Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 19.pdf/618

 PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL ADDRESS

PRESIDENT'S

ANNUAL

581

ADDRESS

By Hon. Alton B. Parker LL. D. NEITHER we, nor the thousands of our predecessors or associates in the American Bar Association, during all the years of its history-, have attended its meet ings for selfish reasons. We do not seek to serve here the interests of any client, nor do we receive a fee for coming. There can be no expectation that the information acquired will aid in the cases that are to be showered upon us in the fullness of time. We know well how we shall prepare for each of those, working it out alone until it has been mastered in every detail of fact and in every proposition of law. Nor do we come for recreation. Delight ful as Portland is, hospitable as are her people, warm-hearted as is their greeting, we shall nevertheless depart, though with regret, when the session is over. We shall carry away pleasant memories, but we must meet elsewhere engagements which may be professional, or which have rest and recreation for their purpose. What ever they may be, they have been inter rupted in order to assure our presence at this meeting. Sacrifices of some kind have been made by every lawyer who attends this annual assembly. What then moves us? The answer is not far to seek. We are here because we have ideals. Each of us would elevate the standard of the profession, strengthen the Bench, make the administration of justice more simple, more rapid, more exact, not only in the state from which he comes, but in every state throughout the nation. No one of us has a workable plan which comes up to his ideals, or hopes to be able to evolve it. But as in union there is strength, so in a multitude of counsellors there is wisdom. Therefore, each year finds us coming together striving for these ideals, each willing and anxious to do his part It is well that we do so. Not all has been

accomplished that has been striven for in the past. Much has been done, however, and greater achievement will reward us in the years to come. Only from the efforts of a people to attain high ideals can true progress result. The boy at school may fix a higher standard of achievement than either health or intellect will permit him to reach, but he will grow into a better, a stronger and more useful man because of his ideals and his effort. There is no profession, trade or business, whose members as a body have higher ideals than have lawyers as a class. We cannot deny that there are many among them with no higher aim than mere moneymaking, nor can we say that there are not a considerable number who are so destitute of character as to disgrace the Bar. Un fortunately this is true. But such are the minority. The great majority are idealists who love justice, and seek it not only for clients but for society at large. They are not mere machines selecting and grinding out authorities by which. the courts are to be bound. For where a wellconsidered case can be found in which the facts are identical, the law is settled and the court has but to follow it. There is no opportunity for controversy. The dis cussions in court are, therefore, as a rule, in cases where there is no previous decision based upon precisely the same circumstances. The aim of both court and counsel is to work out justice in that special instance, and, at the same time, to establish a sound rule. To aid the court, counsel present principles which they deem pertinent, and emphasize the custom of the people relating thereto. This is vital because the foundation of our unwritten law lies in the habits and cus toms of the people. It has often and truly been said, but never so well as in the address of James C.