The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-12-09
For the Pioneer
The Minnesota Literary Union.
NiE(iG.

Tins newly formed society, having for its object.
the Scnc;ai improvement Of it, members in the i'm
roiant arts OF oratory and intellectual sclf-cuture is
at length established upon substantial and It is TO be
bclcvcd, permanent basis. As of It's hrnl,lest
disciples and advocates, avail myself of this on
pofunty TO lay Its advantages briefly before an intel
iSent, law loving and public spirited community.
IN the hope, that some Of those whose sympathzino
eyes ma. glance over these hastily written lines NAV
be induced perhaps to cooperate with us in our e.
forts TO raise up in this Territory an institution
whose practical utility man Of reasoning sense can
doubt. W hen IN oi nler paper the writer of this
article addressed a card To the Legal FIatelnv'
it was by no means with desire to form anythjno
IKE an exclusive or class society," IL. IL $ in the
last number of the Pioneer did me the serious p,s
tee TO intimate. stated expressly that such was
not my purpose, and now take occasion to slv, that
oNclusiveness class organization IN any form IS as
dlsaseable TO me, IA it could possibly be Ia any
other individual in the Territory ii seemed to me
that the lawyers would he more disposed to lay the
foundations of literary society," which was TO have
for its aim, however, the entertainment and good of
all, and ii for this reason alone that nv card was
particular " addressed 10 them. So far from think
my that the legal profession is superior in respecta
billy 10 any other, or that its members are more
immaculate than those belonging to any other
class, IT is my firm belief on the contrary that
the profession is overlooked with scouu-
dieiS, knavcs, prctenders, swindlers, cut-throats
thieves and fools, than any other that could
easily he named Hence the greater nccessitv Of So
cieties forreformIng them Heaven knows that there
are enough quack doctors, but quack lawyers are I'M
doubiodly more numerous still. Thus much in reply
to H. j. :. who hope will in future be more careful
before he CHARGE well meaning stranger with a.
ciuSrness again. Our society opens its arms
alike to all--the lumberman, farmer and mechanic
viii be equally welcome. and will he ready to
extend TO each and every Of them acorlial hand
Let not any be strained from motives of dit,idence
Or dlsirust of their qualifications, This institution
is not organized for display, but for Improvement
None need fear therefore, that their maiden ATTEMPTS
will be laughed at, that their language, method.
or Arguments will Re severely criticised bv other
members, whose opportunities and experience have
been more extensive than their own Let each one
do his bes--let him study the great art Of sel..e
ance, and prepare his mind for the different debates
as they arise, slowly, thoughtul and profoundly and
he will soon be astonshed at his own progress and
the rapid Development Of his own intellectual pow-
ers. No man knows his own powers until he has
submitted to the stern ordeal of necessity 1t by
trial and experiment alone that the mind becomes ac
quainted with its latent energies and acquires the
determination and couyaSe to stand forth naah,shed