Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-07-19
THE GAZETTE.
MONDAY MORNING, JULY 10, 1888
LEGAL MORALITY.

Mr. Just. a. Coleridge, who bears great
name in the judicial roll Of England, has
haan racentlv promoted from the Court OF
Onsan'. Bench 70 her Msjesty's Privy Coun.
eli ON leaving a seat which be adorned
and made useful to his country and the
whole world for forty years, be was favored
by an address from the Attorney General,
expressive Of the gratitude and congratula-
ton of the members Of the bar. He replied
in some appropriate remarks, instinct with
the deepest emotion. In the course OF them
he took occasion to address few words OF
advice to the younger members, which deserve
attention everywhere. Referring to crises
making unusual demands upon the proies-
sion be remarked, "these are not your sever
est trials" He continued:
"They are those which are most insidious,
which beset you 10 the ordinary path OF your
daily duty. those which spring from the e1
citement Of contest, from the love of inteliee-
tual display, and even from an exaggerated
sense of duty to your clients.
gentlemen, especially nay younger friends,
suffer me without offence, to put you On your
guard against these. We can we'll afford to
b, ar additional pleasantr es upon us from
without, but We cannot affJrd that underly-
ing these there should exist among thought,
ful persons feeling that our professional
standard of honor is Observation-Disclosures we,
as advocates, will say and d. in Court what
we, as gentlemen. wonld scorn to do 10 the
common wake of life. Sometimes, confess
il seems to me that We lend support to such
Q feeling by the lightness with which We In-
pute upgenerous conduct or practices to each
other. Surely no case is so sacred, no
client 30 dear, that ever an advocate should
be called upon to barter bis own self-re-
spect. If that be our duty, cur great and
glorious profession is no calling for gentle
man."
This contrasts admirably with the doctrine
of Lord Brougham, that the lawyer should
knew nobody but his client. and no interest
but bis clients interest declaration which
has exerted much mischief among the mem
bers, especially the younger members, OF the
legal profession. Mr.. Justice Colerldge's au.
thority, - that Of more experienced and
sound lawyer, is better than that OF Lord
Broughsm; while il bss tbs advantage of ev-
ideut consistency with all our ordinary ideas
of duty. If the lawyer is 70 have special
morality for bis guidance in Court. the ply
sicisn may claim like favor among bis pa
tients, the merchant in bis counting room,
the mechanic in his work shop, every man
10 his special vocation, and the plain moral
ity Of the Bible will be left almost wholly to
women and children. The lawyer uhdoub,-
eddy is to give bic client the utmost bench,
of bis learning, bis talents, and his skill, bot
no fee retains his conscience and his sefre-
spect. Henry Ward Beeoher said the other
day that "he ives man before be was q
minister" it is the pride Of the honorable
lawyer, to remember, not only that be
was q man before be WAS lawyer,
but that he 10 man all the while. No
man has right to swerve from the dn-
ties which be owes to all his fellow men
and to bimself And we hope this testimony
to simple truth from 90 eminent lawyer as
Mr.. Justice Coleridge, will have its deserved
influence, in this country especially.