The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-08-10
Prescription Of Lawyers.

editorial article under the above caption.
We agree with all the Times SC we'll says,
but we do not recognize the necessity OF de-
Tending lawyers as class. With sensible
men-men who think-and can give rea-
son for any position they may take, no de-
fence is necessary. A prejudice against this
class Of our felow-citizens was attempted to
be created, some time since, in this county;
but it has all blown over. It wouldn't bear
the scrutiny Of common sense. Whenever
any portion of the people of any one portion
Of county, raise objections to members Of
profession as class, or to the residents of
any particular locality il the county, merely
because Of that locality-for instance, town
against county, aud 0ice verso, there is some
thing wrong at the bottom Of ia petty, con-
tenn ptible pandering to local prejudces, IT.
respective of the public good, and there is
generally an ace to grind, mixed up with it.
There be may objections urged against GER
tain men of certain localities, but the loca lily
itself should not be held responsible for the
Eeculiarities of any one of its residents. So with
awyers-there may be Objectionable men in the
fraternity, but that is not the fault of the fra
ternity Take the lawyers as class, at the
Staunton bar, and you cannot find in the en-
tire State, among the same number of inhab-
itants, a more high toned, gentlemanly coll
lection Of men. There is not one ofthem who
does not maintain the social position of a gen.
teman, and who is not as much interested in,
and identified with the prosperity of the peo-
Pile of the county, as any other class o: men,
IF We send lawyer to the Legislature, it
is impossible for him to legislate fer one class
Of the people against the other. The laws
must be uniform in their operation, as far as
it is possible to make them so. They all OPP
crate harshly in some instances. just as the
circumstances and condition Of individuals may
be cuiar.
The people Of all classes and localities Of
a county, are mutually dependent upon each
other, and it is no part Of good citizenship to
array one section Or class against another.
The Times, alluains to the legal profession,
has the following pertinent remarks
Al human callings, in their practical work
ings, fall short Of "a perfect standard, and must
be estimated by their comparative merits
The preachers doctors, farmers, merchants,
all, not less than lawyers, are found wanting,
when weighed in the balances The question,
then, is-does the legal profession contribute
to.the convenience, and is it essentially connect
ed with the general interest Of society? We
answer unhesitatingly, yes TO maintain the
contrary sto maintain the perfection of human
nature-that all men act rightly and deal hon
esty-that society could exist without gov
ernmcnt and tribunals for the determination
of the Conflicts which spring from perverse
will and complex business relations between
man aud man, in short, that the millennium had
come.
Again, it is thought by some honest folks
that it is main part Of the business Of law
yers to porvcrt truth, but it is an unjust charge
| While individual members may Yield 70 the
temptation to untruthful representation and
false coloring it is DO part OF the professjcn,
and the lawyer who is guilty of falsehood to
attain his ends degrades himself and his 70
cation. Il lie is d lie, whether told at the bar,
in the counting-room Or the shocmaker's shop.
2. ,:c yer soorns the distinction between
professional and personal untruths. Un-
fortunately, mendacity pervades all classes and
is the bescttng sin Of fallen humanity. We
haye Known Doctors preachers and even cdi,.
tors to be guilty Of it, but it is alike wrcng in
all. And if the comparison is made it Will
be found that lawyers are no more amenabIe
to the charge than ether men We admit that
there are many black sheep at the bar who
bring it into reproaeh, and many dishonest ad-
vocares who, for fee, aid their clients in
plain and palpable violations of justice, but, as
class 10 truthful man will assert that they
are less honest, honorable and truthful than
other men Of equal intelligence and education
We are, also, prepared to admit that many un-
necessary suits have been brought which have
needlessly and oftentimes cruelty harrasscd
debtors, hut in most cases this has doubtless
beel the fault Of clients rather than lawyers.
OUTRAGEOUS CONDUCT we have been
| informed that the Camp Meeting, which was
being held near Weyers Cave, in this county,
last week, under the auspices Of the United
| Brethren church, was brought to close on