejudiced
man for the truth OF what I say. Can
there be shadow OF ins,ice-can there
he any reasonable apology. for reproach-
fully assailing and attempting. by insinna
tons the most illihcral, 10 renderth mem
bers OF the Bar odious 10 the people p
Lawyers are neither the cause Of. nor do
they delight in. the distrcsses Of their fell
low citizens. To them The tears Of infan
cy and age, flowing from the unfortunate
victims Of misfortune. have not the sweet
ness OF "stolen waters or bread eaten in
secret" Noi-Prosperity throughout All
ranks Of society is the only lasting and
profitable source OF litigation. Whstthen ?
they are not a privileged sTder; they are
NOT the sristoc raey Of the land--as no class
Of men have less 10 show fer their labor
they are not the knightly sons Of twenty
descents No!-In this land OF liberty
and equality. thank God. the road to pro-
fessional rank Is as reputable and as short
from the yeomaB's cottage as from the
rich mans manor: and many have been
the instances. within my own limited ob
scrvaiion. Of genius breaking through eve
! W difficulty, and reaching. without The aid
of ehnc linn 20 enain en IL di.iinciinn