inence in the profession, merit the promotion to which their brethren elect them. It is not to be disputed that if legal ethics are to be maintained the judges must be clear headed, upright men and accomplished jur ists. Equally necessary is it that attorneys and counselors should be animated by a high sense of integrity. A university chan cellor, and a D.D. to boot, addressing a law graduating class, stated that he himself was a member of the Bar, but had never entered the practice of the profession because, as he said : " I feared I was not honest enough." To be a lawyer worthy the name and worthy the profession, absolute honesty is demanded. No man can be held competent to under take the varied interests of his clients who would not rather die than steal. Equally true is it that no man can be held competent to undertake the practice of the law who docs not diligently apply himself to legal study and make himself familiarly acquainted with the principles of law and of its practice in which the ethics of law are enshrined. No one can dream himself into the " glad some light of jurisprudence." It is further true that no lawyer has the right, nor is he required to sell his conscience to his client. Rascally clients may have something to do with producing rascally lawyers. Recent developments tend to indicate that there is a spirit of lawlessness in society to-day which is prepared to intimidate the officers of the law in the proper discharge of their duties. A serious condition of affairs exists when a judge receives letters every day threatening his life unless he deal leniently with a pris oner who did not stop to deal leniently with his victim. Eor a judge to fearlessly and faithfully administer the law in such a case, sterling manliness and unflinching adherence to duty are indispensable. And it should be the aim of all law-abiding citizens to support a judge in such circumstances. By so doing they protect themselves, and promote the maintenance of peaceable society, for which purpose law courts and their paraphernalia
exist. It is also clear that the pardoning power vested in the executive authority of the state and nation is liable to abuse, that sorely strains the confidence of the citizens in the guaranteed security of legal procedure. Possibly a Board or Commission of Pardons appointed in each State, to consist of eminent criminal jurists, and to hold office during good behavior, irrespectively of the political party in power, might succeed in regulating this matter. As a signal illustration of forensic suc cess coupled with an unusual high sense of honor, justice and right, the career of Abra ham Lincoln at the bar is well worthy of study. Had he never attained the unique position he did in the councils of the nation and in the hearts of the people, he would certainly have left his name on his country's roll of fame as an able lawyer. Conscien tiousness marked all his career. As a sample of this I quote one incident. A stranger called on him wishing to retain his services. " State your case," said Mr. Lincoln. The man did. Then Lincoln said : " I cannot serve you, for you are wrong and the other fellow is right." "That is none of your business if I hire you," re torted the man. "None of my business!" exclaimed Lincoln. " My business is never to defend wrong. I never take a case that is manifestly wrong." "Well, but you can make trouble for the other fellow.," added the applicant. " Yes," said Lincoln, " I can set a whole community at loggerheads. I can make trouble for this widow and her fatherless children, and thereby get you $600, which rightfully belongs as much to the woman as it does to you. But I won't do it." " Not if I pay you well? " slily sug gested the would-be client. " Not for all the money you are worth," Lincoln replied. The times have changed since Lincoln with his saddle-bags and cotton umbrella rode over the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Illi nois, but the principles of law and legal ethics are the same to-day as they were then.
