Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1843-10-04
MISCELLANEOUS
LAWYERS.

we nave once Or tWtCc diICauy CApecss-
ed our views, shortly. in regard to the
moral obligations OF Practitioners Of The
Law. While we know no character so
worthy OF esteem as the able. opeu. up
right, liberal Lawyer, OF all small crea-
tures the Pe,tifogger is to US the very
smallest, aud If criminal. be is the most
criminal, because be does wrong, when
his education peculiarly fits him TO know
right. The Lawyer, who is knave. IA
90 from deliberate calculation and preme-
ditared choice, md hence, from lhe nature
oil his profession, which deals 10 iortr:s and
scehnicaliiies remote from common appre-
hension, ne is the most dangerous Of all
knaves. 10 no pursuit are tho temptations
to roguery and meauness 50 stea, as in The
Las, nor IN anyis il so easy to hide them
from the detection Of all but Lawyers, {,
hence none has been ever 80 distinguished
greatness, and finished rascaiiiy. The
osIy safety for The public, wheo they End
out a knayish Lawyer. is to mark aud
crush him with the weight of general
scorn. Once lie betTay,, lei him never b.
trusted again. We invite attention to the
following remarks of an eminent Judge
now living, which bo:h Lawyers aud
Clients would do well to lay up. They
will bear reading over many times.
From Me London Legal Observer.
DUTIES OF ATTORNEYS.
The following charge Of MIR. Justice
Willis, in the Supreme Court al Mel
bourne, respecting the duties OF an alior.
new, is extracted frum the Sydney Herald
Of 25in May last:
IL have unfortunately more thau once
had occasion 10 censure the conduct of
some of the attorneys of this couH, a.t
have recently been compelled to strike oae
OF the rolls Tor refusing to explain certain
TRANSACTIONS with his client. wnich appear
ed to ,n- dishonorabie aud unjust. Il may
be we'll, therefore, i'll avail myself Of this
occasion. whsn applications have been
made by gentlemen 10 practice in that
branch OF the profession. caEddIy to stale
what conceive to be the duty OF an at
torney, solicitor aud proctor at this court.
4 repudiato the common doctrine thai
IL is meri,orious IN u lawyer alike iniiexi.
bIy 10 support the cause Of his client, be il
good or bad. An attorney ough, think,
10 the utEos, Of his ability, to acquaiu,
himself With the merits Of everv case in
which he ia consulted. He should dis-
courage suits fnr frivolous aud trivial de-
mands. He should never attach himself
70 persons who, from prctended zeal
sgains, imposition or OPPRESSION, or
through periinaciuus humor aud an un-
reasonable jealousy Of their most minute
rights. are involved in perpetual conien-
;ion. He should not, in delereuce TO a
wealthy or powerful client. much less for
the sake Of gain, under take q cause which
does not appear TO be just, except The fact
on which the merits turn, IS uncertain, or
the construction of Law is doubtful aud
less siii! should be support the best csuse
by falsehood, Or psevarieatlon, or suppress.
sion Of the truth, or by laying ar undue
suess ON suspected evidence. lie ought
noi to encourage. or (if avcidablel produce.
bold and daring witnesses, disposed 10
make free wiih truth, that 'hey may ensure
victory. He should never overawe nof
iutimidate the adverse party. ar take an
advantage Of IA oversight in his counsel
or Attorney, I" Ot Ndut Va tut H tu t'C
pleadings, unless where he stands on tie
defensive, aud The attack on his client /,
VIGOROUSLY injurious. He ought no' to
mis!ead nor impose Gu the court, If in hi,
power. nor prolons the cause, nor enhance
tho costs, though at the expense Of his ad-
ysrsary; no rappeal fretn adeeisioa, unless
be 10 persuaded in bis conscienee, and ad.
yi,ed by bis counsel. iha; (whai may some.
times happen through The fa!libili,y OF all
hunan judicature) the determinations i.
erroneous in poiu. OF substantial justice.
In all athef cases as soon us Judgment Il
given; or the decree pr,nounced. nc shouie
persuade his client 10 arquiesce nay. i
while the sui, is depending. he receives
conviction that his clients demandor de-
fence is i!I.fouuded. he should advise hin
To drop tho suii and agree with iis adyer
sary; and II such adversary be poor, OF
has been injured BY having bis just rigd