SOME MODERN TENDENCIES delay 'between the institution of proceedings and the trial has been considerably reduced. This has been effected by the co-operation of Bench and Bar in a sincere desire to remove the reproach that has so long been cast upon the law and its administration. The existence all over this continent of Bar associations such as this is one of the most hopeful signs of the times. Their great influence in the removal of abuses and the introduction of reforms cannot be over estimated. In so far as I haye been able to peruse their proceedings it has appeared to me that they have discussed and are discussing the questions arising, in no narrow selfish spirit, merely to advance the peculiar interests of the profession, but in a broad spirit of statesmanship, to advance the interests of the people and the nation. In a period when industrial conditions are such that important questions must continu ally arise touching the relations of capital and labour, of producer and consumer; when the voice of the demagogue is pro claiming class antagonism; when interests that should meet in a spirit of conciliation and work together harmoniously for the country's progress are too often ranged one against another in conflict and bitterness; when the law is looked to as the one and only remedy for all social and economic ills and the Legislatures are besieged with demands for the passing of this law and that, how great the importance of such associations as these of scholarly and enlightened men, who know how laws work, •who are independent of popular election and of party control, who can, discuss every measure freely and thoroughly, and exert upon public opinion and upon parliaments the great influence which untrammelled thought and learning and experience are entitled to exercise. I may be too sanguine, but I hope for much from this influence. The Bar in the past has neither cringed before moneyed interests nor been overborne by popular clamor. Is it too much to hope that it may do something towards solving
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those questions of increasing difficulty and increasing urgency — how to conserve the national energy that is wasted in class friction and how to co-ordinate the interests of classes and masses, not upon the mere shifting assumption of convenience, but upon the more enduring principles of justice and humanity. The new year is with us, and the new era is coming. We all believe in Carlyle's stalwart optimism. The false and the base may flourish for a time,' but the true and the kind are eternal. We may depend upon it, things will right them selves ere long. It may be per aspera ad astra, but the way will be smoother in proportion as disinterested wisdom is de voted to removing the obstacles. The Bar Associations of America have already accom plished great things for law reform in many directions and even for the world's peace by their propaganda of international arbi tration, and I doubt not they will be a potent factor in adjusting the law to the complexities of modern conditions and in preparing for the new era of greater possi bilities and still wider freedom that the New Year bells, of which we heard so lately, are ready to chime in: "Ring out the feud of rich and poor Ring in redress to all mankind. Ring out a slowly dying cause And ancient forms of party strife, Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws. Ring out the want, the care, the sin, The faithless coldness of the times, Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes, But ring the fuller minstrel in. Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite, Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old forms of foul disease, Ring out the narrowing lust of gold, Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace. Ring in the valiant man and free The larger heart, the kindlier hand, Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be."
