Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-03-20

!. Correspondence Of the Journal y cOmmsree.


WASHINGTON, Feb "a, 1915.
With all rejecting persons it is subject of regret
that greater number Of practical not found
IN Congress, and in the Legislative Halls of the
States All political preferment seems TO run almost
entirely IN favor of LAWYERS. Lawyers for every
thing. For Collectors of Customs, for Commercial
Agents and foreign Coasuls for Guardians of Institu
tons, FOR the spfead Of useful knowledge, for the
heads of all sorts of places where fees are good.
have prejudice against the legal profession such
An enlightened iurist is always justly considered
man of learning and influence. But how many Of the
legal profession, who neither Jurists States
men, press themselves forward into public Offices.
The most wise and distinguished assemblage Of
men ever convened this continent, was that which
met In convention and declared our Independence Ii
had fewer Lawyers in it. than any body Of men which
has ever since been convened of the same magnitude
for any political purpose whatever. The slgners OF
the Declaration OF Independence were mechanics,
shoe-raakers carpenters, of every variety OF me-
chanica pursuits, farmers, and merchants self-edu-
Gated men,-nen Of strong common sense, keen and
accurate observation, enlarged views-perfect ed by
much practical experience Such men are always
safe and reliable men men who look at the right
without dwelling the expediency of doing wrong.
At the present day we look in vain for such in
the halls of Legislation. They appear few and far
between. Their places are filed To some extent by
a race Of mere surface Lawyers,--men who think
there Is scarcely any thing worth knowing beyond the
Common Law Of England and the Statute Laws Of
their States. Instead Of knowing approaching
other knowledge and pursuits, they study metaphysics
to gaa sub,lety Of reasoning to gain the power of
cOnounding truth with error that they may at will
appear on either side and be successful.
The thing is worked in this wise. lad with some
ambition, hearing no man ever reaches TO political
preferment, unless it be lawyer takes it into his
head 10 leave the Grammar School, and enter upon
the study Of the Law. He is soon admitted to the
bar, and commences his career by speaking at debat
ing societies and delivering Fourth Of July Oratons
These efforts Of course develope idea topic
but from his ppancy Of the tongue, the people begin
to think there may be something in him, and conclude
to entrust him with some business. He mounts a
horse with pair of saddle bags, and commences rid
ing the circuit few fortunate cases before stupid
Jurors. who prefer to let small rogues escape rather
than lnfict punlshments get him circuit rep
utatOn of good Lawyer. He now begins TO earn
bare support. He however is filled with tie ambi-
ton of being great man. He runs for the Legsla-
ture to which he is elected by the aid Of few stir
ring stump speeches and hot barbecues In this new
field Of his rising greatness, he speaks all subjects
and at every possible opportunity, during the whole
session. He is next put in nomination for Congress,
the great high goal Of his ambition. BY the same
appliances which sent him TO the Legislature used
with a little tact a larger scale, he reaches
seat IN Congress Here he finds he Is great in some
degree, by comparison. But he meets with many
brother chips who have assembled the same steep
cent by precisely similar MEANS and who equally
OF as hIlI-
self, that they look with lenency each others ig-
noance and want of Legislative qualifications. They
have not been in Congress long, before they lose the
practice they LETT behind and have nothing TO fall
blck upon for support. Hence, they become dcspe-
rate oiiceseekers; lose all independence and be-
come ready to lend themselves to the support Of any
man, or any set of measures provided they thereby
can obtain lucrative Office. So they are
provided for others stand ready by scores TO the
same career.
There is not village, probably, of any size in the
United States which does not contain bakers dozen
of young students of Law, all of whom are expecting
to reach the Presidency, something very little short
Of it. Thus the people themselves the continual
/ dupes Of young men eloquent" without knowledge
presumPtuous without experience; and conceitedly
learned without understanding the first principle of
Craftsmanship, being destitute of the capacity, in
many instances of rising above the level of me-
diOcrity.
What can practical men expect from the legislation
of such persons What can result, but ill-dige.;e6
ill-advised legislation, commercial and other i'm
portant interests Circuit State Courts, and stump
iunketing, not favorable Schools in which to cdu-
cate Statesmen.