The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-08-03
HON. JOHN GocDE's ADDRESS.
Delivered THIS Week Before the State Bar
Association.

Gentlemen of the Virginia state Bar
Association
Before proceeding to the discussion OF
my subject 1 desire TO avail myself OF
this the first opportunity have had TO
tender to you the expression Of my sim
cere and heartfelt thanks for the great
honor so unexpectedly conferred upon
me at your last annual meeting 1t Is
indeed high distinction to be chosen
as the president of an association like
this, representing, as it does, so much
OF the character, worth and intelligence
Of the Commonwealth.
In obedience TO the eleventh article
Of our constitution, it becomes my duty
to deliver an address upon some subject
to be selected by myself. The perform
ance of this duty is attended with no
little embarrassment The entire field
of jurisprudence has been so thoroughly
explored by my distinguished predeces'
sors in their able and learned addresses
delivered before you from year to year,
and by the annual orators who have in
structed and entertained you with their
scholarly and brilliant orations, that In
the performance Of the task assigned TO
me. 1 find only sheaf here and there
to be CLEANED.
Believing that frequent recurrence
to fundamental principles is essential.
1 have thought that it might not be in
appropriate to occupy the time allo ted
to me in an attempt to recall to your
recollection the aims and objects for the
promotion Of which this association has
been organized. The second article OF
our constitution declares that "this as
sociation is formed TO cultivate and ad-
vance the science Of jurisprudence to
promote reform in the law and in judi
cial procedure to facilitate the admin
istration Of justice in this State. and to
uphold and elevate the standard OF
honor, integrity and courtesy in the
legal profession. " What is the science
of Jurisprudence? Sir William Black
stone, the greatest Of English law
writers. has said that 1.-The law is q
science which distinguishes the critic
rions Of right and wrong which teaches
to establish the one and prevent, pun
ish OF redress the other which employs
in its theory the noblest faculties Of
the soul and exerts in its practice the
cardinal virtues Of the heart a science
which is universal in its use and ex-
tent. accommodated to each individual,
yet comprehending the whole commun-
ity." Edmund Burke, the greatest
perhaps of English statesmen, has said
that "the law is science which is the
pride Of the human intellect science
which, with all its defects, redundan-
cies and errors, is the collected reason
q ages, combining the principles OF
eternal Justice with the infinite variety
of human concerns. II would be I'M
p)ssible to oyerestimate the value and
Importance Of this science. What other
science has more intrinsic dignity
What other science involves more mo-
mentous issues? 1t has to deal with all
the intricate affairs and complex ma
chinery Of human society. 1t is inti-
mately connected with the moral and
material interests of every individual
citizAn How imp rtaut then it is that
every citizen should possess some knowl-
edge Of the law. 1t is not only proper
accomplishment Of every gentleman and