DEPARTMENT OF CONCLUSIONARY SLOGANS |
| DIRECTOR Ursus Tar |
ABOUT
But among our thoughts the question will arise, To what end have we been spending this long period in searching out and studying the principles of the law ? You have not come here merely to pass
•away quietly and pleasantly your leisure time, nor have you labored here only to acquire same useful information. Why then have you given your diligent attention so long and so carefully ?
It is because you are to go forth to serve and defend the public, as ministers of the law. Your duty will be to aid in preserving society in peace and order; to protect the weak and helpless against the strong; to enforce to your utmost the rules of right and justice; to r3dress private wrongs and public wrongs. The community will look to you for counsel and guidance, as interpreters of the law which governs them, and which they may justly expect you will be able to explain. For this reason I shill call your attention to some dangers which ought to be guarded against. You will soon be sworn to obey and defend the laws, and it will be your duty to use all your influence and all your efforts, to preserve society from the terrible evils which must always follow, when it is overthrown or disregarded. If the sentinels fail, what will become of the army ?
What is this law ?
It is " the golden chain which binds the universe to the throne of God;" which binds together in one common bond all civilized nations, making of one blood all the kingdoms of the earth ; which binds together governments, and states, and all communities, and parents and children, by one sacred bond of protection and obedience. By this is bound together all human society, whereby man is raised from the brutal state of a solitary savage, and made ta yield that base liberty to obtain the advantages of knowledge and civilization. In entering that higher sphere he gives up to the community all those powers and prerogatives which are needed to make it efficient for all good purposes. It is not his right now to assert and follow his own unbridled will, to enforce by his own act the claims he may think are justly his, or avenge by his own hand his private grievances. But his welfare is entrusted to a stronger power, able by the weight of numbers to protect him far more efficiently, while it compels him, with all its members, to obey what it ordains for the common good.