The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1908-07-12
Mr.. BRANTLEY'S
ABLE ADDRESS
IN LOUISVILLE
HE WAS TIE PRINCIPAL ORATOR
AT MEETING OF KENTUCKY
BANKERS
Slt Was One the Most Classic
Ever Heard in the History OF
the Association" Says Louis-
willie Courier-JournaI. .

The Louisville CCurier-Journal thus
refers to the meeting of the Kentucky
Bar Association, and the address of
Hon w. G. Brantley delivered before
that body last Wednesday:
The eighth annual meeting of the
Kentucky State Bar Association con-
Nened in the joint session room Cf the
Jefferson county court house yester-
day morning at 10 o'clock with more
than 200 representative lawyers Of
the state in attendance. This num-
ber will be augmented largely today
by the arrival of many members who
were unable to reach Louisville yes
terday.
Many important matters will be dis
cussed before the convention this
year, and several of the best-trained
members of the legal profession in
the state are down on the program for
speeches during the session of three
days. The feature of the session Of
the first day was an address by the
Hon William G. Brantley, representa-
tive from Georgia, and his address,
which was delivered last night, was
regarded by those fortunate enough to
hear it as one Of the most classic ever
heard in the history of the association.
Congressman Brantley chose as his
subject "Some Thoughts on the Sher-
man Antitrust Law and when he
had finished he was given round after
round of applause, and on motion OF
one of the delegates just before ad-
journment he was voted a rising vote
of thanks for his presence and for the
address.
Before touching upon the Sherman
antitrust law Representative Brant
ley indulgad in a preliminary dis
cussion of the duties of lawyer, the
evil Of selfshness and the encroach-
ment of federal power upon state
powe. He said in part:
Some years ago a Georgia State
Senator-a farmer, a gentleman Of
the old southern school, and man
well advanced in years-said TO me
at the close of his first legislative
experience;
4 have heard all my life that law
years are uncertain and not to be
relied upon in lawmaking, as their
opinions in the practice of law are al
ways colored by their fees, but my
experience as a legislator has salts
fed me that the lawyers in our body
are our best legislators, for they seem
to be the only disinterested ones. /
notice that those of our body who are
members of other professions or call
ings seem only concerned or at least
primarily concerned, to enact laws,
each in the interest of his own pro-
fession or calling, while the lawyers
have impressed me as having no such
interest and as being concerned only
that the laws passed should be wise
and Just laws, and properly and cor
rectly framed
Whether or not this tribute to cur
profession as lawmakers be deserved
il ought to be. for no higher duty can
rest upon the members of the legal
profession when called upon to serve
as lawmakers, than to see to 1T that
Unlv wise and just laws are enacted,
and that in their enactment true prin-
ciples of law and of government are
not violated The duty OF the legal
profession. however, in matters of
law and of government extends be-
vond the domain of lawmaking and
reaches out into the daily walks Of
life.
In our great republic, builded upon
the rule of the people, liberty and
freedom and just government depend
upon the conception of these things
entertained by the people, and the
duty of our profession, learned in the
law and science of government, is
paramount. to see to it that a proper
conception Of these things is had. The
onportunitv for the performance Oh
this duty, in the courthouse on the
bustings. and in daily conversation, is
unlimited. 1t has long since been
agreed that lawyers are the greatest
molders of public opinion. and this
] tact intensifes the duty resting upon
them to mold public opinion Alright.
So long as the legal profession IS pa
+riotic and faithfully performs this par
amount duty resting upon it, cur re-
rubUc will endure. but longer than that
If cannot live These assertions are
not mere platitudes, born of this oc
casion and without any application to
modern times and conditions.