Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-05-03

t..,.. ~ VI thc Law, al The excellent
''''',u''on IN Ballston, N. Y. 1t illustrates
'''y beautifully and forcby both the eminent.
"'''"c''Ve social qualities that endeared the
O''''"su 'shed writer to all, and especially the
young, who were in the mauic circle of bis nor.
"' acquaintance, and the unbending upright
"c'' OIL his character. 1t is rare that man.
"'"V'''ou' as well as possessing great iqtelec-
''"' P'weFS' passes through long public ca
'eer win reputation so entirely without the
stain OF either personal selfshness or hypocrisv.
aS Is 'hat OF MIR. CALHOUN. His inflexible in
'eS'''y anu dlrectness Of purpose made him all
'ne more formidable in the maintenance of
doctrines and principles that We are accus-
toned to regard as erroneous.
We are gratiied to lay before our readers the
ieuer from this remarkable man which they
VIII find below. 1t will be read with peculiar
interest Inc animosities which are engen-
dered by political and party differences and con
tests have disappeared, we doubt not, in the
grave OF It's author, and we can read, with af-
iect'onate respect, record that shows how
fresh and warm he kept the current of higher
thoughts amid the entanglements and pervert-
ing influences Of long political life. The al.
fusion, by the dying Statesman, at the close OF
his letter to his own wasting health, is exceed
ingy touching. Ed +. p.
STATE AND national Law School.
BalIstJn Spa, Saratoga Co., n. Y.
April 90, 1850.
Mr.. CLARKE The following letter was re-
ceived from tie late Hon. John c. Calhoun lust
before his DEATH by one of our students from
MS own State and neghborhood It. evinces
the simplicity and kind familiarity Of his inter.
course with the young man of his aequair =
lance. In common with other of my fellow
Students have chained copy for publication
IN the paper which, when al home am accus-
toned habituay to read
Yours truly, r, II S.
Washington, Feb. Goth, 1850.
My Dear D.--l AIN happy to arm that you
are delighted with the plan Of the Institution
and the advantages you there enjoy, for rapid
Improvement not only in the acquisition of le-
gal knowledge, but in familiarity with the
d tails OF the practice and the important mattel
OF eXtempore speaking. This latter regard
as NJ OF the most essential features of the In
stltution. Could have enjoyed, in my prepa-
ratory course, as you say you DO, the oppor,u
NIFTY OF drilling every day in this great Art
under constant and competent instruction. J
have no doubt | should have been, in all the re-
quisI'es u success ten years in advance of what
was when entered the profession.
We'll rc.nenber, when connected with the
Law School in Litchfed, Conn, the need VIC
all ielt OF some advantages i'll speaking and
we used often to resort to the woods, far away
from human hearing, to practice by ourselves
t lis great and important Art. But it soon
tired and was given up. These constant exer-
SOS IN which you are required to engage in
public debates and the trial and argument OF
Cases. If they did nothing more than wear away
You, natural di!iilcnce and inspire self conf.
d1nce, would prove in the end exceedingly val
bic. ] shall never forget the painful the in.
descrba5'e embarrassment under which | la
bored in the delivery of rar - maiden Speech
before Court-au embarrassment which it re-
1nIred wears OF practice to overcome. Improve
t''I', Ny Drsr b, the rare privileges which
that institution aft rds yor. BE systematic and
pnnctllal in the Pc iIrntnce Of all your dates
and remember that the profession YOU have
chosen imposes, as a condition precedent to
success, the necessity for constant and hrdnous
labor. Ia it there is no Disgusting Of one. ca
pacitioS or merits. The Physicians Art is
concealed and by hpptut tcchnicalities and an
AIR OF professional wisdom he NAV produce the
belief that he is what he is not The Clergy
man has time, choice Of subjects and word
OF ether mems thoughts to aid him in his pre-
plra'ions for the pulpit. Dnt the Llwyer
whether in the Oiice or before a Colrt and
J"y' can assume nothing which he Dies not
PISS S. HIS Icgtl opinions are soon to be
tested by the scyrrest ordeal, and his pre,cn.
tons As an advocate must be real or they will
avail him nothing.
And woold also have YOU remember, tia,
You will BE- be-ct vita Constant temptations to
swerve from the standard Of high moral inter-
rily. The very obligations Of the Lewver, to
defend his client, right or wrong, tend to famil-
iarise lin with errors, and to blunt his natural
adherence OF dcpravity. And by obi igations
mean such only, as would lead him to seek he
great end, Of justice. Beyond this, even though
it should result in your own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT,
would not have you pat forth single exer-
ton. In the defence Of one whom YOU believe
to be guilty, proceed no further than is neces.
sary, to elicit the truth, by an even balance of
testimony. 1t is fearful thing to encourage
crime, even though it be by professional defence.
! know it will be often difficult in this respect,
to draw precise line between the duties YOU
will owe to your client, and those due to YOUR
self and community. Bat cultivated aud re.
fined moral sense, the basis of all that is grand
and beautiful in human character, and which,
tust above all things else, you will seek to
incorporate into your own, will generally be a
safe and accurate guide. Bat must close
This may be the last of my communications to
you. feel myself sinking under the wasting
power ct disease, my end is probably hear