The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-05

profession tends to develop virtues as
well as vices; and the vices may be re-
sisted. And where a man does resist
them where he maintains his hope and
his faith and his integrity of soul, where
he is able to live thus wholly in the
world, without surrender to the world,
his example and influence are wonder
fully far reaching and beneficent.
I have thus limited at some of the
general opportunities which lawyers
have as lawyers for doing good. I shall
not close without referring to a few
special opportunities.
When a lawyer is admitted to the
bar he takes an oath to support the
constitution of the United States and of
the State of Kansas. One moral op-
portunity that he has IS, faithfully to
discharge this oath. No particular por-
lions of these constitutions are except
ed. The constitution of the United
States guarantees to every citi-
zen the right of life, liberty and pursuit
of happiness. Certain sections were
especially intended for the uplifting and
protection of a weaker race, long held
in bondage and subsection by the
stronger race. Lawyers have special
opportunities to aid III UNFOLDING and
enforcing, in letter and in spirit, those
portions of our Federal Constitution, in
making them a part of dominant public
opinion, and in aiding the nation, so far
as may be, to atone for a century of
crime against the rights of man and the
laws of God.
"A portion of our state constitution
forbids the manufacture and sale of in
toxicating liquors as a beverage. be-
lieve that this portion of the Constitu-
ton is both right and expedient. The
word saloon stands for a hundred
times more of suffering, loss and crime;
more of moral, political and economic
evil, than any other word in the English
language. The people of Kansas have
so said. Whether you think the law
! expedient or inexpedient, it is the law.
/ f75,,, ion nd
| progress depends upon government by
| law, upon government of ideas register
| ed into laws. Nothing is more important
| in a republic than respect for law as
! law. All lawyers have a special oppor-
| tunity in obeying this portion of their
official oaths And what shall be said
| of the lawyer who holds up his hand in
court and says I do solemnly swear to
support the constitution of the State of
Kansas, so help me God and then de-
| Hberately goes out and pays money to a
citizen of Kansas to induce him to vio-
| late that constitution
| 1.-The lawyer not only is obligated to
| support the constitution but to support
| all the laws. We have laws enacted for
| the purpose of securing pure elections
| Are there any two opinions as to the
value and necessity and expediency and
| righteousness of a pure ballot? Yet a
certain county attorney, deliberately
filed under the provisions of our election
| law, a sworn statement over his own
signature, showing that he had, to Sc
cure his election spent 800 for whisky
and cigars, and then, to show his thor
ough Contempt, not only for the law but
for decency. he appended to his state
ment the remark: Behold, the secret OF
my political success What shall we
say to such a man? Or what shall be
said of any member of the bar who up
holds or condones the recent shameless
and riotous election held in this city
These suggest some of the special moral
opportunities which are open to men,
bers of the bar. Nor have any hesita-
ton in mentioning them in one branch
of that church which gave to this coun-
try such earthquake scholars and con-
secrated patriots as Claiming, Parker
Phillips. Mann, Bellows, King and Low
| ell