The Washington bee., 1902-05-31
HOWARD'S LAWYERS.
Twenty Lawyers Turned Out-A
Brilliant Scene at the Cong" ega-
tiOnaI Church Ex Senator
ThurStOn Speaks.

Z = =
Church on last Monday evening that
has ever gTaCed the inner walls OF that
sacred edifiCe. Ii was the twenty
eighth annual commencement of The
law department Of Howard University
Monday evening. when twenty young
ColOTed men, representing fourteen
States, the District of Columbia, and
two for, ign countries, received diplo-
mas. On the stage, beSld 5 the grad
yates and Hon. John NJ. Thrustop, the
orator OF the evening, were seated Il z
following officers and members Ofthe
faculty Rev. Jeremiah Eames Rankin,
ID d., president of the university; B.
F. Leigh IL. D., dean Of the law
department; Arthur A, Binney, IL.
B., William H. Richards, IL. NJ,
George Francis Williams, Ii. M,
Mason n. Richardson, A NJ, IL. B..
!. p Earnest, Ii. NJ, and James F.
Bundy. A, NJ. IL. NJ
The platform W - sur oInded with
pOued plants and flags oI the various
nations were in evidence among the
decorations. Music was rendered
by the Monumental Orchestra, the
numbers being interspeTsed through
out the evening s programme.
The invocation was offered by Rev
Walter Brooks. after which Mr.. Harry
A. Clark, of the graduating clas, spoke
on Equality" He declared that the
/ blacks and whites were entitled TO the
same treatment under like conditions.
The Growth Of Peace Laws" was
! the subject of an OratiCn by Mr..
/ Ou's @. Gregory, A. B. who said in
part:
MAN. said Lord PaImerston." is a
quarlling and fightins animal. Human
history IS a record of conflict and
strife. Clan has struggled against
clan, race against race, nation against
nation, to gain some territory, settle
some controversy, or avenge some
wrong. Whether 10 ht al the sting of
natiOnal insult, or 10 decree and en-
force Justice. or 10 satiate the love of
pillage and conquest, the results have
been alike baneful to N. nkInd. Civil
iZation and lis pOteIt influences have
been retarded for ages by unhOly con
Aict
The earliest resorts to international
Legislation carry us back 10 the Middle
Ages. Then the ambitious designs OF
the HOLY Roman Empire, back by the
T
ored TO convert the civilized world
into one vast federation. Other efforts
were the tTatiSeS of great political
writers among which was prominently
mentioned the matChleSS Oratiln OF
Charles Sumner, animated by true
statements, sound logic, a powerful
enthusiasm and lofty purpose.
The speaker believed II TO be the
natural province Of man to pursue all
peaceful and legitimate measures for
the elevation of the masses. To pro
mote science, art. commerce. religion,
philosophy, the handmaidens Of peace
is the aspiration of all noble minds. !
n then Il aCed the progress OF peace
laws in the settlement of questions
concerning boundaries, unlawful seiZ
ures, disputed possession Of territory,
the in expectation of treaties, and
claims for damages on he destruction
Of life ar property. he Behring
Sea fisheries question and the Ala
bama claims were matters which ex
hibited a triumph of America diplO-
macy.
Questions forever pertinent, before
= final appeal to the ar bitrament OF tn {
sword. are whether all peaceful meas
ures have been exhausted, and wheth
er the means are adequate TO the &C
compliShment of the end, and whether
the benefits TO be achieved are com
rensnrate with the StupendeuS SaCrl
fice in treasure, teas, and blood.
Warm tributes were paid TO the
Hague Conference, one OF the oTlghi
est flowers of human progress, and
the Second international Congress OF
American Republics, which has taken
step in advance of anv similar bodv
in the worlds history, in that 1t com
mits nine of the high contracting par
ties, all sovereign nations, 10 comPul
sorry arbitration.
The spirit of Christianity is tn most
powerful factor in the promotion OF
Deace. The tendency toward univeT
sal peace will find its tTuest earnest IN
the disarmament Of the nations. What
the eve OF the twentieth century may
hring forth is fraught with the great
est expect atIOns. The glorious utility
of DermaneEt court of arbitration,
/ where all the affairs OF dlSputlng ma
tions may be settled, has sweetened
the songs OF poets and the d. ieams oi
sratsemen for centuries.
simplicity is the height OF elo
ouenCe," said Hon. John NJ. Ihurston
as he began his address TO the class.
'In law. character counts muCh Tor
success The lawyer has only begun
his studies when he leaves the law
school. The lawyer must be familiar
with 9ll history to know the law lie
must be a profound student of human
nature. History, in the practice OF the
legal profession, is a qualifoa ion. and
in No profession is there more OF non
esty. The bank exacts securely aliKe
from rich and poor, bat all men, with
out any securely other than the hon Z
ofth profession, trust the lawyer with