Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-08
were agreed that the bond gave the Jew


and the Wise Daniel recognizes IL.
And now. after tho judges decision has
been given. after all doubt al 10 the legal
right Of the Jew has been removed by
the Judge himself: after the whole as
sembly the Doge included. have ac-
comodated themselves TO the inevitable
decree Of the law: now that the victor.
entirely sure OF his case, intends to do
what the Judgment OF the court au-
thorized him TO do. the same judge who
had solemnly recognized his rights
renders those rights nugatory by an OBJ
lection, a strategem so contemplate that
II is worthy OF no serious attention. IL
there any flesh without blood? The Judge
who accorded Shylock the right TO cut
a pound Of flesh out OF Antonios body
accorded him at the same time the right
TO Antonios blood. without which flesh
cannot be. Both are refused to the Jew
He must take the flesh without TIE
blood, and cut out only an exact pound or
fiesh-no more and no less. Do ] say too
much when | assert that here the Jew
Is cheated out OF his legal right? True,
II IL done in the name Of humanity: but
does chicanery cease to be chicanery be-
cause practised in the name OF human
ity?"
My brothers OF the bar. IL not the criti-
cal reasoning OF the learned German
jurist the result of profound study OF
the case, anything but report of the
debate at Orange Courthouse. or-hand,
in the social gathering Of country law
yers between Gordon, Green. and Holly
day?
WHERE WAS HE LEFT?
But where does the criticism leave my
admirable friend. General Gordon. in his
claim OF eminent judicial ability for the
great dramatst? He shall have his claim
INDICATED.
The case of Langford against Barnard
was decided In the year 1895. The Mer-
chant Of Venice was written in 1897. This
case brought into collision the penalty
which the law allowed the obligee in a
penal bond and the foreclosure by the
mortgage on land. or the pound Of
flesh" IL might be. with the demand
which equity made that the penalty
should be forbidden when the thing was
offered 10 be done which the penalty
was designed 10 secure. VIII. Shake
speare. no more a technical lawyer chan
my noble old friend. in the offer which
equity, in the person Of PortIa, made
to Shylock to take his debt and release
the penalty took sides with the chancery
against the law. He meant TO depict
the cruel Injustice OF the law and the
perfect justice which chanceTy afforded
by the equity of redemption, and fur
nished an argument which has In the
judicature OF the English-speaking peo-
pie established for three centuries a rem
edy the Doge OF Venice never knew,
but which the fair Portia. voicing the
broad views OF the great dramatic poet.
suggested az the true solution OF In re
Shylock." In the court of law the iudg-
ment was wrong on the grounds on which
fnu1 IA rAcf Mr. F,,
sisted-but I'm that court was right on
the point made by Mr.. Hollyday. and
which POrtla did not rely upon-and
Shakespeare's Portia showed how iuris-
prudence ought 10 be In staying the
hand Of the cruel eXactor OF a mortal
penalty. and compelling him to take his
debt and be satisfied
MY TASK Is DONE"
Did not Shakespeare the born COM
panion Of the great lawyers OF the king
dom, write his great drama to show what
Jurisprudence should be IN such a case?
Ny task is done, my theme
Has died into an echo: II Is III
The spell should break OF this pro;racted
dream.
Ancient Of days, august Virginia.
Where. are the men Of might, thy grand
In soul?
First in the race that led to glory's goal;
| They won, and passed away-is this the
whole?
a school-boy's tale. the wonder OF an
hour?
Let the faint picture Of an old mans
dream of the pas, make us determine II
| shall not be the whole Let the young bar
cherish these memories Of the former
glory. and make the new temper Of our
| Jurisprudence more splendid than the old.
| For myself my race is nearly run; but
when my head shall rest upon the bosom
| Of this great Commonwealth. near the
! spot where | drew my first breath. my
! last aspiration shall be. and | invoke you
to join 1t It, amid the evils which en-
vIron u.s. the dangers that menace ne,
that Virginia shall be guided and protect
| ed by Gods Providence into paths or
| peace. prosperity. and glory.
| God save the Commonwealth!