The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-09

and forcclul language or recent Wrltel
on this subject:
~ well organized Bar Association
should be founded, and conducted i'll tn,
belief that lawyers, in the discharge o.
their Official duties as attorneys ant
counsellors, stand next to the judiciary
that both judges and lawyers must bt
able. learned. pure, or neither will be
for they act in unison in sustaining tn,
great principles of Jurisprudence ant
justice a Judge is a lawyer elevated t.
the bench largely 10y the influence o.
his brethren at the Bar. He possesse,
legal accomplishments. general learnin.
and undoubted probity of character
which enables him to pronounce the law
from the bench. and if he should ceas,
to be a lawyer he can no longer be q
Judge. Next to the solicitude which the
people feel and the provisions they make
for maintaining the Independence of a
sound. dignified and accomplished judi
ciary. should be. and to a large extent is,
their anxiety to keep the bar up. to a
corresponding elevation. Therefore the
people are vitality interested in well
organized and carefully managed asso-
citation. extending its influence and its
work to every branch, to whatever puri-
iies. exaIts and sustains Il learned. con-
scientious. active oversight of the Courts
of Justice and of legislation. and of the
harmony and strength of our judicial
system"
Let no man think that this body is
formed for the self-promotloh or aggran-
dizement of its members or any of them,
of from any selfish or sordid motive of
individual gain or profit other than that
which WI naturally come from the
growth and development of the profess
sion III accordance with the high AMI
noble niinciI les and purpose for the pr
motions tor which it has beer founded.
This movement is inspired by the
noblcst sentiment, and the plrest mo-
tive. and we seek through it to accom-
plish what is best for the profession,
because and only because it is best for
the State and its citizens.
Good laws administered by an upright
and abe juu.ciary and constantly sus-
tanned and strengthened by a Bar daily
increasing in learning and wisdom and
a better knowledge of the science of
the law. and refined and ennobled by
obedience to the highest precepts of hon
or and integrity, are some Of the ends
which we shall strive to attain, and
what greater blessings can be conferred
upon a people than these.
We cannot hope that our efforts will
he crowned with success unless we re-
solve that individual and personal anbi-
ton shall not enter into our counsels.
and that each member will devote him
self conscientiously, ullreservedly and I'M
selfishly to the great work we have set
before us. He must. feel a personal re-
sponsibility for the faithful performance
of the pledge and promise we have
made. and. render willing and active SER
vice in advancing the interests of the
profession through this Association.
The roll of members on which we find
the names of those who have h0n0red tn.
profession, and rendered distinguished
service to their State, and of those also
who have occupied and Graced the most
exalted places Of trust and responsibility
in its government, gives assurance that
this body represents the best thought
and opinion of the Bar, and will have its
unfailing support and influence without
which all Of our labors will surely be in
vain. -
But, while this is true, there are many
who deservedly stand in the front ranks
of the profession, and who will sympa-
thize, / have no, doubt, with our aims
and purposes who have not cast in their
lot among u.s. 1t goes without saying
that we should have as members of this
Association every worthy and honorable
lawyer in the State, for we need the in
fluence of his name and presence as we'll
as his active cooperation and counsel in
the great work we have undertaken.
We have united III an earnest effort to
eXait and signify the ancient and honor
able profession to which we belong, to
preserve its best traditions and its lofty
ideals, and to make it a living and vital
force III procuring wholesome and pure
administration of justice. We can, there
fore, with perfect propriety, appeal to
every lawyer whs entertains a pride in
his profession, and in its past achieve
ments and history, and Il hope for its
greater destiny to join us in our endeavof
TO lift it hp upon still a higher plane, and
to make IT as tower of strength iii our
legislative halls. our councils, and orr
forums. that the gladstone light Of juris-
prudence may shine in every part of this
Commonwealth, and that her people may
feel that the supreme law OF this land,
to which they owe their respect and
obedience, is law of truth, justice and
right.
The constitution of this Association re-
qlires that its presiding officer in his ad
dress at the annual meeting shall make
such suggestions as to the work of the
Association as he may deem proper.
i have thus far stated generally the
purposes of this organization, the neces-
sity of concerted effort in executing these
purposes, and the individual and special
duty and obligation of each member OF
the Bar to render willing and active ser
vice in its cause.
1t may, perhaps, be well to make a few
practical suggestions in regard to the
methods by which our work in part earn
best be performed.
1t seems to me that a State organiza-
ton or society is not all that is needed
to obtain the best results. The State
Association shonld be the head of the
system and have supreme authority. hut
there should be subordinate organizations
of which the county association should
be the unit. This will bring this Asso-
citation into closer touch and relationship
with the individual members of the Bar.
and more strongly enlist their sympa-
thies and support. We should have, as