Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-05-16
Interesting Letter from NTr. Cal
hOUn.

The following letter was received bya
student in the State and National Law School
Ballston Spa, Saratoga county, New York,
Just before the death of Mr.. Calhoun. !, is
probably the last long letter he ever WROTE
This letter is repete with good advice, which
every law student should treasure up:
WASHINGTON, February IS, 1850.
My Dear b: Yours Of the 10Th instant
was duly received. | am happy to learn tha,
you are SO delighted with the plan of the in
stitutlon, and the peculiar advantages il af-
lords for rapid improvement, not only in the
acquisition of legal knowledge, but in u fu-
mliinrity with the practice and the important
matter OF extempore speaking. regard this
latter as one the most essential features of
the institution. Could have enjoyed, in my
preparatory course. as you do, the opportuni-
ty of drilling every day in this great art and
the trial aud argument of causes, under con
slant and competent Instruction. have no
doubt should have been, in all the practical
requisites OF success, ten years in advance of
what was when entered the profession.
well remember, when connected with the
Law School at Litchfield, Connecticut, the
need we all felt of some advantages in speak,
ing. These constant exercises in which You
are required TO engage before so large num-
ber of your feilow-students, il for nothing else
than the self-confdenee which they must
gradually inspire, will. in the end, prove ex-
ceedingly valuable. | shall never forget the
painful, the indescribabe embarrassment un>
der which labored in the delivery of NV
maiden speech before a court-an embar-
rassment which it required years of practice
10 overcome. Improve then, my dear B,
the rare privileges which the institution al
fords you. Be systematic and punctual in
the performance of all your duties and re-
member that the profession you have chosen
imposes, as a condition precedent to success,
the necessity ior constan. and arduous labor.
In it there is no Disgusting ofone's capacities
or dement's. The physicians art is concealed
and by Hippant technicaliiies, and an air of
professional wisdom, he may produce the be.
lief that he is what he is not. The clergy
man has time, a choice of subjects, and
world of other mems thoughts to aid him in
his preparations for the pulpit. But the law
yer, whether in the office or before a court
and jury, can assume nothing which he does
not possess. His legal opinions are soon to
be tested by the severest ordeal, and his pre-
tentions as an advocate must be real, or they
will avail him nothing.
And would also have you remember, that
you will be beset with constan: temptations
TO swerve from the standard of high moral
integrity The very obligation of the lawyer
to defend his client, right or wrong, tend TO
familiarize him with error, and to blunt his
natural abhorrenoe of depravity; and by obi
cations, mean such only as would lead him
TO seek the great ends ofjustce. Beyond
this, even though il should result in your own
aggrandizement, | would not have you puI
forth single exertion. In the defence OF
one whom you believe to be guilty, proceed
no further than is necessary TO elicit the truth
by an even balance of testimony. lam aware
that it will often be difficult, in this respect,
10 draw a precise line between the duties you
will owe to your client. and those due to
yourself and community. But cultivated
and refined moral sense-the basis of all that
is grand and beautiful in human character
and which trust, above all things else, you
will seek TO incorporate into your own-will
generally be a safe and accurate guide.
Most offectonately, yours,
j. C. CALHOUN.