The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-06-04
THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

EDITORS CLARION. 1t seems 10 one on the
outside, and | might say, also, TO one who is
member OF the Legal Union, that the profes-
sion is very much overrun. The body of the
law is incumbered with superluous members,
that are like Nirgils army, which he tells rs
was so crowded, that many of them had not
room to use their weapons. But this compari-
son to Virgirs crowded army, does not apply to
all Of this class of professional men; because it
is natural to suppose that every soldier in that
grand a5u,y, knew how to his weapon, when
an opportunity offered; which cannot be said
of every member OF the legal profession; be
cause young limbs Of the TAR frequently venture
forward too early for their own good-and
while yet in their Hcipjc15t state, TO speak,
make plumbers from which they never recov-
err But circumstances make men-that is, the
time in which they live, and the circle in which
they move, and their department to their fell
low-men have much to do with their success
in lie. How many of our brightest young
meE have undertaken the responsible task OF
becoming legal counselors for their country,
that have, after years OF miss-put labor and
energy, retired in despair?
The cause of this downfall may be attribu-
ted to different things: frequently, it receives
more aid than resistance from the subject upon
which it preys; but upon the rhoie it Is
better to be born lucky than rich But We
can take an opposite view Of the matter, and
we are at once confronted with characters who
have placed themselves within the ranks
of the greatest talent of the country who had
all the disasters, and impedimeatS to contend
with that The, walks OF life could possibly pre-
n,,,rI Webster said that no
how crowded vocation might he, there Is al
WAYS room for others on the top shelf. Am
bitinn and aspiration, aided by perseverance,
will accomplish any undertaking. To-day
many OF our ablest lawyers who occupy the
HIGHEST positions in the calling OF a nation,
both on the bench and in the Legislative halls
of our proud Republic, began life with not
enough money 10 pay their necessary expenses,
have pushed forward, aided by circumstances,
and their own untiring efforts until success
has been attained. Yes, these gentlemen know
lust how deep into the ground the hickory grub
crows. because they have had the task of ex
tracting the same when the rays OF the sun
poured down upon them with much force
that they perspired freely enough to make cool
their person with perspiration; and when they
look back upon those days that were spent IN
hard labor. il serves only a stimulant to
cause them TO push forward To grasp the rtch
bffrcLs that Law in store for aspiring frieRt
This prodigious society of men may be Ill
vided into the litigus and peaceahle. Under
the first are comprehended all those who offer
their services as counscllors and attorneys TO
the troubled public Martinet's description OF
this species OF lawyers is full of humor.
i" Lvs ct ccrba loe,aa"
The peaeeable lawyers, are in the first place,
MANY of the benchers of the courts OF our
country. who seem to be the dignataries OF the
law and are endowed with those qualltica-
IL. lfSb m
for ruler, than a pleader The men that
compose this branch of the legal profession,
live nuietIv in their places of habitation, en-
loving the rich reward of the professional
Iife-only putting themselves into active ser
vice during the sessions of their courts re-
snectivelv. They are prohibited by the stat
ME laws from giving legal advice on any point
whatever and think, very justly, too
For he that sets in judment,
And as arbitrator acts,
For his fellow man,
Must not seek. a Developments OF the facts
trust that there are but few men but what
are ready, and willing to admit that the call
inc of the LAWYER is the most responsible OF
ali positions that are to be supplied by men,
r. Them are entrusted oftentimes the RESPONSE
b;J;t, of the supervision OF mllllonalrs estate,
~ veil as the jeopardy of human life. Per
hans some one win not agree with me In TINS
,,o1;tion and will retaliate by saying that the
courts of the land have the exclusive control
"a sueh matters: but will not moments re-
4ection convince all, that lawyers control
co,,rts-whether that controlling power be wise
- ,ot and il is always not, with the unsuccess-
fal cl;saf 1t is the great advantage OF trad
~, nation that there are very few in il so dull
and heavy. who may not be placed in stations
Il lie which may give them an opportunity
Of making their fortune 4 well-Fegulated1
9o1,merce is not like law, to be overstocked
i, Lsy,ls. Int on the contrary flourishes by
n,,ltitudes. and gives employment TO all Its
,,r,fessors Fleets of merchantmen are as SO
800 soua9rous of floating shops, that vend
n,,- waTes and manufactures In all markets OF
The world. and find out cheapaess under both
the tropics. But what is tasrf