National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-05
sENAToR O0NKLING.
OF HIS CONNECTION
WITH THE CENTRAL RAILWAY CASE

EXPLANATION OF HIS CONNECTION
WITH THE CENTRAL RAILWAY CASE
LFrOm the Troy Times,l
In arguing the case before the court, Senator
Conkling took occasion to advert 70 these cal.
umniss. The steRogTaphsr's potes Of this por.
ton Of his address are before US. Amer detail.
ing how, at an early stage Of the proceedings,
he was asked. to undertake the defence in any
judicial proceedings that might arise, and de-
clined, because tbs matter was still pending in
the departments, he reviews his subsequent
connection with the case, and sums the entire
matter up in the following brave and eloquent
words:
The practice Of law Is my profession and
"the mean whereby l live" Never so much
as since ] have been in public life has it been
necessary to pursue my profession for my own
maintenance and for that of those dependent
on me. 1t is an absolute necessity, and one
which will be, as it has been, steadfastly
obeyed, always, when It does not consume the
time due to public labors. All of this Is of no
interest to your Honor, or to any one but my
self, and yet feel warranted in alluding to It
for reasons which will appear In a moment.
1t should here be stated that this action was
commenced by US IN the courts of the State of
New York; there we meant to keep it-there
u
spite of our wish, removed It into the courts OF
the United States and brought # here. Moved
by the hope OF partisan advantage, or by some
kindred motive, It has pleased persons con-
nected with public prints to arrAign the pro-
priety Of my acting as counsel In the case
and acting, as they say, against the Govern
meDt; as II there was anything IN law, or
morals, or reason, forbidding any lawyer from
acting professionally against the Government
before a court Of justice. There has been much
Of this censorship. Indeed, have been as
sured by ear witnesses that 1t was announced
in the streets months ago that was to be
driven from the case BY persistent printed
eslumny.
The effort has been somewhat persistent; It
has been carried 50, far, regret to say, as to
reach attempts to bespatter more than one of
the judges before whom the case had come to
be triahle. Such assaults upon courts are GER
tain, even yet, to recoil on their authors, with
out other injury, except to the cause of de-
cency. As attempts by intimidation to impede
or influence the course Of justice they deserve
to be rebuked. As ebulitions Of spite, and as
abuses of the freedom Of the press, they ought,
perhaps, to be overlooked among the petty
brutaiities Of politics. I allude to the subject
to bring it to the notice Of your honor, and to
say that the impudence Of these Hbeilers has
given to my espoussl of this case a warmth
which, but for their attacks, It would never
have had; and to say, further, that after my
right to act as counsel had been thus called IN
question l would have tried this cause had no
fee or reward attended Il beyond the conscious
ness and satisfaction which every lawyer must
feel when he proves that he has the courage
and the virtue to maintain the rights Of his
client and himself against popular clamor, and
despite the pens OF hbellers, whether they
write from malice or only for q railroad pa8
or for hush money or blackmail. In England
q barrister offered retainer who should refuse
Il or throw up the case for fear that obloquy
might fall on him for doing his duty would
forfeit his prestige and standing az q member
of the bar, If the retainer were against the
Crown and he should falteF ha would be held
In meaner estimation than If be refused 10
appear against the humblsSt peasant In all the
realm. VIZ G
The memorable language Of Lord Brougham
on the trial Of Queen Caroline was only pas
sioDate outpouring OF this chiYalrlc sentiment
In this country the morale Of the profession IN
this respect has not yet reached the standard
which has long been maintained in Westminster
Hall; but would hold myself unworthy q
place on the rolls II, being asked TO argue g
case involving great sum OF money, the repu-
tions Of many and the interests OF many more,
and involving also great questions Of law, I
should shrink from standing at the bar Of the
country and vindicating as best / could the |
construction, the law and the right, even for
an unpopular or hated client, because political
opponents or slanderers might defame me for
doing IL. give my gage that n the time shall !
ever come, politics or no politics, when ! am |
afraid 70 brave such dsngers-afraid 70 hew 70 |
the line Of professional Integrity and fidelity,
let the chips fly where they may, will confess
myself unworthy 10 stand before court, un- |
worthy membership Of the bar, unworthy the |
association Of men who place truth and honor
above the passionate diScords, the RroYelinp |
resentments or the acclamations Of the hour,