Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-03-31
THEM "HARD KNOCKS"

TO THE Enron OF TIE TELEGRArH:-
For several numbers of your paper you have
taken much plins TO deuouncc the legal profession
and bring that calling into disrepu;e.
For one, | hold it to be inst as slanlcrous and
neXcusabe to attack profession. 1t is the pri-
waite character OF an individual II one member OF
Community wantony attacks the character of an
other member, unless for good cause and for a
justiiiabIe end the laws of our country hold the
calumnator responsible. The conductor then of
public paper should not be secured by any eJto.
rial shield That he has thrown around him, but if
coorjGcdby the good sense of the readers Of hi,
paper as guilty OF either venting his spleen against
the profession of law, spending an unusual guam,
tity Of gas upnn a llyorjte hobby.
1t is very easy TO make charges against one man
or set of men. Charges OF rejecting nature
never should be made without proof OF some kind
To say that the people in danger ofhaving their
rights jcoparlized by a representation of the legal
profession in their legislature or convention. is
an easy thing--but let us have the reasons why
This clash of citizens are more or less representa-.
tivcs (not because they happen TO be lawyers, how
evcr) in our legislative nails in every state in the
Union, as well as the Nation Now, Mr. Editor,
point the undersigned to law that bears upon its
face the sembancc of scllishucss or Individuality
But we need 60 no further than our territory
Every session of orr legislature has had It's usual
proportion Of members Of the cgal prolesson.-
Where is the exemption of the lawyer from tax
II
duty Where is the exemption from the burthcus
Of supporting government in all lis notifications in
common with every citizen Again, where is the
law that throws It's weight into the scale in favor
of the members OF the legal profession enjoying the
cndcwments of Office Where is the record o! the
existence cf such law or even the introduction
of bill Of the kind in our legislature challenge
the proof.
1t is a peculiar feature in tins Republic, in all
the organic well as the statute OF every state
in the Union, that no partialIty should be extended
by law to any profession creed trade or pursuit and
that all should be placed upon the same footing
In monarchial governments, the distance between
the throne and the peasant can never be leSsencd
while here, il l may use the comparison the re,
verse often takes place The greatest of or states
men, iurists and philosophers were once poor me
chanics, and got their bread by the sweat of their
brow. 1t IS not wealth, title and appliances OF
friends that should elevate to office but quaIiica
tons and character. Our government is sci adj
justing an only needs to be let alone The
great difficulty Is we are governed too much. Ii
the people elect lawyer, priest physician, editor,
or any other trade profession. 10 represent them
in the Legislature, and the person is smart enough
to deceive all the others and instead Of working
for his constituency. wor; for himself it is an
easy matter TO elect hTn to keep at home the next
session, and choose some other person.
For my own part, want to see the .tiftcst man
elected, let him :" lie a drawer of water or
newer of stone farmer, carpenter, tailor, doctor
lawyer, or what not. The evil of poor legisla-
ton is electing dishonest and incapable men, and so
long such men permitted to hold Offices, Just
so long shall we be cursed with bad legislation and
bad administration of laws. Now, Mr. Editor. in
the name of Cbloroiom, lei Us have some facts
and arguments instead OF bare assertions.
In my next I shall endeayor TO show what is
the prime OF the evil growing out of ltiga-
ta'iOn Meanwhile | should like to see some more
Of wha; you term Hard Knocks"
OSE OF THE LAwrrRs