The Northern galaxy, and Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1843-1844, 1843-12-06

I
hnal adieu of the Profession.
In the course of that period of time,
have gone through great variety of pub.
lie offices, among which was the highest
political station that can be conferred by
the people of The United States upon
citizen. And yet, it may perhaps furnish
some OF the younger members of the bar
who now hear me, food for serious med
ltatlon, to say, that if it were now permit.
ted me to pass another life. commencing
in the profession of law, as mine did, and
1t were put to me, after passing three and
a half or four years of the first part of
my life rs lawyer. whether | would pass
the remainder of il as | have done, eatirc-
ly in the public service, and 10 the exclu-
sion of the practice of that profession, or
continue that profession as began, with
such powers as II has pleased the Creator
10 give me, and such industry and integri-
ty in the application of those powers, as
have been spoken of now solemnly de-
clare, that so far as personal happiness is
concerned. would infinitely prefer 10 pass
my life as member of the bar, in the
practice of my profession according TO the
ability which God has given me, to that
life which have led, and in which have
held places of high trust, honor. response.
bility. and-o6ioquy.
say not obioquy, now, for the purpose
of complaint. If it were true, that of all
the public servants Of the United States,
it had been my fortune TO suffer more of
the i'll opinion of the world at various times,
and from the variety of estimation, high
and low, which public servants must un-
dergo-then say, that fit were my fate
to share greater proportion of these evils
than any other man living-the scenes of
the last SIX months, nv reception by my
fellow-citizens of this city alone, and the
prospect now before ME, would more than
compensate fof all.
Brethren ofthe Profession of the Law
Perhaps my estimation of the Profession.
notwithstanding what | have said. may
not be so high as that which many of you
make. So deep is my impression of the
natural equality of mankind. and of the
fundamental rights which that natural
equality confers upon every human being,
that | have been accustomed, and have
accustomed myself, 10 transfer that prn-
ciple Of equality TO all the professions of
men-the honest professions adopted by
men in the great and various pursuits of
life.
1t is common to say that the profession
of the law is the highest, most honorable.
and most digni6ed, that can be exercised
by man. Possibly some of you may think
so. 1t is possible that you may have en-
tered upon the profession with that impress
sion. But that impression is not mine
| do believe that the liberties of a country
depends mere upon the members of the
bar than upon any other profession COM
mon TO man. Yet do not consider it, in
point of dignity, in point of importance,
beyond that of the shoemaker, or the tai |
lor, or the housewright, or mason, or any |
mechanical profession. l consider it not
superior to the profession Of the healing
art, destined to alleviate and remove the |
physical evils of the human race far less |
90 | consider il superior to that profession
which connects man with the future and |
with God.
Perhaps some among you entertain the |
opinion that this profession alone may
have the same claims TO honor and dignity. !
Brethren, my own opinion upon that sub /
ject is,that the profession of divinity stands
upon the same foundation as the profession
of the law. The professors of both are
bound by the laws of nature and of God,
to pass lives of purity and innocence, do
ing all the good they can to their fellow
creatures on earth. And if il is the priv
ilege of the professors of divinity to stand
as mediators between God and Man, it is
equally that Of those of the law TO main>
tain at all hazards, every individual right
conferred upon man, by Nature and God.
| would say, therefore, that we ought to
refer the whole question of the relative
dignity and importance of professions and
trades, TO that sacred principle of natural
equality which is the law of nature between
man and man.
deem il unnecessary to enlarge furth-
er on this subject will not discuss the
right of different classes, to make preten.
sions TO the superiority of their respective
professions. If there is any one profess
ion which can claim superiority over all
the rest, 1t is that of the cultIvator of the I
earth. For him, more than once, that
claim has been asserted. But to MIN | !
should assign precisely equal rights with
all the rest. Because he in numbers |
counts more than all the rest-though his
profession numbers more than ten 10 one
of all others together-I cannot admit
superiority on his part over the mechanic,
the merchant, or the lawyer.
1t is truly an exceedingly agreeable cir
cumstance to me. to receive this address
on the part of brethren of my own pro>
fession. The manner in which it has been |
pronounced-the terms in which the hon.
orable gentleman has spoken 10 you of me
would furnish me language of eloquence,
if language of eloquence were mine, for
the remainder of this day. But this would
put your patience to severe trial.
In reference to that constant and perse-
vering labor, and excitement Of mind, in
illustration of which the great name of