The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-04-12

TERMS: sia BIZ moHsss ysss' 50 Y esnts sdSanes
of factions, denominations, and super
iority of persons. 1t secures protection
to the industrious; it prevents the in
delent from seizing upon the acquisi-
tion of the thrifty, and it guarantees
and property rights to all; it
protects the innocent, and gives justice
to the guilty; it maintains the princi-
pie that all men are equal, and it pro-
vides security for society.
When we consider the fact that
many of our presidents, ambassadors,
governors, ETC., have risen from the
ranks of this profession, its object,
aims and tendencies then, we realize
its Importance. The law is mistress
who exacts obedience from all.
He who chooses this vocation simply
as means Of acquiring wealth is like
ly to become involved in questionable
transactions. This is obvious to all
and should be firmly impressed upon
the mind of the one contemplating
entering this profession. The profess
sion is decidedly an intellectual pur-
suit, and the lawyer who loves his
calling will not be content with a
superficial knowledge of the law, but
will trace its development from remote
times, its effects and defects, its appli-
cation to and its general bearing upon
society. By so doing his mind becomes
elevated, his ability to serve justice
greater, his views of life and morality
of the highest, and his aim will be to
serve justice with integrity of purpose.
This is as it should be, for the trust re-
posed in members of this profession
should be held as sacred one.
Were all lawyers impressed with the
sacredness of their calling and true to
their oaths, we would find the world
greatly Improved. we may pardon
those men with commercial instincts
whose only desire is to amass wealth:
but there are no extenuating circum-
stances when the highest legal talent
assists these men in avoiding the law.
When, of all men, a lawyer assists in
undermining that great bulwark of
society, that mainstay of our govern
ment, that majestic profession-the
law, then that lawyer or corporation of
legal men, is execrable. There can be
no justification for their acts. They
know that they are striving to misin-
terpret the laws, defeat the ends Of
justice, support, illegal transactions,
jeopardize the welfare of society, and
sap the vitality of our people-in q
word, imperil the destiny Of America.
The acts of few may belittle the
profession, and occasion disrespect
toward the greatest institution of our
land.
Some may contend that a lawyer
should try, by hook or crook, to save
his clients from breaches of the law;
but I believe this is mistaken con-
: ception of a lawyers duty. This leads
us to consider briefly, the duty of q
; lawyer toward his clients. Applying
the basis of law, common sense, it
seems to me that the lawyer should
consider the law as well as the inter-
ests of his client; that is, do not think
he should attempt to circumvent JUS
. tice, nor permit his client to receive
injustice. He should be familiar with
, every point in the case and with the
, law bearing upon those points; he
' should not rely upon the presiding
= judge to see that justice is accorded
: but should be prepared to cite the Law
q and interpret it, thus enabling the judge
a and jury to deal out justice, and this
d from sense of duty. Nor should q
|. lawyer attempt to defeat the ends OF
b justice by misconstruing the law, OF
Q neglecting to properly prepare his case
q By indulging in such practices he soor
q loses the confidence of the judges and
;. Of the people. There are other duties
d too numerous to dwell upon here.
ii The substance of a quotation from
4 Cicero is: ''In the profession of Law
q everything is written down, the lawyer
) has only to follow others" To Ger
i tain degree this is true, but there an
/. times when initiative is required AMI
n then the true lawyer achieves promi
/ nence and honor. Books alone do no
d make lawyer, teacher, preacher, etc
= He must have an individuality Of hi