The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-29
IS THE BAR DsTERiORATiNG

Judge Patterson, Of the Supreme court
e New York, has stirred up hornets
zest by saying in IN afternoon speech
that the New York bar has deteriorated,
that it has taken on trade aspect and
has lost in professional dignity, in char
acter, in real ability and learning. What
Judge Patterson has said in public is
arecisely what everybody else of per-
spectiye views is saying in private of
she New York bar and the bars of
other large cities.
1t was inevitable that the legal pro-
tessiOn should yield to the business in
Auences of the day, because lawyers,
more than any other professional men,
are brought into close contact with tlese
Influences. Some changes there have
been in the medical profession, and
some in the Church, but the lawyer,
leads a life OF business, and there is
nothing surprising in tie fact that legal
eontests display more and more Of force
and of business methods and less Of
legal lore and what was SO long con-
sidered the best traditions of the bar.
From this changed position it is but a
step to the use Of business methods in
the requirement 81 legal business until
there are few places among the great
Business centres where the bar has not
undergone changes precisely Of the char
aeter indicated by Judge Patterson The
enormous increase in the number of bus
mess men has, of course, not been made
without uIsiwing into business many
who would be Impressed more by signs
Of activity, force and snap in a lawyer
than by higher legal qualifications which
so many good paying clients would be
unable to appreciate. This, too, has had
m enormous influence in making sue
eessful lawyers Of men who are really
not great lawyers.
Unless there be some reaction the best
lawyers hereafter wiz be found in small
cities and towns remote from business
influences. Surely no case is so sacred,
no client so dear" says Chief Justice
Coleridge, on retiring from the bench,
shat even an advocate should be called
upon to barter his own self respect. Ii
that be our duty, our great and glorious
profession is 10 calling for gentleman"
no profession affords better opportuni-
ties for the study OF human nature than
does the law; indeed, an acute insight
of motives is a prerequisite Of success,
but unfortunately il is the dark side of
character, the selfish instincts that are
very frequently displayed in litigation
at the present day. Whoever has been
present at tribunal where the charac-
ter of the judge, the integrity OF the
jury and the learning and eloquenee of
the advocates have equalled the moral
sxigencies and the ideal dignity OF the
scene, and when The case has possessed
. high tragic or social interest, can
never lose the impression thus derived
OF the majesty Cf The law. Here we
would behold the principle OF justice as
Il existed in tue very elements of hui
manity and as standing on the primeval
foundation of human society.T search
ing struggle for truth, the conscientious
application of law TO evidence, the stern
recital OF the prosecutor, the appeal OF
the defense, the constant test of inquiry,
Of reference. to statutes and presidents,
the luminous arrangement of conflicting
facts by the judge, his important de-
auctions and Clear, final statements, the
interim OF suspense and the solemn
verdict, combine to present a calm, re-
Elective, almost sublime exercise of the
intellect and moral sentiment in order to
conform authority TO the highest die
tates, which elevate and widen the
function and glory of human life and
duty.
Only those who espouse the majesty
Of the law can hope to link their name,
fame and character with the great law
Yers of the future.