The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1892-09-01
tAS LAWYERS BE HONEST



One year ago the North imericdr
ReUieT. by one OF its contributors
asked the above question anu at
tempted a justification Of the query
in a well considered article. The
writer admitted the Injustice OF the
popular prejudice against lawyers
though Offering much that could
only be taken a. Endorsement Of ii,
The Importance of the iLquiry would
seem to demand that il he positively
and satisfactorily answered, no mat
ter what amount Of discussion Its
solution may require. There is no
doubt that either side can readily
enlist a multitude OF defenders, and
distinguished zeslOts may be found
In both ranks. Perhaps your hum
BILE subscriber can only serve,
Pstroclus-like, TO arouse some in
active Achilles, but he cannot be
content TO remain longer idle, while
the enemy seem to hold the vantage
ground.
Every lawyer discovers in early
practice that the average man bears
the legal profession q prejudice.
The admission OF this prejudice does
not abash its holder. Though his
personal experience may cause him
TO respect and admire every attorney
with whom he has business deal
ings, yet lawyers, as lawyers, he un-
hesitatingIy denounces. Though
other professions fare well at his
hands, al opportunity to decry the
legal profession IL never overlooked.
Some auaiyzing minds distinguish
the lawyer from the man, aud criti-
else only professional acts; but the
great majority Use no such discrimi-
nation, aud the man who practices
law IL by them viewed with
suspicion.
Lest by this we may be driven TO
teaches that the very character Of
the work Of the tcgdi profession de-
bars IL from the fair treatment and
kind consideration accorded To
others. The very nature Of our EN-.
ployment arouses the enmiiy Of our
neighbor, and makes us the target
for his shafts of TidicuIe aud arrows
OF abuse, while the work Of other
professions IL appealing TO his good
will.
IL II the minister's duty TO labor
for the salvation OF souls. lie kind
ly and gently leads the Maynard
and the erring one back To tie path
OF righteousness aud virtue which
brilliant with the light sublime
point the way To life eternal. As the
Master spoke words of comfort tn the
thief upon the cross, 40, To the guilty
murderer upon the scsiiold and the
wretched miscreant ut the guillotine,
the minister ciiers consolation, and
seeks TO buoy up the fainting soul
by the promise Of a happy hereafter
In exchange for an expression OF be-
lief and repentance. Though mess
enger OF the Prince OF Peace, he
willingly administers the sacrament
to the dying warrior, and devoutiy
utters q fervent prayer for his de
parting soul. In the ear OF the sob
bling widow and the trembling or
phan he whispers of the Almighty
Helper, whose powerful and protect
ing arm Is ever stretched forth for
the support and preservation of
those who lean on Him. To the up
right and self-satisHed, he appears As
the ambassador OF that Sovereign,
whose faithful and willing subjects
they proclaim themselves TO be.
Though the impious scofi.r may
ridicuie, the pronounced skeptic
may doubt, or the confirmed intidel
deny his assertions, yet his good
work still continues, and his. claims
can never be disprOren unless from
the spirit land shall return an oppo-
nent who knows. II aught OF error
his promise contains, 1t lI.only be
shown In The Beyond.
The intelligent, well-skilled aud
successful physician should and does
receive the favor and good will OF
the community In which he labors.
When dread disease with feverish
breath sends forth n pestilentisl
simeon, when maladies multiply,
contsgion reigns, OF plaques prevail,
he who can check these devastating
scourges, protect from their ravages
or restore their victims to health, L.
welcomed rs q miuistering angel,
and Is enthusiastically praised by all
who have been saved by his skill,
rs well as by all who rejoice In his
patients recovery. His only detrac-
tor IL some envious brother. In the
awful presence Of the grim Destroy
er, the hardest heart IL softened, the
sternest vissge grows mild, aud he
who has been rescued from the King
OF Terrors checks his rejoicing TO
voice his gratitude to his preserver.
Not every doctor merits praise.
And the new-piade mound and mar
BILE slab too oft bear silent witness
to the lack OF skill OF some practi-
TONER; but adverse comment has no
proof, and the buried blunder will
not rise to daunt him.
AAl0A.>> 49, e.