Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-07

Claude a. Swanson. X. ;. Thomas, Judge
1neh r. Watts, Hon. William Writ
Henry. Judge 7. A. Wickham and W. w.
Ola
The meeting was called TO order by
Judge w. J. Leeke. chairman Of the Exc
cutive Committee who presented Captain
Charles NJ. Blackford, president of the
association. Captain BlaclIford was
warmly greeted as he came forward to
make his annual address.
President DInckford's Address.
President Blackford's address was
discussion of the question, why
lawyer Should Devote Some Of His Time
20 General Literature" After a graceful
Introduction he said:
Il make this selection because my ex-
oerience and observation alike lead me 20
believe. that despite its learning. in
austry. and high code Of ethics. the Bar
Of Virginia needs to be stimulated in
this direction. The times have not been
propitious TO the development Of literary
culture amongst us. We have been forced
10 devote our energy more to the ac-
QUESTION Of bread for the present than
OK fame for the future. and the prompting
Of our zeal has found its origin more
in the res augusta dOmi of now than in
tho ycafning for pOsthumous repute. We
dedicate our time and our labor to that
which is practical and present because
such time and labor find their
reward I'm returns which meet our
Immediate wants. and are necessary TO
our happiness. and to that of those de-
pendent upon US. II Is necessary we
should 90 this to a very large extent,
but that necessity does not alter the
fact that except those who leave a record
20 posterity In opinions as appellate
Judges. itself high literary work. only
hose lawyers who devote much time 10
literature and literary work leave a name
which long survives the cases in which
they are counsel
THE MAN or TO-DAY.
The speaker expressed the conviction
that the man Of to-day. no matter what
his habits or vocation. Is better than the
man Of the same class has ever been be-
FORE and while he could not he said.
lessen the requirements or lower the
standard Of learning Din the law)- in It's
technical sense. he would by the study
q literature tighten the ponderous solidi-
T. Of the grave science Of the profession.
After following this line at some length,
and making a strong argument in sup
port ~ his position, President Blackford
continued:
"a
something OF a traitor 10 my calling. i
am constrained to express the opinion
that neither the study nor the practice
Of the Law tends 10 broaden the mind or
o. give IL "a wider range Of thought. II
sharpens. quickens. and brightens the
mind. making ii more aleN, observant,
AMI accurate; but In rendering more acute
90 nauows its aims, and by leading ii
into the constant channel Of precedent.
10
Went Co the opinion Of others. In the con-
tests Of the forum the effort Of the COM
lataUt l~ not confined strictly 10 the
search for what is true In principle. He
is necessarily an advocate and must en-
Ceav0r 90 secure results by reasoning and
tF the Ingenious application of admitted
I.iuopies % established facts or else TO
Sd logically present facts as to bring
them under the control Of admitted prin-
c.rles. This is his duty. and one which
Pc owes t0 himself and the cause Of his
client and in t there is no moral wrong,
hut az The same time the intellectual
process by which he reaches his conclu-
sions IS io1 acute to secure sound judg-
mem ana TOO ingenious to develop COM
preheysite thought
This effect Of the exclusive study Of
specially s by no means confined 10
those who have devoted their lives to the
law Even tne scientist is not free from its
influence u is seen IN the conduct of the
autocrauc physician az the bedside; In
The hook-made nerals. the pendantry
OF whose warfare has beloved the earth
with their victims. and IL conspicuous In
the clergy who. unfortunately for their
tHqtncy, have 40 one ID combat their
dic;a."
president Blackf)fi then cited some of
the leading instances in which eminent
lawyers had also made great regulations
III literature other than the technical lite
ie'nie or me law and In this part of his
"11''ss showed most extensive reading
ahl slN4y 20 these authors. and. In con-
tuding, said.
il Is OUR DUTY.
wherever the traditions Of Virginia
teH OF mighty deeds in forum, in council,
or IN war. +, is our duty 70 preserve them.
NhI whenever Nirsinian has added lus-
Ue % ncr name the story Of his life
SHOULD Do recorded. Two OF our number
or W W. Henry and MI X. NJ. Hughes
nave in The last few years done well their
Part Ia this departm mt OF literary work,
,'i as class We have done but little IN
tl.s direction.
Nowhere on this continent is there
'''h rich historic ground as in Virginia;
lo"here is every vale and every noun
hln every river, and every plain so
u.fe with great traditions; nowhere In
his OR any other land IL there more to
wake 20 ccstacy the living Tyre" or
'1lse 20 enthusiasm the muse of history.
re- now little is being done to secure
ini preserve this rich heritage 20 our
porle, The graves OF martyred war
'ors marked By no animated bust or
Nofled urn. can be found in every ham
10 and from amongst us there Is rapidly
dying out before the advance OF time Il
gallant army OF unpcnsioned heroes, who
boost not OF their deeds and whore
deeds. rad 70 relate. for want Of b.ogra-
phers. are being forgotten a short time