The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-08

Total. ....... 4
THOMAS MILLER, M. d.,
President.
BY orders
Mr.. CIay's speech.

The following is the speech of Mr.. Clay, delivered
the occasion of his recent visit TO the examina-
ton Of the students Of the National Law School at
Ballston Spa, N Y 1t is addressed to Mr.. Fowler,
the president of the institution:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: Were to give full expression of
the feelings with which the of this day have
inspired me, il might seem too much like the Ian
guagc Of extravaganza hattery. For, although the
enterprise in which you engaged has been long
and favorably known to me, have never until now
understood the nature Of your system and its vastly
superior advantages to the legal student. The
ready familiarity of your students with almost
every branch of the legal science-their prompt
plies to the most difficult questions which, at your
the ease, huency, and power with which they de-
livered their exempore speeches, and engaged in
the trial and summing up Of their cause, have both
delighted and surprised me. Can it be, sir, that the
that has Just been tried-that the infinitely de-
tailed stores OF the witnesses drawn out by the rigid
interrogations of the young counsellors and their
solemn appeals TO the jury, all, all fiction? Am
in a seminary Of learning or in court room,
rounded by the mature realities of professional life?
1t is the practical part of this system that strikes me
with the greatest force. lfyou go on, young gen.
tlemen, in the course you are now pursuing, you
may take high stand in your profession. Constant
perseverng application will accomplish every thing.
To this quality, if may be allowed to speak of
myself, more than to any thing else do owe the
little success which have attained. Left in early
life to work my way alone, with other than a
common education, saw that the pathway before
was long, steep and rugged, and that the height
on which had ventured to fix the eye of my am
bition could only be reached by toll the most Sc
we're and purpose the most indomitabe. But
shrinking from no labor, disheartened by no OBJ
stacle, struggled on. No opportunity which the
most watchfnl vigilance could secure, to exercise
my powers, was permitted to pass by uninproved.
And if could have enjoyed the advantages which
this institution is now comforting upon you
should have entered upon my profession under far
higher auspices, and brighter hopes. But think
not, young gentlemen, that your labor is to cease
with your preparatory course. You are here, in
deed, but to lay the foundation of superstructure
to be reared hereafter. The profession you have
chosen, more than all others, imposes upon its in
cumbents the necessity for constant and arduous
exertion. To acquire thorough knowledge of the
great and complicated science of law, demands
life of laborious effort. But il is honorable, u
glorious pursuit. To search out truth, and to pro-
mote justice is its great end. Truth is to be your
aim, justice your guide, and the smiles of con-
science, of God, and of men, your ultimate-your
high reward. Let these considerations govern you
from this time forward, and with skill and disci-
pline you may lay the foundation, and finally reap
the rewards Of high standing and destiny in life.