The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-06-30
DE BOLT ON PEACE.

DE BOLT ON PEACE
J. T. De Bolt TO talk to '-The Proven
ton OF Litigation" and from the very
first the speaker. stepping upon ground
which made possible Interruptions BY
his bearers. was the target for many
remarks and Questions. He said In
parf that litigation was I'm evil incident
70 civilization. While absolutely impos-
slbie 20 prevent litigation. the lawyers
should check u as far as possible.
lawyers should have the high ideal
fhas they follow ed a profession and no.
n business II had been said that the
country was ruled sy the lawyefs. II
that were so bet them realize their re-
sponslbiiities. 40 that the civilization OF
the world may be advanced.
There were cases In COURT that ought
not 90 be there. he said. and a dozen
laughing Interruptions were INTERCEPTED
Mr. De Bolt said attorneys were re-
sponsibie for much Of the improper and
unnecessary litigation. A simplificatioa
Of proceedings was advocated as means
of reducing litigation The grand jury
and the petit jury as y dualisn was
sufgrown- He would not do away with
the function OF a grand jury. but the
mind troars OF iaughter). might ade-
auateiy perform H.
Fie proceeded 20 argue that the trial
jury itself Was an overTatsd institution.
confending that justice was safer with
an upright judge than twelve men pick
ed up ON thev street and taken from
their business.
DEVELOPMENT OF LAW.
chief Justice Frcar had the address
of the evening on The Higher F'unc-
ton of the Law" He said ne had felt
impeIied to discuss the subject ut great
length and should do so. despite inter
ruptions. be saying "a vas n chance for
the bench 20 get back at the bar. for
dresry prose. He said:
There are. OF course. all sorts OF law
yerr as there are all sorts OF other peo-
PIE. There IL nrst the mere shyster
or pettifogEer. wholly self-interested.
whose motto Is. Get on. honor. honest.
but by all means get on. and whose
every endeayor II accordingly TO get
on though Il b. by means dlshonor-
able and dishonest Then there Is the
industrious. conscientious lawyer. who
minds his own business. serves his ell
cnt faithfully. keeps well within the
bounds OF both law and ethics. as he
-c~a them. and In so doing does well:
but who. for the very reason that he
stops there. dcgrades his profession In
20 n mere means OF livelihood. Lastly.
there Is the lawyer OF larger view. who
pcrforce mast devote the greater part
Of his time and energy To the routine OF
everyday life. yet who realizes that he
- not only a lawyer but n citizen and
n man. owing special duties. by virtue
OF his profession. TO his country and TO
society. In the words OF Rufus Choate.
% f.fl. II nj haNn ny
lawyers. We are statesmen"
We may readily concede that the
higher function OF the lawyer lies In
his relation as n specially equipped cit
izen and man TO the promotion and i'm
provemert OF the law and the admin
lsfration OF Justice. That the strength
OF the nation and the welfare OF society
depend In n degree that can scarcely
De exaggerated upon good laws well adj
ministered. In apparent. That we have
a rich heritage OF such laws and ad-
ministration-the product Of centuries
OF labor. conflict and sacrifice on the
part OF our predecessors OF the bar.
English and American. We know That
to us Is given the splendid opportunity
and upon Us rests the grave response
biiity OF seeing that the law and its ad-
min.stration keep pace with the ever
changing needs OF society. We know.
But are we doing our whole duty In
this respect? Have we that lively sense
OF conviction. as to these opportunities
and responsibilities. that leads to ac-
,iOn? Are we fired as lawyers with the
patriotism that makes us alert to see
that American justice. individual and
national Is as sure and far-reaching
as american freedom? Have We that
insight into the trend OF things. that
spirit Of free inquiry and search for
truth. that spirit OF altruism, so char
acteristic OF our age. that irnpels US 10
perform. with pride and enthusiasm,
the part. be IL great or small. that
seems TO be ours In the great drama or
evolution. and that giorifies even the
huTnbiest act OF duty?
Judge Dillon has expressed my
thought better than 1 can express IL.
thus:
The special duty OF the American
lawyer -. OF course. TO improve and
promote the laws and Jurisprudence OF
his own country. What great and com
pick problems confront the American
lawyer. growing out OF our territorial
extea. and our distinct Federal and
State system OF government and turis-
prudence: out OF the changes wrought
by iron. steam. and electricity In busi-
ness and all the modes OF communion
ton and transportation. out OF the
OF capital almost without
limit In corporate form. Affecting in
teres;s vital TO individuals and TO soci-
rty. The law has TO be adapted TO these
new situations and circumstances. I.
What a weighty work, Truly IL de-
mauds she most attentive study. the
most penetrating observation. the most /
Eedatc consideration. the ripest judy !
,neHt Here Will b. found work for all. /
W.. have laid the foundations ,
~ a noble Jurisprudence. and during 1
the txo centuries OF our colonial and
national life. the structure has been j
carried along - as TO meet contempt 4
-ary wants and needs. The work must. /
however. go forward with the progress
- The States and the natio-- What
more generous ambition can inspire. 4
hat higher duty can engage. the
\ american lawyer. than 10 assist. In his
FAY. In advancing this structure and
adapting "a. by alteration and enlarge
nent. TO the changed and changing
conditions OF society: a. work which
must ever go on. yet never be compiet-
"A.
Some unfinished window
In AiaddIn's tower