Year: 1873




not displeased, to notice, some time
since, the announcement of the fact that
Hon. J. P. Benjamin, late Of this coun-
try, had, at the instance of the Lord
Chancellor of England, been raised to
the rank of Queens Counsel, the leader
of the English bar.


The London Standard alludes to the
fact in the following complimentary
strain


We trust there are none of Mr.. Benja-
MINIS former co-patriots and competl-
tors in the courts of the United States
who will not rejoice to hear that their
courade has achieved success in his new
career, and is once more restored 10 a
position not unworthy OF his talents and
industry, however far below that which
he might have held, and did once hold,
in his native land. Benjamin is nowan
old man, but as an English barrister he
is probably the Youngest that ever ap-
peared in silk gown. Twenty years
ago, at the age OF forty, he was among
the foremost pleaders Of the United
States, and represented Louisiana in the
Federal Senate Ten years ago he had
resigned that position on the secession
of his State, and was first Secretary Of
War and then Secretary of State in the
government Of the ill-fated Confederacy.
In the former post it was his misfortune
to be officially responsible for evils and
disasters which no resources at his com
mand could avert-to have, under the
supreme direction Of chief, whose spe
cial aptitude and experience were those
of war minister, to maintain without
money, without shls without artillery,
with scanty supplies Of arms and ammu-
ton, and very inadequate numbers,
lite and death struggle against the over
whelming power Of the North. His vim
dication lies in the fact that it took four
years to crush the Confederate States.
As Secretary of State ard director Of
the foreign policy of the government,
he was cUntessedly as successful as the
circumstance permitted. In 1868 the
fall of Richmond sent the Confederate
Government into Punishment, and the
capture of the President finally diSsolv-
ed it, Mr. Benjamin was fortunate TO
escape into exile-a ruined man, great
LAWYER man of fortune and position in
his native land, late first minister Of ar
incipient commonwealth, he had to be
gin life again at the age Of filty-tiye, in
foreign country, and without any of
the advantages of fortune, interest or
connection which he had won III the
course of long and laborious career
Most men would have fallen into des-
pair and apathy, finding their own for
tunes and the hopes Of their country
ruined by the same blow, and compelled
at so all advanced age to start again
with all the difficulties of youth, but
without the strength and spirits Of youth
10 conquer them. Not few would have
been simply stunned at the depth Of the
fall The late first minister of his cOun-
try recommended life as law STUDENT
the leading lawyer began again to learn
the laws of another country. He was
called to the bar after years study-a
becoming and rightful concession to his
years and learning, but one which, as
Mr.. Benjamin would be the first to ac
knowledge, scarcely any bar but that of
England would have made i'll favor OF
the foreigner and an exile. Still the for
mer leader had to take rank as the .juni
or of juniors; and III that position it Is
very difficult for a barrister to obtain
incurative or important business, seeing
that the etiquette Of the bar places the
lead in every case in the hands Of the
senior counsel engaged, and that the .ju-
nior's work is at once the least dlstln-
euished, the worst paid, and the fullest
OF mere drudgery. Mr. Benjamin had
but this one incidental advantage, that
the close of the war had entai!ed certain
suits between the United States Govern
ment and the agents Of the Contederacy
in Europe, and in some Of these he was
retained by the latter, and the conduct
of the cause left in his hands. Such a
man needed only an opportunity of pro-
wing his quality. Mr.. Benjamin forced
solicitors to recognize him as one of the
best lawyers at the common law bar; his
professional brethren treated him with
generous respect and consideration, and
within six years from his admission to
the bar. he has achieved position Of
which the rank now bestowed is but the
formal sanction and acknowledgment
Nevertheless, we give Lord Halfway
credit for just and graceful act, as we
give credit to the bar for their prompt
decision to call Mr.. Benjamin after a
years study, waving all technical rules
and usages in his favor. He had such
fare as good will and courtesy would
give stranger, and nothing more. The
victory be has achieved is due to no ia
vor or interest, bnt purely and simply
TO his unquestionable superiority rs an
Englith lawyer. after but seven years
spent in England.


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