The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-29
From the Rochester Daily american.
State and National Law school.

BALLsroN SPA, Saratoga Co.,
April 10, 1880
EDITOR OF American: The following letter
recently received from the late Hon. John c. Cal
houn, by a student here who resides in his neigh
borhood. resident of your place when at home,
and constant reader of your excellent paper, l
take the liberty of sending you copy of it for pub
LEGATION; every thing that has emanated from
that great and lamented statesman is now doubly
interesting. The letter shows the simplicity and
affectionate sincerity of his intercourse with the
young men of his acquaintance.
Yours, &c., ASruDEsr.
WAsHINGToN, Jan. 20, 1850.
MY DEAR B.: Yours of the 10th inst. was duly
received. / am happy 10 know that you 80
well satisfied with the plan OF the institution and
the advantages you there enjoy for rapid improve
ment, not only in the acquisition of legal know
ledge but in familiarity with the details of the
practice and with the important matter Of extern
pore speaking. regard this latter of the
most essential features of the Institution. Could
have enjoyed in my preparatory course, as you
day" in this great art, "under constant and COM
potent instruction." have no doubt that 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 Litchheld, Conn, the need
we all felt of some advantages in speaking And
we used often to resort to the woods far away from
70
and important art. But it soon tired and was
given up.
This constant practice before so large number
OF your fellow students, who must OF course be crit
ical hearers, if it does nothing more than wear
away your natural difidence and inspire you with
selfconfidence, must, in the end, be exceedingly
valuable. shall never forget the painful, the in
describable embarrassment under which labored
in the delivery of my "maiden speech"-an en-
barrassment whichit required years Of practice TO
overcome. Fail NOT. then, my dear b., to improve
your present privileges. With you, now is the
spring season Of life You forming habits which
you will carry with you to the grave. Be system
attic and punctual in the performance of all your
duties. And remember that the profession you
have chosen imposes, as a condition precedent to
success, the necessity for constant and arduous la
Dor, In it there is no Disgusting Of ones capacities
or merits. The physicians art is conccaled-and
by hippant techncalites and an air OF professional
wisdom he may produce the belief that he is what
he is not. The clergyman has time, choice of
subjects, and a world of other mems thoughts to
aid him in his preparations for the pulpit. But the
lawyer, whether in the office or before court and
jury, can assume nothing which he does not pos
sess. His legal opinions are soon TO be tested by
the severest ordeal, and his powers an advocate
must be real or they will avail him nothing.
And would also have you remember that in
your profession you will Be beset with constant
temptations to swerve from the high standard Of
moral integrity. The very obligations of the law
yer to defend his client, right wrong, tend TO ia
milarize him with error, and to blunt his natural
adherence of depravity And by obligations, ]
mean such only as would lead him 10 seek the
great ends of justice Beyond this, even though it
should result in your own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, would
not have you put forth single exertion. In the
defence Of one whom you believe to be guilty, pro-
coed further than is necessary to elicit the truth
by even balance of testimony II is a fearful
thing to encourage crime, though it be in the
way of professional defence. But must close. 1t
pleases me much to learn that you happy
| and doing 80 well. Remember me to George, and
tell him nellie sends her compliments.
Your affectionate friend,
j. c. CALHOUN.