Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1889-12-14

insight anu peculiar pAOAn P1heSS, SSe
ties them. He is-to use Lord Camp
bells words-"a minister of justice,
instead of a declaimer, a trickster, or
a bully"
Legislatures have attempted to
subvert.the prerogatives of the pro-
fession, but they have only been
laughed into defeat and humiliation.
Beaufort, while Lord Chancellor q
England, in framing the writ ofsnn
mons, illegally inserted prohibition
"that no apprentice or other man of
law should be elected to Parliament"
What was the result of this class leg
islation +? When the fierce struggle
in Parliament occurred under Henry
", in which the Commons began
their fight against the Church, by de-
claring to the King that without
burdening his people, he might sup
ply his occasions by Selling on the
revenues of the clergy; that the cler-
gy possessed third part of the rich
es of the realm, and that the lessen
ing of their excessive incomes would
be an advantage to the State, though
absolutely right in their demands,
they were insulted and defeated, be-
cause the Chancellor was lawyer,
as we'll as churchman, and the Com
mons had not single member suf-
ficiently informed to cope with him.
Historians have branded this Parlia-
ment as parliame,atum indoctum, or
"lack-learning' Parliament, and Coke
observes "there never was a good
law made thereat" Lawyers ever
since for the good services of the
Commonwealth, have been eligible.
Indeed the history of England estab-
fishes the fact beyond doubt that
her laws reached their highest per-
lection and purity when administer
ed by those graduated from the law
universities and offices of the realm.
In Virginia futile attempt was
made to destroy the profession. Wig
orous legislation being enacted, law
yers were driven from the courts.
The result was an increase in litiga-
ton, confusion of laws, and an in
jury to jurisprudence that has de-
scended to the present day. The
courts in the midst of this discon-
tent were again thrown open to the
profession, and never again was
threatening legislation enacted.
Why carry the question of antipa-
thy further? Experience is a great
Instructor, and never has it vindicat-
ed profession as it has fhe legal
one. Let the unreasonable critic
pause, then, in all reason and right.
When he remembers the bright
names adjoining the history of the
jurisprudence of the world, he should
feel the blush of shame mantling his
cheeks. When he remembers that
many of the great reforms of the
world have been started by lawyers,
and that every Legislative body is di-
rected by their wisdom and exper-
fence, he should grow silent. What
ever of peaceful possession of prop
erty, Of personal liberty and relative
rights he enjoys, has been wrung
from monarchs and despots by law
yers at the imminent peril of loss of
life and Imprisonment.
Law will prove necessity as long
as the world exists, and until then
the services of lawyers will be re-
quired. They will ever be conceded
the first place in government and So
ciety. They will ever be found fight.
ing the battles of humanity, strong in
their firmness of conviction and gen.
erous and loyal in protecting the
weak and poor. Their labors will
ever be arduous, their achievements
wonderful and their intentions in the
main, worthy of admiration and re-
spect. They will be found support
ing and defending the accused and