The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-06-24
laity tell us that it is far better for
young Irishmen to remain at home.
THE LAW PROFESSION
A Lawyers Honor is His Crown, Says
Governor Harmon.


In his address at the commencement
exercises of the University of Notre
Dame, Governor Harmon of Ohio en-
phaszed the need of honesty in the
law profession and said there is no
basis for the charge that lawyer must
be lax in conscience in order to up
hold the side of a case which proves
to be the wrong side. He spoke In
part as follows:
you are to devote your lives to ap-
plying the law to the affairs of others.
You are to control conduct by advice.
You are to defend conduct as advo-
of some against the claims of others.
What is to be your code of professional
morals?
Listen to no one who suggests that
morals concern the clients only, while
you have to do with legal rights alone.
1t is true that one may do a moral
wrong by enforcing legal right, and in
such cases the lawyer does not neces-
sarily share the blame. And there is
no substance in the charge that law
yers must become lax of conscience be-
cause they sometimes uphold the side
of case which proves to be the wrong
one.
I'm most cases the truth in fact and
the justice in law are not disclosed un-
til the trial is had, the object of which
is to elicit them, and the lawyer does
his full duty before God and man who
produces all Of the proof and advances
all the considerations which support
his side when the case Is Of sufficient
doubt to require trial and when his
side might prevail without impairlng
the system of law which it is his high
est duty to maintain. But when a law
yer discovers that his client is willing
to succeed by igroble methods, or be-
comes convinced that the law Is plainly
against him, he cannot justify persist
ence in maintaining his clients cause
If the matter cannot be compromised,
his plain duty is to withdraw.
"A lawyers honor is his crown, and
no hand but his own can ever dis
crown him. To the judges, to his
brethren, to his clients, to his adver-
saries, he must keep his name from the
slightest suspicion of unfairness or
tolerance of wrong.
"Reversals of judgments for mere
technical errors tend to discredit the
laws. The object in view should al
ways be substantial justice. And have
just approved with pleasure law of
such errors when 1t is found that the
result reached at the trial was right on
the merits of the case. Otherwise
rules intended to aid the administra-
ton of justice obstruct it instead, and
the practice of law becomes a mere
game.
THE chief source Of Danger to the
profession in these days is the desire
for wealth, which, first spreading else
where with amazing speed, has not left
lawyers untouched. It's results are de-
plorable enough in other quarters, but
work with more deadly effect among
those who stand guard in the Temple
of Justice. Truth does not change
with the ages, and Solomon's declara-
lion stands good today. "They that
make haste to be rich shall not be In
nocent."
Il have no patience with those who
affect to despise wealth. Honorably
gained it should be joy to any one:
and every lawyer looks to the practice
Of his profession to support himself
and those who depend on him as we'll
as for q competence in his old age,
and great success may bring even
more. But while the accumulation of
wealth Is the prime object in other
pursuits and the extent of it the usual
measure of success, 1t is not so with
the lawyer. Eminence is not gained or
measured for him by the mere abund-
ance Of his possessions. He Is to ex-
eel in mind and character by learning
wisdom, love of justice, fidelity and
moral courage. And he may be GER
tain If he fulfill this mission all else
in sufficient measure will be added un-
to him. Let me warn you now that If
your chief desire be wealth you are on
the wrong road, if you wish also to
rank among the first lawyers of your
day. Some lucky chance may bring
you riches as we'll as just legal fame,
but 1t is too remote to count on. You
will be more likely to find your growth
as lawyer checked, II not your stand
ing compromised, by the desire for
mere gain.
LEGAL DIRECTORY.