The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-06-27

do flourish; in the middle age Of State,
learning, and then both together for a
time; in the declining age of State me-
chanical arts and merchandise" Against
this aphorism of Bacon, my faith un-
shaken by the tragic fate of empires, dy-
nasties and republics, l place the mani
fest destiny of our great republic. Yet,
do declare to you in the light of all
history that in the multiplication of sell
fish desires and enjoyments and indolent
and luxurious habits consequent upon
such a life, neither intellectually nor
morality. both of which are essential to
high excellence in the profession OF law,
do flourish. In the frenzy and insane
desire for wealth which marked the clos
ing year of the last century and which is
still at the flood tide, the spirit necessary
to achieve intellectual and moral great
ness finds no congeniality and no resting
place. In such a period the profession of
law can never attain its highest degree
of excellence. In such an era will be
found the profligate husband and faith
less wife, the depraved, yet fashionable
libertine, the fraudulent spendthrift and
cruel creditor. degraded manhood and
labor deadened by cruel bondage and the
comes tainted and upright judges, firm
in their resolves and fearless in their
conduct, declaring the law with impair
tiality for all, will ofttimes be the tar
gets of paid mercenaries.
When the inevitable hour of distress
and trouble shall have come; when the
ideas and intentions of the founders Of
this Government shall be disregarded by
those who, in the wild greed for money.
and amidst the dissolute luxury engen-
dered by unparalleled opulence, have for
gotten the teachings of purer and better
days and the very existence Of our Gov
ernment shall be in jeopardy, the mem
bers of the legal profession will be found
in the forefront of the fight as they have
ever been, when Constitutional liberty
has been in danger. And from the con-
flict regeneratcd by fire ard blood. our
common country will rise a, a giant re-
freshed by the :oY of the strife an1 in the
glory Of its strength.
CHIEF DUTY.
What constitutes the greatness of this
republic? Not alone lis unparalleled
wealth. Not its mines of gold and sill
float upon every sea and whose white
Esails are famed by the breezes of every
ocean. Not the palaces of the rich and
powerful, which adorn and beautify our
great cities. Not its boundless Western
plains where is garnered food for the
worlds consumption. Not its Southern
fields, white with cotton, which finds its
way to China, to Japan to Africa to clothe
their people. Not its mighty rivers. not
its great lakes. Not it's favored climate,
which delights he traveller from other
lands and invites him to health and re-
pose. Not it's mountains in their sci
emnity and grandeur. Great and wonder
full as are its natural and material re-
sources, its vniefest glory will not be
discovered in them. 1t will be found in
the Constitution of our common country,
and its legal institutions, which main
tain and enforce justice for all with no
discrimination, and give an equal chance
to each in the battle of life. This is the
supreme essence of its greatness, the
most radiant jewel in its crown Of glory.
It's Constitution and laws were framed
and built up by lawyers To preserve
that Constitution inviolate, to maintain
our legal institutions, to improve and ad-
just them to the new wants and require
ments of advancing civilization and an
ever increasing population is their high
est and greatest duty. Let not the De-
hest of any party, nor the prejudice of
any creed interfere with its faithful and
courageous performance which is prompt
ed by every impulse of patriotism and
which will protect our country against all
dangers from political strife, however
threatening the clouds or fierce the
storm. In the discharge of this duty it
is of paramount Importance to sustain
our judiciary in every honest effort to
maintain the laws of the land. In an
honest, upright and able judiciary will
be found the surest safest and strongest
bulwark of freedom. Against it the pas
sions of anarchy will break in vain.
Before it's majesty the insolence of
power will be unavailing to harm the
humblest citizen. Your opportunities
are limitless. The past is resplendent
with the great achievements of Marshall,
OF Story, of Kent, of Ruffin, of Castor
and otherwise illustrious names by which
1t has been adorned. The future pre-
sents to you an arena as broad and a
theatre as grand as that upon which they
won their renown. To the EIysian fields
OF the profession their mighty spirits
Deckon you. He who would reach them
must tread the path of industry, of NOR
ality, of honor, of integrity and of vir-
tue; governed by an humble and devout
submission to Him whose will is the su-
preme and everlasting law
And for farewell to Won. nv brethren
of the bar. | wish unto you one and all,
THE gladstone light of Jurisprudence,
the loveliness of temperance. the stability
of fortitude and the solidity of Justice