Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-02-28

ms 9nsibly lose what is one great az
traction and utility Of our city. A
Geld or indifferent recognition Of such
high professional merit will either
drive Ii from our midst, or relax the am
bition necessary TO spur it on to great
ness. We observe too often in our peo-
pie a disposition to employ inferior
talent ia the profession. We know of
no more uneconOmical or wasteful prae
tice than the hunt after cheap lawyers.
They ale generally incapable, and the
rule will hold good, that the mistakes Of
an incompetent lawyer ultimately In
cresses costs and fess. Indeed one igno-
rant attorney viii commit enough Of
blunders to finish sooner or later for a
good lawyer the latest fees. We heard
an eminent counsel Say the other day
that the most profitable cases he ever
| had we're those that resulted from the
mistakes Of ignorant attorneys. 1t is
always in the end the cheapest, and GER
| tainly the safest TO employ the best legal
| talent attainable. We have known
within the last three weeks enc jury
hung, and another to render its verdict,
against the instructions of the Court,
maniiestly pressed to this result ty the
skill Of counsel. In these instances pro-
fessiOnsl ability certainly paid the client.
If we want great men st the bar, we
must encourage Them by q proper sppre-
cistion and due patronage.
This theme, however, presents itself
in q more vital respect, in view
Of at least the possibilities, if
not the strong probabilities, OF u
political future. That we are really
q Republic nosO, few intelligent
persons will say, though all the external
forms still remain. What we may be-
come Is yet a matter of speculation. A
decided and material change has been
worked in cur political system. All of
the least diseernmeut will admit this.
We may become an Empire. We can
scarcely remsin a Democratic Repub-
lie. Many have lost faith in Republican
forms, and are ready to subscribe to the
philosophy Of the poet who wrote
Is About forms Of governus ent let fools contest
which is best administered is best"
1t will be seen, however, that the poet
sceOrds with the experience Of mankind.
Whatever be the outward shape Of the
political structure, it is essential
TO the happiness and prosperity
Of the country, that the law
touching individual rights, either Of
property o. person, be administered i'm
partially and i~ntelligently. How can
this be accomplished without learned
advocates and competent Judges? How
can these be obtained unless the highest
be fostered at the bar 1t is well
authenticated that for three centuries
the Byzantine Empire maintained It's
power, influence and civilization, de-
spite despetio political forms, by the free
Of its courts, the ability OF its
and the integrity OF its judges.
The Press may be mUzzlei ; but the last
act Of arbitrary power, never ventured
IN without certain overthrow, is to
hLC Atb5LC u kI0 &AFUCAkC-
Then under the uncertainties of the
PRESENT hour, 80 to our political future, it
5 Of the lsst Importance, that great and
,ood lawyers, shall more thar ever be
Encouraged, fostered and magniied. We i
rave, since the conclusion of the war, 4
,een more indebted TO the skill, learning !
md ooursge OF IA lawyers for the {
indication and protection Of the ]
tights OF persons and property,
usurpation aud tyranny, than to 7
ny other agency. So potent has it been I
hat cur tyrants have time and sgain q
to evade the exposition Of the
outrageous advocate, unwilling, appa-
TO trust their own c~onsciences l
7hen front 10 front and face to lscs with Z
be %scorohing and punsent logic Of the '
ar. More than ever before in the his y
Dry Of our people, the lawyer is the &
'steh-dog Of the liberties OF the citizen. %
n the bar Of Memphis we have re- |,
)urces OF political strength which we 8
lght not TO fail TO estimate at their full q
slue. n