Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-02-28
SUNDAY APPEAL.
SUNDAY MORNING, FEB. 2s, 1869
THE LEGAL PROFESSION OF MEH,
PRfS.

PHf&.
II u people desire to make Memphi
q truly great city, it is time they begiI
70 localize. We mean by this that Mem
phis must indiUiduGlize. The effJI
must be to develop her oWn enter
prises. Her mechanics must strive il
their respective branches after the high
est excellence, and apply themselves t
the difficult task Of supplying the bes
articles at the smallest cost. Her msr
chants must sim at the highest CONNER
ciAl Intelligence, enterprise and integrity
Her works Of public improvement mus
be prudently, but perseveriBgly and sue,
cessfully managed. All must earnestly
work to satisfy the country We are by
nature designed to control and serve;
that in Memphis the best of everything
may be obtained at the cheapest price,
When this is done trade will flow IN
space on us, and our physical, material
development will then really commence.
Then wi greatness and growth will be.
come permanent. We will cease to be
merely s vspid aggregation OF inhabi.
tants and houses, dependent on the fuc.
tuations of the markets and banks OF
New York, or Of any other place. We
will have gathered within ourselves our
own resources, which will sustain US in
the day Of trial. These views
we have constantly urged on behalf OF
the merely material forces, that sre 10
work out our future prosperity and great
ness as s city. But it is time to remind
our people that 10 accomplish all the sue
cess, which is our due, there must be an
appropriate impetus given to what may
be called the intellectual and artistic ele-
ments of society. These must be legiti-
mately fostered and encouraged. The
first evidence Of q settled aud determin-
ate commercial center, is the encourage -
ment given to excellence in the learned
professions and in the role Of the fine
arts. The character Of q people or COM.
munity lie largely determined by this
standard. The individual reared amid
the extremes of civilization, who looks
for q new home where he may improve
his fortunes, is, nine times cut Of ten,
controlled in the selection Of his
"point" by the degree Of refinement
which he may ind to exist in any given
community or city. This degree Of re-
fnement must necessarily be fixed 10 s
large extent by the reputation and real
merit of those who belong to the Learned
professions or the artistic circles. Merit
in these pursuits, as in sill Others, de-
pend on the fame and profit accorded
by q liberal patronage. There are
few educated emigrants who would
seek a new home IN q city that could not
boastof first class talent Ut the bar that
could not point to its eminent and
competent physicians and surgeons,
its graceful, strong writers, aad
It's accomplished musicians aud
painters. As well would the intelligent
immigrant and these We must have be
content to locate where mechanical in
dustry was so nude SIS scarcely to be
sble to furnish the most ordinary con-
veniencs Of life. Man is not altogether
physical and material. He is also spir-
itusl in his nature, requiring bis mind
and heart to be ministerial too.
Thus it will be seen that we place the
encouragement and fostering Of the
professiOrsand the art circles on
the broad and practical plane OF profit
and progress to our city and people. We
never rise above the dimensions Of
3 large river town" until G distinct
character is acquired for excellence in
al things that require intellect, whether
mechanical skill, in art, or the learned
professions. This is illustrated by the
eiues of the New as well as of the Old
World. What would New York be
without her magnificent LAWYERS.
Without editors, gifted artists, ana
accomplished physicians? These give
20 the Manhattan Metropolis an in.
dividuality and att~ractiveness, that con-
stitute st least half her Thrift and great
hess.
To-day we have seen proper to do tardv
ustice to the bar Of Memphis. The press
people Of Memphis seem not as vet
o have fully appreciated The great sumo
iority and force Of our lawyers. We do
lot mean to say hat every man who has
hung out the tin board, with "attorney-
't-iAW Inscribed thereon, ia gilt letters,
worthy Of u respect or deserving OF
mr. patronage for ia this country, &C.
ess to the bar has been rendered so easy
y lnludicious legislation, that necessa-
lily much dishonesty and ~incapscity i'm
'udently intrudes itself where only we'll
ested character and competency ouvbt {
o be seen. Yet, notwithstsn6, Q these !
isawbacks, our observation hsbH stisaad :
that the bsr Of Memphis commando G
a all It's departments, an aggregate Of r
ohity, learning and integrity, which z
be surpassed, if equalei ia the q
'orid. Indeed, be who frequents orr I
spectacle courts, and wifness s
contests between the ~,a1o, \
| eaders OF the circuit" cannot fail 70 q
e filled with admiration for the rare To- d
ensic skill and learning displayed bv d
hem in their causes. 1t is a notable
'et that since the conclusion OF the wsr
greater variety Of questions, novel and 1
eW' nave been presented, discussed and
eciued IN cur courts than elsewhere In o
Nmerica. These questions have involved q
Whele range of international ard =
law also the lava NJ wsr !
. 8 novel aspect never before aeltstsdN
70 ali these discussions, es nnnsuoI !;
they are a~bstruse, our LAWYER 49, u
rought a learning dialectiesl No.
and q grasp Of mind UNSURPASSED n
e belieVe, in the history of the prcsss. 81
on in any age or country. Yet we fssr =
lat our eitizsns, neither in the patron. Il
e extended nor in the reputation Is
Wardeds have shown the appreciation
served by the rare competency thew n
anifested, 6nlsss this is done, we viii y =