The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
hR. CONKLING AND THE CENTRAL BAIL
WAY.
The Senator'S Expla nation and Defence.
From the Troy Times.]

The Senator'S Expla alton and Defence.
From the Troy Times.l
In arguing the case before the Court Senator
Conkling took occasion to advert to these calum-
MES. The stenOgrapher's notes OF this portion OF
his address are before u.s. After detailing how. OF
an early stage OF the proceedings, he was asked to
undertake the defence in any judicial proceedings
that might arise, and declined, because the mat
ter was still pending in the departments, he re-
views hts 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
have been in public lie has 1t been necessary to
pursue my procession Tor my own main tenance
ana FOR tnat OF those dependent on me. II Is an
been, sueadlasiy obeyed, always, when 1t does not
consume tue time due to puolic iabors All OF this
Is OF no interest 10 Your Honor or to any one but
myself and yet leel warranted in abiding 10 1t Tor
reasons winch Will appear IN moment. IL 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 we meant 10 try 1t.
But the defendant, IN spite OF our wish, removed
1t here. Moved by the hope OF partisan advantage,
or Dy some kindred motive 1t has pleased persons
connected WIN puollc prints TO arralgn the pro,
acting, as they say against the government; as II
there was anything in law, or morals. or reason,
Iorbidding any lawyer from acting professionally
against the government before a court OF JUS
tlce. rnere has been. much OF this censorship
Indeed, have been assured by ear witnesses That
II was announced In The streets months ago that
Was to be driven from the case by persls tent
printed caumny. The effort has been somewhat
persistent; II mas been carried so far, regret to
say, as TO reach attempts to oespatter more than
one OF the Judges before whom the case had come
10 De triaDe Sucn assaults upon courts are certain,
even yet TO rec0l on their authors without other
injury except to the cause ofdecency. AS attempts
by ntim datlon to impede or influence the course OF
justice they deserve to oe rebuked. As ebulltions
vi spite, and as abuses or the freedom OF the
press, they ought, perhaps, to be overlooked
am9 ma the petty 1raaes OF politics aude
Honor. and 10 say that the fmpudence OF these
hoeilers mas given 10 my espousa OF THIS case 9
never nave had and to say, further, that
after my right TO act as counsel had been
cause had no fee or REV. I'd attended 1t beyond the
CONSCIOUSNESS 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 camor, and despite
the pens OF libellers, whether they write rom
malice or only Ior railroad pass or ior hush
offered retainer who should refuse 1t or throw up
the case Tor ear that obioquy might tall on him for
ing az u member OF the Bar. II the retainer were
against the crown and he should iaIter ne would
appear against the humbiest peasant IN all the
realm. me memorable language OF LORD
Brougham on the trial OF queen Caroline was only
q passionate 0utpourlng OF this chivaIric sent
ment In this country the morale OF the pro-
LESSON IN this respect has not yet reached the
standard which has long been maintained in West.
Minister Hail; but would hold myself unworthy
place on the rolls II, oeing asked to argue case
involving great sum OF money, the regulations OF
many and the interests OF many more, and invoiv-
ing also grave questions OF law. | should shrink
from standing al the Bar OF the country and vind-
eating as best could, the constitution. the law
and the right, even for an unpopular or hated
Client because political opponents or slanderers
might defame me for dong Il. give my gage that
II the time shall ever come, politics or no politics,
when am AFRAID to brave such danQers-afraid TO
hew TO the line OF professional integrity and ndei-
!ty let the lips ny where they may. VIII CONFESS
worthy membership OF the Bar. unworthy the as.
ISOLATION OF men who place truth and honor above
the passionate discords the gr0veltng resentments
or the acclamationa Of the hour.