The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-10-29
The Bar Association.

The twelfth annual meeting of the Ver-
mont Bar Association was called to order
by the president, Hon. l.. II. Thompson.
George W. Wing Esq, secretary, and
Judge Carleton, treasurer, presented their
respective reports. Several names were
presented for admission, and the secretary
was, on motion of Hon. Daniel Roberts,
instructed to cast one ballot for the candi-
dates, which was done. Judge Thompson
then presented the annual address. 1t was
scholarly sind interesting address upon
the origin, growth and achievements of the
bar. The address was pronounced one of
the most able that has ever been presented
to the association at its annual meetings.
The achievements of the bar in the lead
ing nations of the world were pointed out.
Law is the result of "A continual struggle for
right, whether viewed in regard TO nations
or individuals. In this struggle the poor,
the ignorant, the humble, and the slow of
speech, must be placed az great disadvan-
tage in a contest for their rights under the
law and before the law as against the rich,
the learned, the powerful and the eloquent.
In this disparity, no doubt. originated the
office of the advocate. 1t was evidently an
office of great antiquity. job says, 80,
that man might plead with God as man
pleadeth for his neighbor." The position
OF the advocate in ancient and medieval
times was referred TO, particularly in Rome,
France, England and America. In Russia
there never was snch a system. Each mau
took care of his own matters in such behalf,
which probably accounts for the Nihiistic
features of to-day in that country. In 1860,
the rules governing the conduct of adVO-
Gates were stated. These rules breathed
spirit of the highest morality and integrity,
and, if applied and lived up to at this day,
would afford The most exemplary rules of
conduct of the members of the profession.
The address dwelt upon the services of the
lawyers in the struggle that resulted in the
birth Of this great nation, and the fOrma-
tiOn and construction of our system of gov
ernment. notwithstanding the fact that
the lawyers occupied the position of the
champions of law, order, and good govern
ment, the profession had been the butt of
rldicule and caricature, the first objects at
which the destructive fanCieS of lawleSS
mObS had been directed. The address occu-
pied about forty minutes in its delivery and
was listened to with interest and attention.
Al its conclusion hearty and spontaneous
burst of applause denoted the satisfaction
of the audience
Hon. T.. a. Sowles followed with paper
ON the life and professional career of Judge
Heman X. BeardSley, late of St. Albans.
Elisha May, Esq, OF ST. Johnsbury pre-
sented "A patchwork of oddities on the pro-
fessiun and some of its departed brilliant
and witty followers. For about fifteen min
utes Mr. May kept the audience in continual
laughter. An able and eloquent tribute 10
the memory of Judge Poland, in a sketch
of his life and career as juriSt aud states
man, brought the meeting TO IA close, to
meet shortly thereafter in the dining room
of the Pavilion.
A choice menu was furnished by that
hotel, and the originality of Secretary Wing
was made manifest in the style Of the bill
of fare, which was printed in the form of
legal brief and on the orthodox legal-size
quarto paper. 1t was entitled "Vermont
Bar Association vs. the Pavilion. "
The cloth removed, the president intro
duced the distinguished guest of the associ-
tion, Senator Ednunds who said, in sub
stance: Mr.. President, or Mr. Chief
address you by The practice in
this court is different from that of
any court ever knew, in that you have
called upon the talesmen first, instead of
the regular panel. | suspect you probably
employed detectives; for, if you had waited
five minutes more, about eight of us at this
end Of the table would have gone out be-
cause we were already satisfied with the
good things we had had, Speaking seri-
ously, you have done me the honor 10 call
upon me to refer to national legislation
and national decisions AS affecting the in-
terests of the people of the states, and am
glad you have referred TO the subject. IL
has been hundred years since the national
government was formed out of the y atrs
and hy the states, and for the first
time in that one hundred years has arisen
question as 10 the extent and scope
of the functions that the states have
hitherto exercised, aud without the pres
ervation of which the Union could not
have been formed, for not "A single state
would have gone into it, We are tod
now that, If the principle is carried out,
il is not possible for a state, without the
consent OF congress land how congress ever
got the power except in the several in
stances named in the constitution, l am