The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-09
Address of Pres Patt D. Walker of t. oe at the Open
ing Session of the Bar Association,
At Morehead City.


Association:
Gentlemem of the North Carolina Bar
Association:
| am not unmindful of the high honor
received at your hands when you called
me to the first presidency of this body,
and it is, therefore, mete and proper
that at this our first annual meeting,
should again give you my cordial thanks
for this manifestation of your confidence
and favor, though | assure you that
but feebly and inadequately express my
gratitude to YOU
This is not the first time that we have
engaged in an effort of this kind, but
whatever may have been done III the
past, or whatever we may have failed to
do, | am quite sure that we have come
to this meeting with the single and de-
termined purpose that nothing shall be
left undone hereafter in our effort to
establish this Association upon firm
and enduring foundation, and to make
it what it should be, an honor to the
profession and to the State.
We have good cause for congratulate
ton, that within the few months of ITS
existence the Association has attained Il
measure of success which gives us as
surance that it will not only be a per-
manent institution, but will receive the
earnest and cordial support of the mem
bers of the Bar. We can not hope,
though to increase its membership, and
to enlarge the sphere of its usefulness
unless we inspire the profession with the
confidence that we propose to make 1t
what it was designed to be, a society or
ganZed in truth and in fact to cultivate
the science of Jurisprudence, to promote
the reform of law, to facilitate the ad-
ministration of justice, to elevate the
standard of integrity, honor and courtesy
in the profession, and to cherish a spirit
of brotherhood. and closer fellowship,
and more intimate relationship among its
memDers.
We must believe that these principles
and purposes commend themselves to
every lawyer who loves his profession
and is proud of its prestige and past
history. of its noble traditions, and of
the great part it has performed i'll the
establishment and preservation OF good
government, in the protection OF the Just
rights and privileges of the citizen, and
in the advancement of his welfare and
happiness.
1t can rot well be denied that our pro-
fcssion has always been strong Ill the
defence of the cherished institutions of
our country, and in the vindication of
the constitutional rights and liberties OF
the citizen, and has ever been the de-
tGrmned foe of oppression and wrong.
History. | think, will demonstrate that
10 other one force has contributed SO
much as it to the formation and maln-
tenance of good government, the estab-
Ishment of wise and benefcent laws. and
the more perfect and stable administra-
ton of Justice Such profession can
not have too much of the veneratlon and
devotion of its members, and for its adj
yancement we can not study too pro-
foundly or cultivate too assiduously the
great principles of Jurisprudence. nor
can we erect too high, for the guidance
of its members, the standards of truth,
honor and integrity.
1t must not be forgotten though, that,
while we have a glorious past to which
we can turn with the utmost pride and
qualification. the pursuit and practice OF
this profession imposes upon us RESPONSE
BILE duties and obligations to ourselves
and to the public. In this respect it Is
somewhat peculiar. We have to do with
the administration of the law and the
dispensation of justice. which affect
every day the interests. of the people and
the personal welfare of each individual.
In what way these laws shall be en-
forced and this justice shall be meted
out is question of vital concern to
every member of society. The first dl-
ty of the citiZen, no less than of the
soldier to his captain, is obedience to
the law and to those III authority over
him, and the government which eXacts
this submission and obedience should see
that this law is always administered
with justice and equity.
If the laws are bad. or even if they
are good but badly administered, the
result must be that the respect and con
fidence of the people, for whom they
were made and whose authority and APP
proval they should always have, are eth
er lost or impaired, and what should be
il well regulated system of government
and law, founded upon the will and
consent of the governed becomes an in
tolerable system of oppression and tyran-
ny. Such condition should not exist
and should NOT be possible in Il free
country, and among a free people devot-
ed to liberty and justice, and where the
supreme law of the land should be the
sure hope, and our temples of justice
the safe refuge for any and all who may
seek the vindication of Il right, or the re-
dress of Il wrong.
But we must first know the law before
we can hope. to reform or improve the
law and its administration, and the
careful study and cultivation of the doe
trines and principles of Jurisprudence.
is cnioined by our constitution to quail
fy us for the discharge of this part of
our duty, and to enable us to correct i'm
pcrfections, and remedy evils in the adj
ministration of justice. We must by
research and discussion discover the
great principles which are best adapted
to the wants and necessities of our. peo-
pie in their ever changing condition and
environment. and apply them in the en-
actment of such laws. and i'm the modi-
tication of those that already exist, as
will make for their increased happiness