The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-01-29

belonged to that profession. The power Of prece-
dent is all controilng things they have been
and things as they are, is the end and aim of his
political existence; things as they should be, he
utterly abomlnates as dsorganizing; as radicalism
and agrarianism. When the producing classes
become intelligent enough to appreciate their
own highest nerests-when the Farmers and
Mechanics shall have sufficient selr-respect to
make honest labor dignifed and honorable, they
will select their lawmakers from among their
own ranks and not from those who take their cue
from Westminster Hall, in Old England. When
a lawyer can point to single effort he has ever
made in the cause Of progressive humanity,
will waive my objections to his taking seat in
a legislative hall. Perhaps it is right for them
to legislate exclusively fur the benefit of the
rich-the poor can beg.
While Lawyers make the laws, the tempta-
ton will be too strong to be resisted, TO prove
them SO intrica,ely that none but Lawyers can
explain them. Law expounders should never be
allowed TO become law makers.
The practice too of the legal profession, is in
consistent with pure morality or strict cOnscien-
uousness. When men are in the daily habit of
espousng any cause for fee, defending the right
from the wrong indiscriminatey, making the
same effort to free the most hardened william from
the just punishment of the law, as to redress the
most grevious case of oppression and Injustice
1t is not be expected that their political virtue
will be of sterner more incorruptibie charac-
ter. 1t is startling fact that every demagogue
who has ever betrayed his political party, belong
ed to the legal profession. He was in the previous
habit of espousing the cause of the client who
promised the largest fee. without regard to the
merits of the case, and he was easily induced to
play the traitor-.for a consideration
From my first entrance upon my editorial ca
reer until the present hour, have labored with
unfiagging industry in behalf of the interest of
than rNI,, al A.
millions. have never seen the day or the hour,
for the last fifteen years, when was not ready
to sacrifice every pecuniary hope could have
advanced the progress of their cause by so doing.
To great extent, have toiled utterly in vain ;
it has been nearly for nought that have spent
my strength and sacrificed my repose as well as
the favor and friendship of hundreds of those
whose good opinion is of incalculabe value
The Working classes do not respect themselves !;
they neither ,oiN stand up for their o,cn rights,
nor for those cho arc periiling their all in Ia
boring in their cause. They allow themselves
to be made the willing dupes of political knayes :;
although their interest is one and the same thew
blindly allow themselves to be split up into oppo-
site factions at the polls at every election, they
throw the rope over the house and then begin to
pull at each end, instead Of all pulling at the
same end, and all pulling one way; the natural
consequence is, they enjoy but little better po-
stlon in society than beasts of burden They
are CONTEMPORARY called the lo,cer classes -
and submit to these degrading epithets, with
patience that even Job might envy; crouch be-
meath the ponderous burdens imposed upon them
by an upstart arstocracy, with the accomplishing
submission of the mute camel and then on every
fourth of July, throw up their caps and shout for
liberty and independence! Was there ever
more ridiculous mockery witnessed by civilized
beings2 Too ignorant to know their rights, or
too baseiy subservient to dare maintain them and
yet they call themselves " free and enlightened I"
There are exceptions to be sure-but only enough
to prove the business of the general rule
Friends and patrons-ny labor is done. May
that blessing which maketh rich aud addeth no
sorrow with it, be yours to possess both now and
forevermore. The recollection of the generous
Kindness which you have hitherto extended to
me. will have an abiding place in my heart until
It's pulsatipns shall cease forever. To each and
to all of you, bid an affectionate farewell.
THEOPHILUS FISK.
Washington City, Jan. 10, 1886