Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-11-14

less inclination, either to know, or to take
notice Of, those ignorant slandarers, who
have dared to utter their bitter reproaches'
in your hearing against me. for having be-
come an advocate for criminals charged with
murder But the sting of reproach when
enrenomed only by envy and falsehood,
will never prove mortal Before pouring
their reproaches into the ears OF the
agsi and intrm, if they hal been
friends, they would have surely
spared little reflection on the nature
Of an attorneys oath and duty, me trihiny
scrutiny into the business and discharge of
his Office. and some small portion Of pa,ien
in viewing my past aud future conduct
Let such be told sir, that these criminals,
charged with mur1er. are not yet tegaHy
prored guitty, and therefore. however crimi.
nal. are entitled, by the laws of God and
man, to ali legal counsel and aid that my
duty as man obliged me to undertake that
my duty, as a lawyer strengthened the obi
cation; that from abundant caution at first
decliued being engaged; that after the best
sivice and mos, mature deliberstion had de-
tsrmined ju igment | waited on Captain
Preston, and old him that | woull afford
him my assistance; but. prior to his, in the
presence of two of his friends | made the
most SApilCit uttldFhiiUH 10 fiiui. OF NY
opinion of the contests (4s expressed it to
him of the times. and that nv heart and
hand were inlissolubly a'tached TO til cau,a
of my country; and, finally. that | refused
all engagement, until advised and urged to
undertake it, by an Adams. a Hancock, a
Molineux. Cushing. Htnshsw, Pemher-
ton. Warren, a Cooper, and Philiips
This ard much more might be told with great
truth and dare affirm that YOU. and this
~heie peop e. will one DAY REJOICE that |
became an advocate for the aforv said .'crimi
nails charged with the murier of our fellow
citizens.
II never hsrborrd the expectatior nor any
great desire that all men should speak we'll
of me. 70 inquire my duty and to DO it is
M AIM Being mortal, | am subject to
error; and conscious of this, | wish TO he
diffident Being natural creature, | judge
for myself. according TO the light afforded
me When plan of conduct is
formed with An honest deliberation, neither
murmuring, SANDER. nor reprosches move
7 n my single self. | consider, judge, aud
with reason hope to be immutable. There
are honest men in all sects wish their ap
probation. There are wicked bigots in all
parties; I abhor them.
am truly and affectionateiv your son,
Josiah QUINCY, Jun.
Thus adopting the views of that eminent
English advocate, Basil Montegu, who in
defining the true position of an attorney, in
The Bsrrister," says. 'he does not mix
himself with the client or the cause with
the slauderer, the sduterer. or the traitor,
whom it may be his duty to defend. He
lends his exertions to all, himself to none
We find Mr.. Qaincy yielding all personal
considerations to the higher obligations of
official duty. And hi, prediction that the
people would one day rejoice, verified. For
after the lapse of three quarters Of n century.
an able reviewer, in commenting upon his
action, says. 1T is a sublime spectacle to
Sc the soldier, in front of trembling.
panic-st-icken army, breasting the shock
of battle, and by his single arm
and heroic spirit rekindling their dropping
courage, and turning the tide of
battle II is not less subj me 10 see the
advocate IN the midst of raging populace,
thirsting for victim calmly, fearlessly
opposing himself alone to the mighty mass,
sometimes AT the peril of his life, always at
the peril of his darling reputation; and at
last. changing he whole current Of popular
feeling by his single voice and thus rescuing
some from death. and all from crime