Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1836-02-19

bestOwal Of political favours upon the
members of this profession; for, in this
respect, it must be conceded, lawyers
have little cause { complaint; but we re.
fer to the relation which the lawyer sus
tains TO his client and the public.
Some whose opinions on many sub
jects, are entitled to greal respect, enter
tain the opinion that an attorney, il he be
an honest man, will not, and should not,
engage in a criminal case, to make de.
fence Tor one whom he may believe 10 be
guilty Of the crime charged; nor in 'iv.
il case, il he has reason TO suppose his
client the wrong.doer. We have, TOO,
hearsd certain lawyers lnow, dead, Of
course, lauded moslsextrava gantly, be
cause they were said to have refused 10
engage in what public opinion and the
lawyers themselves pronounced bad
cause. Our own views have led US to a
very different conclusion. That must
be very extraordinary case, indeed,
in which, in our opinion, lawyer
is iustifable 10 wrtbholding his services
from party. He cannot be supposed to
kuow--he has no right to know-bdt
from the statement ofhs client, any thing
about the merits ola cause, until after he
may have heard the testimony. Again;
tits the business Of the lawyer 10 prepare
his clients case for trial; and, on trial,
to see that the law is properly admins
tered. Legislation, and judicial decisions
| (lhe growth Of centuries have involved
the administration Of justice in a laby-
rInth ofIegaI refnemeuts and technical
tiles, with which few men unconnecteC
with the profession, can be familar.-
Hence the absolute necessity of attorneys
10 courts ofJustice. We know that poE'
ical cobtIers hold that the law should bC
simpIifed, and the modes of Proceedin!
in courts, reduced to The level Of the hun
besl capacity, and the most ordinary at
tainmenls. To accomplish this, howev
er, it will be necessary that society re-
vert 10 its primitive or patriarchal state
Fur all ! must admit-at least, all, VIII
will reason on the subjecl-1hat the broa
system Of jurisprudence existing in Ihn
OF any other civilized country, is the yer
basis Of government = constitutes all II
esse ntiaI igaments, lis JOINTS and mar
row; and all attempts 10 simplify, WI
rather tend to make complicated, if no
10 overurn that system Itself. He mus
I be bold man, who will venture to la
rash hands upon the joint productions
, the necessity, experience and wisdom
: ages!
: Organized as Governments are, an
n resting as do all our rights of life, libe
II ~ and property, upon constitutions, Irt
isiative acts and judicial ?recedents; Il
y profession of the lawyer IS lndesPensaOi
: and, in our very humble opiuion, VINCE
h er attempts to practice in that pretessIo
a stands pledged to community to ensa
zeaIousIy and faithfully in any caus
h which may be offered for his attention
y # is tot our purpose TO deliver a dIsser'
Il linn on The duties OF an attorney. Cl
= cumstances have recently directed o
q attention TO the subject; and We lifted Il
"a pen to introduce the following just sen
" menis of a distinguished aad learned
' ris,:
"lt is the extension Of that m1xlm
: natural quily, that every one shal!
: heard in his own cause, that warrants
= y admission of hired advocates in courts
!" - Justice; for there is much greater lneq'
20 20 ity in the powers Of explanation and pc
: = spas,on IN The natural state OF the hum
~ mind than when it is improved by e
7" :. cation and experience. Amongst pro
-" sioo i men of established character,
difference in their skill and managem'
!. is generally inconsiderabIe, that the d
30 cision Of the cause depends only upon
u superiority ofthe justice in the rasPec'I
cases Of the lltigaling parties. Hence
Z practice Of an advocate is absolutely n
3 ccssary to the administration of subsla
= tiol Justice. An honorable barrister v
g never misiate either law or facts will
> his own knowledge, but be juslihabIe
urging any argument, whntever may
his own opinion Of the solidiiy or justin