Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-08
LIGHTS OF THE LAW.
THIRD DAY OF THE VIRGINIA BAR
ASSOCIATION.
THE ADDRESS OF SENATOR ROAR.
The Ancient TriendshiD Between
Massachusetts, and the Old Domin-
fon-The Mission of Lnwyers--The
Annual banquet.

ciaI 1.-THE Hotel Chamberlin IS literally
sw&rming with lawyers to-day. and the
great brotherhood OF attorneys - every
Commonwealth are represented in the
gathering, and all sizes and conditions Of
lawyers may be seen.
The dlgnied judiciary. revered and re-
spected by the profession. are mingiing
fraternally with youngsters fresh from
their college examinations. and for the
time being there are no distinctions in
ability or experience. One looking on such
scenes as these can well understand how
, the Virginia Bar, with a united front, is
the most powerful organization in the
State.
Bad weather has attended the associa-
ton from start to finish, but its effects
have not been felt. nor do the continual
rains appear 10 have dampened the en-
thVsiasm OF the legal throng.
The features of to-days programme
were the magnificent address delivered by
Senator George Il. Hoar, OF Massachu-
setts. in the morning and the splendid
BANQUET which followed. An immense
crowd of well-dressed men and women
hehrd the distinguished representative
from the Bay State at the morning ses-
sion. and he was accorded reception
which might we'll fatter even a man OF
his prominence.
Tie speaker was introduced by Presi-
dent Petit. who made happy little ad-
dress In presenting the orator to his APP
preciative hearers.
Senator Hoar is q dignifed, intellectual
looking man, whose appearance suggests
Professor Bennett Puryear, and while ne
does not essay to be a speaker OF thun-
derous power his delivery in good, ana
his voice sonorous.
THE ADDRESS.
In h's opening remarks, he stated mat
ne was not vain enough 10 take the lhVl-
tation 10 address the Virginia Bar Assoc
citation as a mere personal compliment.
He rather construed IL as token Oh tne
Willingness OF Virginia 10 renew the Ola
relations OF esteem and honor Nnlch
bound our people 10 those of Massachu-
settg. when the two were the leaders IN
the struggle for Independence; when John
Adams and Sam Adams sat In council
with Jefferson and Henry and Lee; when
the voice of Massachusetts summoned
Washington to the head OF the armies
and Marshall TO the judges seat; when
Morgan's Tihemen marched from WIN
chester to Cambridge in twenty-one days
STATE q al when these two great states
were SELDOM divided in opinion-neVer IN
ahIctlon
In beautiful language the distinguished
Massachusetts Senator told or the hlsto-
rical bonds which linked his State WIN
the Old Dominion. But l am frank 10
confess" said he, "that, whatever natu-
raj partiaiity may lead her sons TO ciaim
for Massachusetts, the world VIII De very
slow TO admit that among the men VINO
have been founders of States In Christian
liberty and law, there will be found any
where the equals TO the four names OF
1efYerson. Marshall, Madison, and Henry
10 say nothing OF the supreme name OF
washington,'
The orator. concluding his graceful ex-
ordium. which displayed the most exqui-
site taste. alluded TO the characteristic
traits OF Enthusiastically ana cour-
ago. And this hospitality and courage
said he, was something more than pro-
vision for physical wants OF reauiness
for physical encounter.
IRE true rhospitality 10 a man is a hos
pitaiity TO ais thought, and the highest
Courage Is a readiness for an encounter
Of thoughts.
AS AN ORDER.
Senator Hoar, continuing. said: 81 wish
10 devote the time which your Kindness
accords me to q few thoughts, common
place enough. / am afraid, but perhaps
all the better for that reason, upon the
topic. not new, yet ever old-Ihe heia-
ton of the American Bar as an Oruer UT
brotherhood TO the State
The speaker then sketched in the
choicest of language the important works
which for centuries had been accomplish
ed by lawyers.
The professlon OF the law in its broad
ma enlarged meaning Of the term is no
trade or calling, he said. IL * depart
Soent Of government Whenever govern
Gents have been free, and precisely IN
10 far as they have been free-in Greece
h Rome. and on the Continent-thls mas
ever been the function of our profession
n was never more Its junction imam III
our own country and In our own tihae'
The great debate OF liberty when pre-
.aaAa the Revolution was conducted in
largo measure by lawyers. OF the
aftv-two signers of the Declaration,
,ueotv-four were Of the legal profession.
Tho constitutions Of the old thirteen
states the Constitution OF the United
states. were largely, almost wholly, the
work OF American lawyers. or the nity-
Ave members of the Philadelphia con-
vention thirty had been practicing law
vers. The arguments of great lawyers
- tyamilton OF Jay, of Madison-com-
nended the Constitution TO the approval
NJ the people OF the twenty-four Prcsi-
dents OF the United States twenty. ana
AZ the twenty-four Vice Presidents, e9gh-
teen have been members OF our PROBES
sion. To-day. the President, the Vice
president. the Speaker Of the House, hve
~ the eight members of the Cabinet, and
400 out OF the 446 members Of the two
houses OF Congress were bred 70 the
bar.
OF our thlrty-three Secretaries of state,
ALL but one Edward Eyerett-haVe been
lawyers. unless we except Mr.. Biaihe'
who studied for q short time In law
Office. OF our forty Secretaries OF the
Treasury, all but three have been law
ers. OF course. all OF the Attorneys
General and all OF the judiciary nave
been lawyers. Occasionally some ponu-
cal party tries 10 change TINS praci'ce'
but In vain.
.Our profession" continued the speak
er, lis not the road to wealth Inere
l.eyo henn distances. In these modern
6avs OF great speculation and OF rapid
..,,..A ol members OF the bar. half law
yer half specalator. who haye acquired
vast fortunes. But In the main Il Is still
frnc-God grant Il may be ever true
ft< ~ >-r~ricaa lawyer Is not Of the
class Of men who serve their country
$. .si.- .4s - ls1e Agassiz. lie has no