Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-05-19
The Ward CnSe.

The New York Courier makes the following re.
marks in considering the conduct of the lawyers en-
gagged in the defence of the Ward case
Blackstone. if mistake not has something TO
say of the chivaric spirit of the profession There
is such spirit recognised in all the American law
courts with which we acquainted. 1t is spirit
which will not tolerate sophistry in argument, mis-
quoting of cases. making of evidences, brow beating
Of simple wItnesSes-and which treats with dsfavOr
every act by which truth is perverted justice de-
feated. 1t is spirit which impes all right-mnded
lawyers &c to use," in the words of old writer,
the power of their tongue and wit TO shame impu-
dence, to protect innocence to crush oppressors,
succor the afflicted, to advance justice and equity,
and 10 help them 10 ri ght that suffer wrong" 1t is
not a. spirit which urges lawyers 10 volunteer to
screen guilt There is an elementary law-book of
some repute in this baliwick entitled 4 Course of
Legal Study by David Hoffman. 1t has something
to say of the professional duties of legal men and
legal authority is far better than editorial author
ity in a case of this nature, we quote follows,
doubling not that if it is applicable to retain lawyers
it is doubly so volunteer advocates
"When employed to defend those charged with
crimes of the deepest dye, and the evidence against
them, whether legal moral be such to leave no
just doubt of their guilt, | shall not hold myself
privileged, much less obliged, TO my endeavors
TO arrest or TO impede the course of justice by spe
cial resorts to ingenutY-to the articles of elo-
quence-to appeals TO the morbid and fleeing SYM
pathies of weak juries, of temporiZng courts to
,
to any of the overweening influences may possess,
from popular manners eminent talents, exalted learn,
ing, &c. Persons Of atrocious character who have
violated the laws of God and entitled to no
such special exertions from any member of pure
and honorable profession and indeed TO nterven-
ton beyond securing to them fair and dspassionate
investigation of the facts of their cause, and the due
application of the law all that goes beyond this,
either in substance, is unprofessionaI, and
proceeds either from mistaken view of the relation
of cliant and counsel or from unworthy and
selfish motive, which sets higher value profess
SIGNAL display and success, than truth and justice
and the substantial interests of the community. Such
inordinate ambition shall regard a most
dangerous peryersion of talents, and shameful
abuse of exalted station. The parricide, the
gratuitous murderer, other perpetrators of like
voting crimes has surely no such claim on the COM
manding talents of profession whose object and
pride should the suppression of all vice by the vind
cation and enforcement of the laws Those, there
fore, who, wrest their proud knowledge from its le-
climate purposes, 10 poute the streams of justice,
and TO such foul offenders from merited penal
ties, should be regarded by all and certainly shall
by ministers holy altar, full of high pre-
tension, and apparent sancy, but nwardly base,
unworthy, anG hypocritica dangerous in the precise
ratio Of their commanding talents ami exalted learn
ing"