The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-05-21
COURTKsTEs AND AMENITIES Or
THE BAR.

As body, the members Of the bar arc
better informed and know more fully the
duties and privileges OF citizens generally
than any other class or profession. In
yir intercourse with each other, and with
use who are brought in contact with them
- business transactions, the utmost defer
ence and politeness characterize their con-
duct. But our attention has been called to
an abuse Of place which ought not to be
permitted to remain as a blot upon the fair
name and honorable bearing of the disci-
Piles of Blackstone. II is asserted that in
the prosecution Of cases and the argu-
ments which are made both for the
plaintiff and defendant, parties are some.
Hines assailed with words and language not
calculated to impress bystanders with their
honesty and integrity. And yet, after all,
after the case has been closed and the ex-
element passed of, the lawyer making the
charges and denunciations would be
shocked If called upon to state on oath
that the party assailed could not be be-
lieved on oath, and was not worthy Of the
confidence Of his neighbors. OF course,
such cases are exceptional; but they show
how necessary il is, even for those who deal
iR facts and evidepce, 20 guard against the
too common practice in society of using
denunciatory language against persons who
donot deserve the reproach which is too often
heaped upon them. The members Of the
bar should take steps to prevent repeti-
ton Of such abuse. Weknow that it is not
very often the ease, for as we haze said,
lawyers, as a general rule, are polite and
obliging, and do not place much credence
or importance in ''hearsay evidence.
Il would, therefore, be quite honorable
to the profession in the various States Of
the Union TO call meetings Of the bar, and
adopt such rules as would efectualIY cut of
such RIGHTEOUSNESS. It might be even made
accuse for striking the name Of the offender
from the roll of practitioners II he should,
witioat- evidence to support the charge,
allege that party had been guilty
Of any dishonorable, oct or ungen-
temanly conduct. The learned members
Of the profession will at once recognize the
Importance Of such rule. There should
be limit beyond which a member would
not dare TO go, il he valued the confidence
aud esteem Of his associates. The great
Calhoun, than whom no higher authority
can be cited, said that a lawyer should never
eondescend to do any act which was not
strictly within the circle Of his duties.
And to this end he held that when employed
90 defend the guilty, that his object should
he not so much to have him acquitted as to
sec that the criminal had the full benefit Of
every ground of defense. Much more
then, should the profession frown upon all
who take advantage Of their position, and
abuse and malign innocent parties in order
to break down the force of the opposition,
and perhaps turn loose upon society a man
who would only do evil Yet such is the
case. Bad men, seeing and knowing that
the evidence which would be introduced
against them was Of such damaging
character as to destroy all hope Of acquit-
tai, have concocted schemes for destroying
the standing and power Of the prosecution;
and for tins purpose have employed petit
foggers to do their dirty work. Not 30
with the high-toned practitioner. Although
he is ever ready to make HerCaIean efforts
for the welfare Of his client, yet, IL he
should be called upon to go outside Of the
evidence to do dishonOrable deed, he
would soon show his tempter the door, and
bid him 60 and seek some one else to carry
out his dishonorable purpose.
We have not written this article with
regard 70 any partleulat case: theyefo,s, no