The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-05-31
Original.
RANDOM TE0UGHTs-N0. 1.

DT A RAMBLER.
"Random thoughts, Eh That is, l pre-
some they will be crude and loosely arrang-
ed"
Perhaps the reader is correct in so surmis-
ing, though l trust he will prove to be mis-
taken. choose the foregoing title because
have no particular subject in view: each
article will be written as circumstances may
prompt, and opportunity permit.
l notice with regret that An Attorney has
discontinued his series of contributions in
reference to General Law Reform. I think
the subject was ably handled by him and no
doubt the generality of your readers have
been both interested and edited by perusal
of his sprightly and lucidly written articles.
Every citizen of our noble state, ought to
acquaint himself of the enactments Of the
Legislature, and thus be prepared to know
and defend his rights and yet how few &C
quire this knowledge. What is the reason ?
We are not so negligent as regards other mat
ters which we deem of importance. think
the cause is the pathological and ambiguous
language in which our laws have been ex-
pressed. OF conrse speak only for myself,
but doubt not that my sentiments on this
point, are those Of large. ii not major por-
ton Of my fellow citizens and do not hesi-
tate to confess, that for many years, I have
studied almost every other thing than law /;
while towards that profession have steadily
entertained feelings of deep disgust and alb
horrence. My distas.s for the study Of law,
arose from no intrinsic principle connected
with the science, for regard Jurisprudence in
all its legitimate branches as sublime, pro-
found, ennObling and highly beneficial; but
from other causes, the principle Of which is
the base purposes Of pre-eminence in the pro-
fession often subserves. / have noticed that
nearly all the Legislators and Congressman
who are accustomed to quibbe concerning
hair-splilting technicalities, and thus defeat
really wise and indispensable measures, and
yet by prodigal use of 1attery and sophis-
try, convince their constituents that their in
terests could not possible be better protected,
in this manner securing their own reelection
are members of the legal profession. But
do not wish to speak invidiously of the civil
ian as such. began this article from diff
ferent motives. Lawyers, as a whole are per-
haps no more unprincipled than any other
professional men. A theory or dogma should
not be held responsible for the evil doing of
its professed protectioners who are recreant
to the principles they advocate. 1t is not the
position that honors the Incumbent; sanctimo-
nious professions cannot cleanse a deprayed
heart the ofice,ho must confer WORTH
ness upon the station that he occupies.
have limited that our legislative enact
ments are couched in superduous and ambig-
uous language. This, after all, is the chief
reason why people in general take so little
pains to acquaint themselves with the laws by
which they are governed. So notorious is
of legal enactments, that it has
passed into a sort of proyerbial comparison
We say of an absruse, complicated matter
ga Philadelphia lawyer cannot unravel it."
By the way, l would ask why limbs of the
law in the City of Brotherly Love, are con-
sidered more expert than other civilians.