The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-02

Inc aItef-O1nner speech always gains
something from the atmosphere Of the
banquet hall and the genial charity Of
the banqueters. Words which repro
duced afterward often fail to interest,
arouse on that occasion great enthusi-
asm. So it is dangerous to attempt to
warm over an after-dinner speech and
find as much enjoyment in it as when
it was first uttered. However, the ban
queters at the American Bar association
dinner in this city Friday night dis
covered one after-dinner speaker whose
effort it is believed will survive the
chill of cold type and it is herewith re-
produced because we believe it will be
read with keen enjoyment by every
lawyer among he urnal's con-
stituency. F.. Charles Hume of Hous-
the toast "The Young Lawyer,' and
this is what he said:
Mr.. POSTMASTER, Ladies', Fellow Practitioners,
1 feel that I need introduction to the
lawyers OF America. In this distinguished COM
pany, feel assured that do not speak in a
strangers y)ce-Sut in my own. For many
years my has been household word
among the members of my own family. Whether
the premonitory rumbles of coming grea tness
have prevented me here, l know not. In my
own state l am not known solely as q lawyer
My fame is also titular; called ':judge'
by the obsequious office boy and by the
janitor-"where thrift may follow fawning.''
ton than authorship of a work on an important
legal subject. And in justice to myself. and
to my state l must say that l owe my
juristic rank and such name and fame as
bear. to my--"domestic rela tions'' ~
After-Dinner Speaking.
1t would be superfluous for me to say that
manifest of no
cause it is--not. After dinner speaking is an
effort to appear at ease and happy, tho fear
full and tumultuous. 1t is. indeed an unusual
accomplishment. 1t is the patti de fol gras of
ora tory-a conditional, rather than normal
mode of expression. The archetype Of the art
is the 1mpromptu speech. 1t is oft an unplumed
squad for flight, and heavy with 1.-THE stuff
that dreams are made on''-.the art that's long
when time is feeling. 1t attains its perfec-
ton ex post facto. retroactively; that is,
after the banquet halls deserted and the
speaker is homeward bound alone. How preg
nant then and cheerful, are the words of
philosophy: Sweet the uses of-retro-
sDect2n
Upon this occasion, I urge no claim to
powers of off-hand cloquence.' cannot say
and it would be vain and unjust for mo to
assert that this is an extemporaneous effort
The weight Of the inter- al evidence would
crush the contentious; and the faithful years
of laborous preparation would shrink aghast
at such wild asseveraticn and put to shame
my base ingratitute. On tie contrary, behold
in the sochomorc apostle of the midnight
ola sedentary sacrifice to young life's
masterpiece!
His Mission.
From the lawyers of Texas 1 come-unar,ned
bringing to you the message Of civilization.
Without hope Of reward, and without fear Of
recognition, I have come to lend the charm
of high professional character, and impart tone
to this meeting. 1t is not to me, however
that your thanks are due for my presence
here. 1t was my brethren Of the bar that
sent me this mission, conscious of it's perils.
J., VIII not shield them. 1t was they that
did command and hasten my departure hither
with the classic Spartan djuration-Go; come
back with your nerve, or on it!
Gentlemen, am modest man. as all men
are that say they are. And my chief char
ncteristic, aside from physical pulchritude, is
candor; that is, am blunt man, even to
the point of dullness. Yet 1 clearly perceive
that there is solemn duty devolving upon
those of us that have attained the heights,
to cast benign glances' upon the young lawyers
struggling in tho valley below. For at last
the young lawyer is the hope of the profession,
just as he is the despair of the trial Judge.
This evening I shall not shirk my grave
responsibility. shall "a round unvarnished
tale deliver" concretely presenting the subject
In static and dynamic aspects: and undertake
ing to impress upon the young lawyers the
lessons to be drawn from the careers of the
eminent men that adorn profession. And
this Notwithstanding l must speak largely of
myself-a part Of my practice have always
had the tcnacity and good fortune to hold.
To Be and Not to Seem.
From childhood, my favorite form Of compc>
sition has ever been autobiography. 1 despise
shams and oretences. should be what
he is, and say what he is. l do not pretend
to be a great lawyer am! Is it come to
pass, forsooth, that greatness is a mockery :?
In these untoward days. must we needs for
swear fundamental convictions? Not l.
gentlemen My position is sustained by the
highest authority in the land. Without specific
citation. I refer YOU to my edition Of
Parents Reports, for the leading upon
which 1 rely-styled. Our Boy Against The
World announcing the doctrine dear to
the young lawyer the bulwark Of his
premature renown-the elemental principle so
tenderly expressed by the hreside poet: What
ever mother says. is right.
And yet l was once young lawyer. And
today I love the young lawyer. do
myself and all that l shall say will proceed
from impulse to do him good. I am neither
lease" hardened embittered by multiplicity
Of suits. l shall be cruel only to be bright.
My sympathies are broad and deep; yet 1 can