St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-07
70 The Law CLASS OF the STATE
UNIVERSITY
ABLE. PRACTICAL ADDRESS.

the one hundred were present, besides
members OF the faculty. friends of the
graduates and others. The governors
address was commented on as unusu-
ally practical and forceful. as the fol-
lowing extracts will show:
shall not, OIL this occasion, weary
your patience with dissertation upon
abstruse questions of law. Neither
shall enter into any discussion OF the
mere ethics Of the law. But l shall
content myself with Offering a few
practical hints and suggestions to you
who are now ABOUT to become active,
practicing lawyerS-tO you who are be-
ginnerS in the profession.
The first important step is to secure
proper location, q tenantable locus in
quo. What is the environment, and
what are the equipments OF the place?
Are there many lawyers, and are any OF
these men OF talents and real ability?
A numerous bar is not necessarily a
commanding or formidable one. II
strong in number. but weak, or mere
average in quality, it is precisely the
place for beginner of real force to
enter. Many lawyers are mere breed
ers of litigation. and serve only as
background for men Of genuine merit.
In town of 5000 there may be but two
lawyers. but these may be of such char
acter and ability as to effectually cover
the entire field for years 10 rome. In
another town of similar size there may
be over score of lawyers. but all of
them of such ordinary capacity that
good clients, with important cases, look
elsewhere for legal assistance. Otner
conditions being favorable, this is pre-
clsely the place tor the braiuy, alnbi-
tiOuS and aggressive man to settle in.
No field is more promising or SO invlt-
ing.
If you are not clear. or have any
doubts as to any point or principle of
law, always give natural equity, natural
science the benefit OF the doubt. The
scales of Justice will always lean that
way. Thrice is he armed who hath
his quarrel just If it is plaintiffs
case and your first case, be sure that
you stand OH good ground and that you
have good reason To look for success.
The public at large is apt to judge by
results, rather than by the mode
in which the work is done.
If you fail with plant
ifs case, you are apt to be credited
either with reckleSSneSs or with want
OF Judgment i'll bringing the action, and
you cannot, at the outset of your Ca
reer, afford to bear the burden or Fest
under the Odium of either charge. With
a defendants case it is different. That,
if you take 1t at all, you have to take as
you find, even if it is hard and doubt
full one. Failure her. is not of SO Sc
riOus consequence, ana Your skill, indie
pendent of tile outcome, is more apt to
be considered and fairly passed upon.
But at the outset of your career,
and for that matter always, be
honest to yourself and honest to your
client. Never commence an action un.
less you are morally convinced that you
have an honest and just cause. Always
have courage to tell your client. if such
the fact be. that his cause is bad and
unjust. 1t is as important for your own
conscious we'll being, as for your stand
ing and prosperity as a lawyer,
that you establish reputation
for honesty and integrity. as
for ability and perseverance. Ability
is plentiful, but ability coupled with
real integrity is not so abundant, and is
in far greater demand. To say of
young lawyer that he is sharp and smart
and TO stop there with mischiev0us
smile or all ambiguous shrug of the
shoulders. is damning with faint praise,
and bodies no good. Back of the lawyer
must be real genuine manhood-a man.
hood that inspires faith and confidence
in judges. Jurors and clients.
In examining witnesses always aim
to seek the truth with as little display
as possible. Woe to you if the jury get
1t into their heads that your are trying
the case merely 10 impress upon them
your smartness and keenness. They
may admire, but Will never Yield or
acquiesce in your effort. If, OH the
other hand. you impress them with
trying, honestly trying, to bring out
nothing but the real and substantial
facts; then they will sincerely and with
willing heart aid you in reaching
just and honest conclusion. Always
remember that jurors, as a rule, are
possessed of moral sense-a sense of
distinguishing right from wrong-and
that they are anxious to ascertain the
truth and to reach an equitable and lust
conclusion.
The able. honest and industrious law
yer. who has inspired and is worthy of
the confidence of the community. is
always wanted and has place to ill,
not ouly ut the bar-but as leader and
guide in all public affairs. No great
business enterprise is inaugurated or
liz
counsel or advice. In such cases he is
expected to be leader and to lead. The
most important public Offices and
places Of trust are open to him.
lie is expected, ii not to inspire,
at least to formulate and put in
tangible, working shape, through
suitable laws, all social and economic
reforms. Indeed, without him, many
an embryo reform would remain in a
stale of chaos, a mere creature of the
Imagination, something to worship but
nothing to give substantial relief. In
legislative bodies others may Inspire.
but he alone can clothe the Inspiration
Ill apt and effective legal dress. He.
more than any one else, can bring rea-
son to bear upon disorder and reduce
confusion to order.
Such lawyer as have suggested to
you is a true pillar of society. He is
not only leader at the bar, but he is
the leading citizen and the leading man.
Such a lawyer. with such purposes and
such aspirations, each of you should
strive and aim to be, and you
should be satisfied with nothing less.
True manhood, whatever may he
sought or gained, should always be
uppermost and alwaysin the ascendant.
Through that alone can you attain real
success and obtain that peace of mind.
and approval of conscience, which is
less periShable, and of far greater SOL
ace, than mere glory. or riches. Over
the grave of such lawyer, when his
task Is ended, can be truthfully in.
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