CONDITIONS AND METHODS OF LAW MAKING made as perfect as it can be. So, too, whoever realizes, as in the practice of your profession you must do, how greatly the welfare of the people depends on the clear ness, the precision, the substantial justice of the law, will gladly contribute his knowl edge and his influence to furthering so ex cellent a work. There is no nobler calling than ours, when it is pursued in a worthy spirit. Your profession has had a great share in molding the institutions of the United States. Many of the most famous presidents and ministers and leaders in Congress have been lawyers. It must always hold a leading place in such a government as yours. You possess opportunities beyond any other section of the community for forming and guiding and enlightening the community in all that appertains to legislation. Tocqueville said seventy years ago: "The profession of the law serves as a counterpoise to democracy." We should rather say that it has given democracy its legal framework, and it keeps that frame work in working order. To you, therefore, as an organized body of lawyers, one may fitly address these observations on legisla tive methods drawn from the experience of Europe. We live in critical times, when the best way of averting hasty or possibly
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even revolutionary changes is to be found in the speedy application of remedial measures. Both here and in Europe im provements in the methods of legislation will not only enable the will of the people to be more adequately expressed, but will help that will to express itself with pru dence, temperance and wisdom. What is legislation but an effort of the people to promote their common welfare? What is a Legislature but a body of men chosen to make, and supervise the working of the rules framed for that purpose? No country has ever been able to fill its legis latures with its wisest men, but every country may at least enable them to apply the best methods, and provide them with the amplest materials. The omens are favorable. Never, I think, since the close of the Civil War, has there been among the best citizens of the United States so active a public spirit, so warm and pervasive a de sire to make progress in removing all such evils as legislation can touch. Never were the best men, both in your Legislatures and in the highest executive posts, more sure of sympathy and support in their labors for the common weal. (Applause.) WASHINGTON, D. C. January, 1908.
