The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1885-01-14

popular. They know that he has sdvan-
tages superior to theirs, and that be
claims to be above them, and they look
on his condescension as neanness; as
indeed it is, and they despise him.
By this is not meant that he must be
proud, naughty, or exclusive: quite the
reverse. He must be urbaue, disDifed
and approachable. He must lift un every
one that approaches him, and inspire
confidence in all who know him; 80 shat
every one may lean upon him, and trust
| him.
A distinguished example of such a
lawyer, lately passed from amoug Us,
known 10 all OF Us No man ever enjoy
| ed more respect than Hon. William A.
Graham \ playful incident will END 10
| illustrate this: st Hillsbors court a
| young member of the bar was amusing
himself By caricaturing his Older brethren.
L remember his caricature OF Hon. A.
W. Nenable, who was one of the best
takers | ever heard. and wa very fond
of talking:
"Venable talks little, what a pity
What he does say is so witty.
One hates TO lose a single whisper,
vi this slow talking tongue tied lisper.'
And remember his caricature of the
mild demeanor of another member.
'Reade's a queer one, let him alone!
he ain much more than skin and bone,
But if you rouse him, now take carel
He growls and tristles like a bear"
could probably recall scraps of his
other carlcatures. When. however, we
asked to sec what he said of Mr.. Graham
he said that he had such respect aud
veneratlon for Gov. Graham, that he
could not venture a caricature.
Another instance: There was in the
county in which | lived a representative
bad man. All the vices were his. He
made money by usury and oppression,
but still his leisure and shrewdness cave
| him influence. He was the seyerest
critic L ever knew on men like himself.
aud had the highest appreciation OF a
gentleman. Ii a lawyer was careless ia
his practice or behavior, he would say,
Now how would that lock in Billy Ora
ham, as he always called him, e~mphasiz
ing the last syllable. Do you think YOU
could catch Billy Graham at a thing like
thatl Gov. Graham, who had not a sin
gle quality IN common with him, was his
Cedu adedt OF a gentleman, and LAWYER,
and statesman. And this was the est
mate OF the character OF Gov. Graham
with all classes; and yet no man ever saw
him let himself down 20 court popular-
ity.
Pardonl a personal allusion: when |
commenced practice, | needed a horse to
ride to court, and | had no money. |
gave my note for one; and | soon found
the note in the hands of this hard man.
| told him | had nothing to pay with ex-
cept the horse; but if he could indulge
me would pay him the first fees | could
get. l did so. | never took a recent.
or saw an entry. When l made the last
payment and took up the note, every
cerely, and told him, that | was agree
ably disappointed; for | had heard that
he was a hard man, and that | had ex
pected hard treatment. he looked At
me quizzically and said, "Ifyou had had
the advantage of me?" No sir! No sir
said l, Well, said he, when I deal with
a gentleman, | deal as a gentleman, but
when | deal with a sharper, be NAV look
out for himself. | knew him long after
wards AID did much professional business
tor HIM: never encouraged or counters
anced bis vices, and yet l think be came
to esteem me as next to Billy Graham"
1t Is a great mistake for a lawyer to let
himself down to be popular. He need
not and must not be proud and naughty:
but he must be a gentleman, with a sound
heart, and good moral and religious
principles.
Not long ago a great moral reform was
attempted and failed by the popular
vote. A distinguished lawyer who was
active in it, said, that he supposed he
must go down with it. No, said [. YOU
Will not. 1t will not hurt you; but it
Will help you. If you want to be a con-
stable, 1t may burt you; but if you want
10 be a Judge, or Senator, or to fill any
other high and honorable position. it
VIII help you. In less than two years
that gentleman was on the Supreme
Court Bench.
~Eloquence at the bar is ornamental and
useful, and ought to be cultivated; but
1t seems not to be indispensable to sue.
cess. The crowd is apt to say of one
who cannot talk. He knows a bean
If be could tell it, and of one that
talks glibly, He can tell more than he
knows.o
MIR. Castor and Mr. Badger were |
earned, eloquent and successful. Chief
Justice Rutfin and Chief Justice Pearson |
were learned and successful without
eloquence. | have heard that Chief
justice Rufhin was a vehement speaker
and would sometimes knock the floor
instead OF the table with his knuckles:
Whlle his contemporary and rival, Judge
Murphy, was as soft as the lutte, and
would steal on the jury, and tap his
snuff box and offer g pinch.
Study, industry, ~urbanity, dignity, and
moral and religious principles.
Will make a great and valuable LAWYER.
Any other course will be fatal,
! our success or failure in your profess
sion depends upon yourselves. No one
can either help or hinder you. And in
bis 1t differs from other professions and
occupations. All ha, been done for
you that can be done.
....AR obstruction was placed on the
abroad track near Purvis, Miss, by