Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04

the Roman law, (no better Interpretation OF
which can DO found than the golden rule), is
the very spirit Of our present system Of juris-
prudence. Thus Il will DO seen that upon
the foundation Of natural justice and natural
right, which yields to each and all the same
privileges, regardless Of state and condition
and by ascertainiug and Incorporating addi-
tiOnal rights as intelligence expanded, has
this elaborate superstructuro been reared.
The system is by no means complete, but
progressive, aud as il owes much Of its value
to the rapid increase Of knowledge in modern
times the limit Of its progress is commensu-
ate only with that Of human understanding.
Then TO know our duty fully; to compre-
bend our own privileges and immuuities; TO
appreciate in the capacity Of individuals our
relation to community, state and nation, as
determined by reason, common sense and
ability, unaffected by prejudice, knowledge
Of justice in tho abstract seems absolutely
indispensable.
To serve in the capacity Of public servant !;
to render impartial decision in the case Of
others, as in the capacity Of juror or referee /;
to properly fulfill the responsibility Of parent,
teacher, guardian or master; to intelligently
execute the privilege Of the elective fran.
chise TO ensure judicious legislation to
determine fully every duty, public or pri.
vate, knowledge Of the principles Of law
seems to be prerequisite. No one can COM
plain that there is no opportunity for such
attainment. Decisions and opinions are daily
reported and principles expounded by the
press; elementary treatises are to be found
10 every public library aud to be had at
prices within the means Of all /; our colleges
aud law-schools provide lectures by talented
professors; 80 that no man possessed of or.
binary education and ability need complain
for lack Of an opportunity. Every graduate
should attend a course Of lectures, for, as
this government is dependent for its perpetu
ity upon educated men, whose Judgment
should be modified by wisdom; hence, the
lack of a proper understanding of funda.
mental principles upon their part, is the
grOssest negligence.
Vexatious litigation might daily be pre-.
vented individual differences and local
quarrels settled; causes for action mainly
resulting from ignorance aud obstinacY,
would be suppressed harmony aud brother
y love would DO promoted and fostered iu-
dividual security become more firmly estab-
lished /; many Of the evils induced by stu
pidity and the sharp practices Of the unscru.
pulous, who degrade the noble profession oil
the law, be arrested complications arising
from carelessness and misunderstanding, as
for instance, the recent election difficulties
might be avoided; a healthier tone Of both
public and private life result, as a conse-
quence OF the diffusion Of such knowledge
Tho present abuses of both justice and
jury trials might be corrected, if men acting
| ~ buVoo OopeoibiSo WSto uuiJ uOeA
as to their duties, and upon the maxims Of
tho law; and the Ingenious arguments and
trickery Of cunning practitioners thereby pre-
vented from subverting justice by subtlety
exaggeration and craft
These are some few of the many adsan
tagcs offered, only bare outline, which car
be rounded out by multitude Of facts re
lating to all the varying degrees of wrong
from simple trespass to the atrocity of muir
der /; the resulting causes Of which we're mis-
understandings between individuals regard
ing privileges, many of which might have
been prevented by the possession of such
knowledge of the rudimeuts Of law, as every
well-intentiOned citizen is, in duty to society
bound to acquire. j. w. D., in.