Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-27

| and exact science. 1t Is mere courtesy
TO call law, medicine, and the ministry
learned professions. The requirements OF
their practice do not include eruditon.
And while Mr.. Choate Is right in speaking
or the law as a SCIENCE IL would bo a mis-
| take to infer that all members of the bar
are men Of science tr ming. They are
too often cease lawyers" with perhaps a
large and accurate memory Of how typical
cases have been decided, but with little
knowledge Of the principles Of law and
the method of their development or for
mutation.
Law as a science is a nobler and more
prontable study for educational aims than
any other science. The principles Of JUS
tice have a higher moral value than those
OF any other science. They are full OF
light and righteousness and safety TO So
elety. They are elements of order in a
rash and disorderly world. Law IS a
study that should not be limited to those
for whom it is is a profession. Freed still
further from its antiquated and vicious
technicalities, simplified in structure and
language, 1t Is the most useful OF studies
for all intelligent minds, whether as a
source of knowledge or a means OF intel
lectual discipline. Familiarity with the
enduring principles OF justice must give
stability and balance to character the
need of which was never more apparent
than in this restless and daring time. AS
preparation for any career in life,
study OF the law is better even than jour
nalism, (which leads TO anything-if you
quit It," as an observing Frenchman has
said.
Those who claim to be the particular
voice Of science have stated what they
think is the culture demanded by modern
life. They have not included the law.
They have merely followed Mrs. MaIa-
prop, who wanted her boy TO be taught
something illogical" They seem to have
looked on the law as only body Of sta
tutes rejecting the caprices of an unstable
society. Yet justice, the highest concep-
ton OF human intelligence, the last and
best product Of civilization, has almost an
existence apart from mind. 1t is an at
tribute Of Deity and ii is Independent of
all conditions of society. In this day of
specialization almost any branch of any
other distinct science demands for its
mastery the complete absorption Of the
student. The field is small, and he must
concern himself with the almost infinite
facts and not with their large relations.
1t IS narrowing TO the mind But the
study Of law as a science Is broadening.
1t banishes prejudice and sets up a high
ideal, justice, without which all education
is defective If not mischievous. It comes
nearer than any other secular study 10
supplying that quality which religious
teachers cannot find in ordinary non-re-
ligious education. That we do not see
more of this benefcent influence is be-
cause so many never concern themselves
about the science Of law and the elements
of justice. They enter into the service
OF law as they would into any other SER
vice, for mere pay. To them IL Is a COM
mercial pursuit-a trade Their proto-
type is Strepslades who appealed to So
crates to instruct him in the art Of gain
ing the unjust as well as the Just cause,
but not in the principles OF justice.