The North-Carolina standard., 1841-08-18


ease. He perceives when too late how gross are
the praises and injudicious the applause Iavished
upon him by too partial friends. He is fatally
awake to the truth, that the cunning of the de-
magouge may secure short lived reputation,
but ne who has made every department of know
ledge subservient to his ambition can alone ex-
pect an enduring name. Those who have been
here trained are naturally destined to lead pub
lie opinion, and doubtless look to the law which
is the high road to distinction in this country
and which calls into play the highest faculties.
Deeply imbued in its principles and niceties, he
must illustrate them by the images furnished by
general literature which by their freshness and
variety will interest US: like the common mea-
dow which pleases the sight when full of verdure
fruits and flowers He must also possess
knowledge OF medicine an acquaintance with
which becomes important in those that ex
cite the livelest feelings of our nature. Besides
all these, the lawyer if he is aspiring must also
be gifted with eloquence, which, in Republic
like this Is worth every other talent combined,
| and which anywhere will always command sue
cess. Modern Kingdoms have produced but few
great orators In comparison with ancient nations
Each profession has become trade, in which
the midnight student never fails to win The prize
from him whose lively and restless disposition
opposes every thing like methodical research.-
Those bursts of natural and high-souled elo,
quence, those stirring appeals to human weak
ness, so common of old. no longer retain their
influence, or the dull and ploddiLg spirit of the
age is incapable ofappreciating them 1t is evil
dence against the talent or jud gment of our own
Cay. We sometimes now mistake defamation
for eloquence, sophistry for argument, and obsti-
nate Ignorance for resolution. The great mas
ters of this noble art men reared in the strict
ness discipline of the times, versed in every
branch of science They thought with subtlety,
arranged with taste and clothed their conceptions
in teIse and forcible language. Devoid OF cant
and afectation their expressions conveyed nei-
ther more nor less than their meaning There
is no quality which is destined to exert so much
influence over the popular mind of this country.
Every aspirant for its honors should devote
much time to lis mastery. The profession Of
law is the portal through which most of our dis
tinguished men have grati6ed their ambition.-
1t is one indeed above all others where a man Of
abilities can be rewarded for glowing eloquence
and all the arts which ensure solid reputation.
1t proposes the first honors of the Republic 10
its successful votaries and gives him the most du-
rable tenure upon the regard and affections of
the people. To preserve the esteem of others
being the main object of life, what art can be
more worthy Of our devotion than that by which
we hold rod over enemies and offer peace and
pleasure to friends2 Eoquence will throw
shield around US wherever we go. Friends will
admire; enemies fear and trenble while they
curse. To one of generous feeling and lofty
patriotism can anything produce more delicious
pleasure, than the belief that all respect him as
the guardian and protector of his country's
rightsP Whatever Difference he receives what
ever ompliment he obtains, does not arise from
wealth or station, but the fame OF unrivalled and
splendid abilities. All degrees bow to him; the
proud and the humble pay him homage. What
can be more cheering than to see riches, rank
and grandeur, becomes voluntarily slaves to that,
which is superior to all united How must the
heart exult over petty enemies, when conscious Of
possessing treasure which neither parchment
nor paper can confer, which kings can neither
give nor take away. Let me then beseech you
to arm for the struggle, which will elicit all your
energies let me summon each and all Of you
to your country's service Begin early to think
! of the serious business of life. Waste not its
prime in this seclusion, in idle speculation or
Improbable employment Prepare your intel
lectua armor for the conflict ahead Burnish
up each weapon Of attack and each instrument
of defence, to enter the lists with age and ac,
quirements Having practised in your societies
here all the arts Of eocution and argument, come
with confidence TO the disputes of the FORUM en-
Ter The temples of Justice with ardor, make rea-
DIV for contest in which defeat will be no dis
grace and success more than triumph. To re-
cede is now impossible The eyes of partial
friends are directed towards you, and you cannot
disappolnt their fond expectations. Formed
by nature and education to attain high honors.
it would be folly too extreme to leave these bright
prospects and frolic at the foot of the precipice,
when you might ascend to its summit.
To many OF you my young friends who are
ready to exchange the quiet pursuits of this re-
treme1t for the busy turmoil Of another scene,
what so humble disciple as myself in the
great school ofthe world say? But though hum
bic, do remember that the Offering of the poor
pilgrim in the purity of heart overfowing
with good to his fellow beings is gratefully
received as :he most costly present of magnif-
cence. You who have shared mutual joys and
wept each Others tears, have assembled within
these walls perhaps for the last time. A few
brief hours hence, and you will be summoned to
leap that barrier which separates youth from
manhood-which divides the fond anticipations
Of the past from the stern realities of the future
In short period after entering upon the world.
we are apt to complain without reason of the
injustice of mankind, and employ the dialecties
of the schools, sharpened by all the appliances
of belesletters, to excite sympathy for those OBJ
s:acles which not only ourselves but every pre-
cedng generation has been forced to encounter