Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-03-26
For the Advertiser
LAWYERS.

Mn. EDIron: A plain Farmer or common citizen
un,au.ht in the modern schools Of progress, better
TERMED, think, by some, schools of agrar'an'sm
and RIGHTEOUSNESS and yet one who las some little
experience Of the world, Graves Your attention
never sought Office, obtained IT. and am unaniol
tous of any other rank, than that which belongs to
every honest man. My sons, four in number, are Stall
wart and hardy, Of good understandings and habits,
and none of them have ever been permitted " dose
over dead mems bones in Doctors shop. or t. mis-
apply their very ordinary talents, ut the study ot
law or divinity. These remarks to prove my impair
tia i;y are promised, that may be the better heard,
in what have to say hereafter.
LAWYERS arc habually denounced by three
classes persons disappointed litiganis, ambitious
asprants for Offices for which they are unqualified
among the people, and perhaps among the unworthy
members Of the Bar it.elf, and that mean and en-
yous tribe Of mortals, who hate all me Of merit, te
cause they lack that inestlmabc quality themselves.
Such were tliuse, who ostracised Aris,des because
he was called Just, banishcd Themistuces because
he saved his country, aud utterly expelled all virtue
from the Territory and very Atmosphere OF Athens
1t is not only unphosophical, but it is childish to
contend that the legal profession as denomination,
are less honest and upright than the members of
any other calling. All professions Of men have
about the same measure Of integrity-the Farmers
the Mechanics, the Merchants, the Physicians, and
all and it is merely because the acts OF one class
ure more prominent, and are more distinctly brought
to the view of the public eye, that they appear more
gross and hagitious. The man Of the law is public
mau. and is forced, in the most important translc-
tions Of his life 10 display himself fully before the
community in which he lives Hence, it ne has de-
fects, they become apparent.
We are all from the same divine hand, subject TO
the same curse and liable 10 the same infIrmIties
Every man, who has had any intercourse with DIS
neishbors has learned long before the age OF orty
Eve, to be wary in dealing even with tho best Of
them, care not what may be their occupation, lest
he be deceived and cheated and if lie trades he has
found that half Of the sobercs farmers, OF the most
scrupulous mechanics and OF the exactest most or
dcrly merchants, will over estimate and mlsrepresent
their labor and their merchandise, for the purpose
Of reaping the advantage in bargain.
The truth is, this is the secret OF many OF the
charges and bitter prejud'ccs against lawyers and
it is based in the disposition of the lra human mind.
Nearly two thirds of the clients who enter law
office, enter it with their feelings SO biased against
their adversary, and much in favor Of their own
cause, that they wholly incapable Of giving the
truth Of the matters in dispute or Of relating the facts
as they exist. The man of the green bag, Of course
is compelled 10 decide from their own story. lie
has no other data BY Ills cases are lost, from
the mis,atements or involuntary Misrepresentation
of his clients and he, for his pains, is almost in
variaby accused Of falsehood and pre6diousness'
The disappointed parties must have some object upon
which to wreak their vengeance, and their greatest
benefactor, is the nearest one within their conten-
plation, and is tho easiest aimed at by the SHAFT
hurled from the bow Of madman. IL the poor Al
torney charges fee for his efforts and Watching