The national Republican., 1867-08-21
MEETING OF THE MENprps or THE BAr-

opinion In regard to the recent Bradley Fisher
difficulty and the call Of the meeting on the
18th ult. Those who were In attendance were
harmonious In session, and appeared to be do.
termined in the views they expressed.
Tho meeting was called 70 order by A. X.
Brown, esq, who proposed the name Of II. p.
Stanton, esq, as president Of the meeting;
which was agreed to, and Mr.. Stanton took the
chair as the presiding officer.
Mr.. Stanton, on taking the chair, said II was
not for the purpose Of expressing an opinion as
to the trial that had recently taken place In this
room, or that there would be anything Of polit-
ical nature discussed. Mr.. Stanton spoke Of the
legal profession which had been gracsd with the
brightest mon Of the times, and sometimes, We
may say, disgraced. It was undoubtedly the
duty Of a lawyer TO protect his client; he should
not 60 TO extreme lengths and defend him at all
hazards. II was his duty to use his arguments
In the protection Of his client, and that the
principles Of law established for the protection
Of the innocent. He should 60 no further than
to see the law fairly administered.
In conclusion, Mr. Stanton said that he did
not understand the spirit Of the meeting to be
to express any opinion In regard to suitors In the
court, or any transactions connected Herewith;
but We do wish to express our opinion in regard
TO the fairness, impartiality, and gentlemanly
behavior Of the judge presiding over the late
Fisher.
At the conclusion Of Mr. Stanton's remarks,
Mr.. A. R. Brown was, on motion, elected secre-
tary.
On motion Of Mr.. William A. Cook, commit.
too Of seven was appointed to DRAFT resolutions
expressive Of tho sense Of the meeting The
committee consisted Of Messrs. W. A. Cook, II.
M. Leeoh, A. @. Riddle, N. II. Miller, General
Muzzy, M. Thompson, and George Burgess.
The committee retired, and after short in.
tsrval returned with the following preamble and
resolutions, which were read by the chairman Of
the committee, Mr.. Cook
Whereas on the 10th instant, at the conclusion
Of the late trial Of John II. Surratt, the Hon.
George P. Fisher made an order in these words:
II. have now very unpleasant duty to dis.
charge, but one which cannot forego. On the
I'd day Of July last, during the progress Of the
trial Of John II. surratt for the murder Of Abra-
ham Lincoln, Immediately after the court had
taken a recess until the following morning, as
the presiding Justice was descending from the
bench, Joseph II. Bradley, esq accosted him in
rude and insulting manner, charging the
Judge with having offered him Mr.. Bradley a
series Of insults from the bench from the com.
msncement of the trial. Tho judge disclaimsd
any intention.
"Mr. Bradley, SO far from accepting this ex.
PLANTATION or disclaimer, thereupon threatened
the judge with personal ohastisemept as he un.
derstood him. No court can administer Justice
or live II Its judges are to be threatened with
personal violence on all occasions whenever tho
Feasibility of counsel may be excited by an i'm.
sginary insult. Tho offence Of Mr.. Bradley Is
one which even his years will not palliate.
"It cannot be overlooked nor 60 unpunshed
as contempt Of court. 1t Is therefore ordered
that his name DO stricken from the rolls Of at.
torneys practicing in this court"
And whereas Immediately thereafter II was
anony ymously announced In several Of the news
papers Of tho city that meeting Of the bar would
be held in relation to this order;
And whereas on the 18th instant meeting
was accordingly held, and the following preamble
and resolutions passed:
"It 10 due alike to the bench and bar, the
dignity, independence, and honor Of which we
should watch with care and labor with zeal to
preserve, that the facts and circumstances which
led to the action Of Judge Fisher in ordering
the namo Of Joseph II. Bradley, sr., esq, to be
stricken from the roll Of attorneys should be
and inasmuch as the action Of the
judge has left the bar uniformed as to the facts
and circumstances inducing such action on his
part, the Importance Of the subject demands
that We should not proceed hastily or under the
influence Of any personal or partisan prejudice,
lost tho judgment pronounced should not nom-
mend itself to all men Of correct feelings and
well balanced minds; therefore, bc 1t
Resolved That - - be, and they are
hereby, appointed q committee to inquire into
and ascertain the facts and circumstances of
between Judge Fisher and Mr..
Bradley, arising In the course Of the trial Of
John II. Surratt, and upon which Judge Fisher
passed the order dismissing Mr. Bradley, and
that they report the same, together with such
as they may deem advisable to
the bar at q meeting thereof, to be held on tho
irst Tuesday Of September, 1867, (rule day)
therefore,
Resoiped, That the meeting Of the 18th In.
slant, whether considered In reference to the
manner In which It was called or the number
who participated In its proceedings, was not
meeting Of the bar; and while we entertain due
respect for those who appear to have attended 1t
We feel compelled to disclaim any connection |
with 1t or responsibility for its actions.
Rssolved, That We disapprove Of all irregular |
apd extraordinary methods of examining or re.
viewing the orders or judgments Of courts. In |
he words Of an eminent modern legal author, |
- Even If judge makes o mistake, the only |
proper place to correct his error Is the superior
tribunal BY appeal or petition, or on motion for
'eyiew;" and to attempt to accomplish this OBJ. |
ect In any other manner Is not only unprofes.
ional, but tends to impair the respect which
hould be cherished for both the bench and the
'ar, 'as conservators Of tho peace and good order
,f society,"
RssOlvsd, That we cannot suppress our sur.
)rise that In the hrst resolution OF the meeting
I Is asserted that 'the action of the judge has
eft the bar uninforued as to the facts and cir.
umstances" which induced his order In relation
o Mr.. Bradley. That order, as published In the
newspapers and on file in the Office Of the clerk,
ormally enumerate both "faets and circum.
tances," and without grave disrespect, If not
hostility to the court, they must be accepted as
n every respect correct And we will continue
o SO consider them unless they shall hereafter
10 modified or disproyed in regular judicial
xamination.
ReIokved, That the rights and privileges of
he bar should be at all times properly main.
aimed. But 1t Is grave error to regard them
$ Independent" or absolute, or to presume
hat they can be upheld by austerity of de.
neanor, or by personal vituperation or physical
iOlsnce. Their best and only true support will
70 found 10 tie frmness Of NOR l courage, in ths
ignity Of cultured minds, and in the decorum
refined and cultivated manners; nor will a
rise use Of these mannerJ ever fail to secure the
steem Of courts and to prevent "altercations"
r collisions between the bench and tho bar.
ResOlved, That we cannot too highly approve
be unanimous language Of the court uttered by
y @. ]. Cranch, in 1928, in "the matters Of the
harges against Levi S. Burr for unprofsssional
onduct," viz: II
"That court which may with impunity be
reated with contempt will inevitably be con.