The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-10-18
American IaMrers

AucEiCuH Law TtAS.
The following is the speech of Lord
Coleridge at the banquet given him
by the Louisville bar last Thursday:
Mr.. Chairnfafi and Gentlemen:
As in the state from which recently
came, the state of New York, the state
of Grant and of Sheridan, it would
have been preSumptuous for anybody
to lecture upon law, so I cannot help
feeling. that way in this state, the
state Of Henfy Clay, Within sight
almost of that great statue which l
had the pleasure of looking upon to-
day, 1 feel very much in the position
in which l remember to have seen
gentleman of my time once. 1t was
in London in dancing ground. This
gentleman was deaf, and he would
take up his trumpet and when he
heard one feature of the argument he
dropped his TRUMPET; and after little
while he gathered 1t UP, again and
listened awhile and remarked: "The
same old dog in a different doublet."
1 have really nothing to say, but that
1 am very deeply grateful to you. /
have received from every one since
came to America that hospitable well
come which has made the name
of America famous throughout
the world. But coming, as
do, as the guest Of the
New York bar association. and
passing, as have passed. not always,
perhaps, but generally, from the care
of one bar association to another, it
has been almost inevitable that my
American experience should have
been chiefly, though not exclusively,
an experience with the American bar.
Now l do not regret this. Indeed, /
am very glad of It. For professional
reasons and reasons that are not pro-
fessional, I am always glad to meet
my professions: l am delighted to
have become acquainted with num-
Der of gentlemen in every state, and
almost, L may say, every city, who are
maintaining the dignity and the honor
of the profession to which it is my
pride and privilege to belong; main
tanning In the best way, showing by
example the unwritten code of honor
and independence; which is, after all,
the best foundation of our profession.
The unwritten code which we both
hold in common is perhaps the best
and surest foundation of our common
freedom. l have another reason,
which, as said, is not professional,
why l am delighted to have seen so
much of the American bar. You have
not in this country an aristocracy of
birth or position; and, believe me, it
is the expression Of the prayer, of the
earnest hope, of a true friend that ysu
may long be preserved from the curse
of feudalism, But in every country
there must be an aristocfaey-that is,
some better than others--and
in this country, do not know whether
you recognize it or not, but, whether
you recognize it or not. it is here.
You have an aristocracy of intellect
and letters, and in that aristocracy
of intellect and letters it is undoubted
that the lawyers of this country have
a very prominent position. They are
there by virtue of their abilities; they
are there because they have right
and have achieved right to be there.
If there is an aristocracy in this co1in-
try, it certainly contains the high
minded, accomplished and well-bred,
whom it has been my pride and de-
light to become acquainted with in
my passage through the states and
cities through which 1 have passed
If there be such an aristocracJ, all l
can say is that you are the most ia
vored, most fortunate and most happy
upon the face of the globe. And with
such aristocracy you have better
claim to the admiration and generous
envy of other nations than from your
size, were it twice as great, or your
wealth, were it ten times multiplied.
In passing through America l have
learned not only its greatness, though
upon that subject, if had any doubt,
my kind American friends would have
solved it for me; but have
also learned Of the infinite va
riety of America. l have passed
through many states and seen many
cities; every one seems to me to have
character; every one has distinctive
features; each differs from the others
One has beautiful streets, and charm
ing islands in its bay; another has TN.
paralleled splendor in its buildings,
stately and costly; one makes good
leather, one deals in cotton, one makes
horses and kills pigs, but in every one
of these great cities, no matter how
different their commercial relations
may be, have, found accomplished,
admirable, highlYieducated men; gen.
tlemen in every sense of the word.
Men of whom any capital in Europe,
Asia or Africa, if there be capitols in
Africa, might well be proud; men not
always, by any means, distinguished
in one profession only, men whom 1
have learned only to esteem in the
short time allowed me to make their
acquaintance; men of whom l long to
know more; men of whom 1t Is true
sorrow of an Englishman of my years
to think he can never see again. Now,
this is true of all places which 1 have
great and prosperous state of Ken
lucky and the beautiful city of Louis
vile. Indeed, you may be Justly
proud of it for many reasons, but
chiefly because you have made it for
yourself; and as none gave it to you,
SO none can take it aWay.