Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-08-08
TEHE CHRISTIAN EAvVYGfs.
AN ExrRAcr.

. y But passing this point, per-
nit mo to notice somo things which belong
in an especial manner to the sphere of the
members of tho Bar:
l. As members Of profession designated
to promote tho peace Of society and tho
maintenance Of rights, you arc specially
bound to reprcss all unjust litigntions aud
promote tho peaceful settlement Of disputes.
l am perfectly aware Of the character of the
ground on which stand in this and another
remark it is my purpose to make; and am
equally aware that tho ground has been
made doubtful md delicato, not by its own
nature. but by want of that nice sense of
Justice, that elevated morality, and that
pure Christian feeling which ought cmi-
nently to characterize those who orc the
ministers of the law There are no persons
in the world that occupy position so
favorable for fomcuting quarrcls, for stirring
up litigation, and encouraging thosoN who
mny have some right on their side to cx-
treme measures; neither arc there any who
hold more favorable position for calming
the excited passions and removing tho un--
just prcjudices of clients, for preventing
rulnous suits, e1cosing u mutual rcconcila..
ton, and so securing to both parties tho
great ends of justice, without tho exacerba.
ton of feeling and pccuniary loss of an
open rupture and public trial. There arc
cases constantly occurring where tho power
and tho right arc on the ono side, but tho
inability und disposition to do right are on
the other; where it is in the power of an
advocate either to ruin tho weak by on i'm
mediate pressure or to save him by Just
accommodation. There arc other oascs
where there is but nominal right on the
one sido, and the real right is on the other;
but where, by fincsse and cunning tho nomi.
nal may carry it over tho real Aud thero
arc others still, where there is no right at
ali; whc.c tfero is vi)lainy weaving his net
Of teohnicalities and obsolete statues around
the unsuspccting and rho innocent for the
solo purpose Of plumber; whcro the heart
less wretch has taken the law for cover to
his iDiquity and seeks, through tho very
hands of Justice, unjustly to prey upon tho
hard carncd property of another. And tho
question, in regard to oil thoso cases, is,
whether the lawyer is placed in his position
and clothed with high authority to act in
bohalf of his fellow.man, merely that he
may gather a livelihood or fortune; or
whether ho is not minister OF law and
justice, bound to promote the right, protect
tho inpocont, and advance tho peace of
society; whothor he is sot apart as public
hack, to be ridden for fee whorcsover the
base aud the vile may direct him; or whether
he is not sworn advocate Of tho right and
true, whose imperative duty it is to allay
strife, frown upon villainy, and koop his
hands pure from the oppression of tho in.
nocont; whether he is bound to lond him.
self, os party and an advocate, to all wto
claim his services, whatevor BIO the nature
OF their cause, and so prostitute his mind
to the basest uses, make his knowledge Of
all tho imperfcctions of the law, his tact in
the conduct of suits, and his power of
eloquonco Gone of the greatest gifts of
heaven) means to dofoat tho ends of tho
law, ovcrtnrn right, and cxalt dishonesty to
hor seat? admire tho answer Of an cmi
ncnt lawyer Of this city who, whom applied
to to conduct al important ecclesiastical
suit, after long and faithful examination
declared to the party wishing to employ
him: "You have no right to this property
either in law or equity, and cannot under.
take your oauso." There is an obligation
which Christianity imposes upon your pro.
fession---an obligation which must bo met
ono Gay iu circumstances of awful solomnity
Ito use tho position Of power you occupy,
to 'discountenanoe oil unjust and useless
litigation--all litigation open to compro..
misc or involving tho practical subvcrsion
Of tho rights Of individuals and tho peaoo
Of society.
I'd. Asthc minister Of law, oroatcd for