Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-09-28

cusions of the few are either ratified rejected by
the minds of the Masses and the prevailing Judgment
becomes public sentiment
Whatever may be the truth of history in other
governments it is established by every page of
own, that public sentiment is great sociol pot
ical and moral regulator Statutes and constitutions
bow its diciaton and yield to its power. tits our
High Court of last resort and by its adjudcations
CUSTOMS our laws and our constitutions stand or
fall. 1t prescrbes the rules of social government
and modfes and reverses them at pleasure. 1t die
tates the of Legislative bodies gives force and
effect to their deliberations and actions or parayses
and nulfes them at will. Itoverthrows monarchies
and drives tyrantS into exile, sweeps away repub
lies and erects upon their ruins unmitigated despot
ismS. In its decisions it has regard for uniform
ity consistency of action-its DEGREES of to-day
unhesitatngly reversed by those of tomorrow
but until reversed by its own will and Judgment
they stand as the supreme law. When goaded on by
ignorant passion, or mpeled by blind fanaticism, its
march over existing institutions is marked with the
terrific violence of the tornado but when influenced
by enlightened reason and controlled by sound NOR
atty, its is characterized by the genteness
and noselessness of the evening zephyr. This is the
chief instrumentality through which mind displays
it's power mind ia politics and morals and the
means through which the lawyer exers his greatest
influence whether in the strict line of his profession
in judicial POSITIONS as statesman.
The most ilustrious examples of the power of
mind to be found in the history of the legal pro-
fesson, in connection with affairs of government.
Ambition delights in the law favorite stepping
stone to political distinction. In every civilized
ton it has furnished the abest champions of liberty
and the most eloquent opponents of tyranny and OPP
preston. The most brilliant triumphs achieved by
Cicero gained in defence of the liberties ofRome.
BY his dsinterested patriotism he the hearts Of
the people, and by the power of his eloquence he
able for time to maintain successful contest
with military ambition. 1t has been eloquently said,
by one of our most distinguished statesmen, that
the Roman lawyers or civilians of the greatest ce-
lebrty and whose judicial opinions were held in the
highest esteem even under the despotic sway of the
empire, not less distinguished by the integrity
of their private character than by their talents and
ability. Justice was so much their idol so fixed
and resolute was their of right, that neither
the temptations of avaTicc, the splendor of Off
cial station the threatening brow of a tyrant
could corrupt or intimdatc them" In modern times
England has furnished host of eminent lawyers and
judges not less ustrious for their private virtues
than for their learning and eloquence. They have
signaliZed their own Names and shed luStre upon
their countrys fame by their unyieldng opposition
to arbitrary power and despotism- their fearless
denunciations of the tyranny of their rulers,
and their unwavering devotion to law, order and
right amidst all the storms of faction, the threaten
ings of tyranical power, and the clamor of wicked
agitators and demagogues. The liberties of Great
Britain may be correctly said to rest upon the Eng
fish bar.
The fame of our country derives large share
of its splendor from the exalted virtues learning and
patriotism which have characterized the career of
members of the legal profession. In
the able discussions to the right of selfgOvern
lawyer and the judge amongst the master spir-
it's They helped by their genius and their eloquence
to kindle the fires of the Revolution and in all its
labors, sacrifices, dangers and honors they were
prominent sharers. When independence was Sc
cured, they were the master-workmen in laying the
foundation of that noble superstructure of republ
canism, which resting the solid basis of fode
raj constitution, vigor, strength and fondly
hope, perpetuty to our federal Union To the legal
profession is assigned the honor and the responsible
ty of filling exclusively one of the departments (and
not the least importan) of the government. All the
Presidents, except two, who have occupied the Tx
ecutive Department have been lawyers whilst large
majority of the Cabinet officers and foreign minis
ters, and large portion of the Senators and Repre-
sentatves who have held seats in Congress have be-
lonSed to the same profession These facts speak
volumes in favor of the legal profession, and furnish
some idea of its influence in our government.
In attempting to call up to your minds the promi
nent influence eXerted by the legal profession upon
the destnies of our government lam actuated by no
wish to indulge in improbable eulogy. would |
have you to study the lives and characters of the
eminent lawyers, jurists and statesmen who have |
identified their with the glory of country.
it possible to strike from history all traces of
their influence in the affairs of government
tional escutcheon would emit but dim pale light
in comparison with its present dazzling brightness.
But what is it in the characerOf distinguished
public that constitutes their browning glory and
hallows their and their influence? 1t is not
simply that they of gigantic intellectual
powers but it is, that associated with these powers
ambition and to their actions all the moral force
which belongs to genuine patriotism. When Mr..
Webster had exhausted the powers of his great mind
in portraying the character of Jeremiah Mason, he
gave the finishing touch to the picture when he said
But political eminence and professional fame fade
away and die with all things earthly. Nothing of
character is really permanent but virtue and perso
nal worth. Mr.. Mason's religious sentiments and
feelings the browning glories of his character"
Death achieves no victory over such character
It only embams his name, consecrates his fame, and
3erpetuates his influence. Our national annals a.
bound in illustrious members of the bar,
''Who shed great thoughts
AS easily oak lOOSeneth its golden leaves,
In kindly largess to the soil it grew
Whose rich dark ivy thoughts, summed with love,
Flourish around the deafness of their
Whose names on the worlds broad tongue,
Like sound upon the falling of force
Whose words, if winged, with angels wings
Who play upon the heart as upon a harp
And make our eyes bright We speak Of them"
Without undertaking to make full enumeration,
would most earnestly invite you to study the lives
and characters of such lawyers Mason, JAY, Pinc-
1ey Parsons, Writ Chancey, Marshall, Story, Kent
md CASTOR and their ilustrious compeers living and
lead, in professional renown Their lives abound
If instructive lessons of wisdom. An earnest love
n virtue and constant devotion to Christian NOR
llty will be found to pervade their characters and
% shed over them their richest charm. They won
distinction by their superior intellectual achieve
nents but they their claim to true greatness by
heir devotion to virtue. is this that shines as
he richest jewel in the coronet of their fame 1t is
his that gives immortality to their influence as well
Is to their names.
If any of my young friends, whose minds are in