The daily state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 188?-1891, 1890-08-12
\ JUDICIAL OPINION OF THE
LAWYERS.
Especial Cor. State Chronicle

oOA'
GoLDsBoRo, n. c., Aug. Sin the
last volume of the Lawyers Edition of
the Supreme Courts Reports.is published
an address of Justice Harlan, of the
United States Supreme, Court, delivered
at the Centennial celebration of the or
ganization of the Federal Judiciary,
held at New York, February 4th, 1890,
in response to the toast, "The Supreme
Court of the United States" from which
| make a few extracts, thinking them
not inappropriate:
Upon the integrity, learning ard cour-
age of the bar largely depends the well
fare of the country of which they
are citizens for, Of all mem
bers of society, the lawyers are
best qualified by education and training
to devise the methods necessary to pro-
tect the rights of the people against the
aggressions of power. But they are
also, in the best sense, ministers of JUS
tice. 1t is not true, as a famous lawyer
once said, that an advocate, in the dis
charge of his duty, must know only his
client. He owes duty to the court of
which be is an officer, and to the COM
munity, of which he is member. Above
all, he owes a duty to his own con-
science. He misconceives his high call
ing If he fails to recognize the fact that
fidelity to the court is not inconsistent
with truth and honor, or with fearless
discharge of duty to his client. It need
scarcely be said N this presence that the
American bar have met a}lithe demands
that the most scrupulous integrity has
eXacted from gentlemen in their 20
sition.
In the addresses to-day n uch was said of
the Supreme Court Of tie United States
that was gratifying as Veil to those now
members Of that tribunal as to all who
take pride in its history. But, Mr..
President, whatever of honor has come
to that court for the manner in which
it has discharged the momentous trust
committed to it by the constitution must
be shared by the bar of America
"Justice Sir" Il use the words of Dan
iel Webster) rs the great interest OF
man on earth. It is the ligament which
holds civilized beings and civilized ma
tions together. Wherever his temple
stands, and SO long as it is du-
| ly honored, there is founda-
ton for social security, general
happiness and the improvement and
progress of our race. And whoever la
| bors on this edifce with usefulness and
distinction, whoever clears its founda
tions, straightens it's pillars, adorns its
| entab!atures, or contributes to raise its
august dome still higher in the skies
| commits himself in name and fame and
| character, with that which is and must
be as durable as the frame Of human so
clety! The temple of Justice which ha.
been reared in this fair land is largel,
the work Of our lawyers. If there be Sc
curity for life, liberty and prosperity, i
is because the lawyers of America have
not been unmindful Of their obligation
as ministers Of justice.
Search the history Of every State il
the Union, and it will be found tha
they have been foremost in all move
ments having for their object the main
tenance of the law, against violence an(
anarchy the preservation Of the jus
rights both Of the government and o
the people.
| I read recently a brief speech of Mr.
Gladstone, at a banquet given man,
years ago in honoring the great Frenc
advocate, Berger. He had visited tn
south of Europe, and witnessed ther
much crime and oppression Of the pee
pie. The executive power, he said, nc
!, only had broken the law, but had estat
lished in its place system of arbitrar
will. He found, to use his own word
that the audacity Of tyranny, which ha
{ put down chambers and municipalitit
and eztinguished the press, had not bee
able to do one thing to silence the ba
He, himself, heard lawyers IN courts
justice, undismayed by the presence
7 soldiers, and and in defiance Of despot
t power, defend the cause of the accuse
9 with fearlessness that could not ha'
q been surpassed. He was moved, On th
occasion, to saying of the English ba
: what may truly be said Of the Americ;
f bar, that it's members are inseparab
}, from our national life, from the securi
= Of our national institutions.
\ W. G. MUNRoE.
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