The Lawyer's Livelihood
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this particular the bar has failed to which never tires of hearing that "cor realize its high opportunity or to dis porations have no souls." This dictum of Lord Chief Justice charge its duty is an opinion that pre Coke may be modified effectually by vails very generally, and with consider future Pygmalions of corporate creation, able justification. But from this birth who shall impart to the work of their day of our Code of Ethics we may start hands not only the right to perpetual afresh, and for our profession, and for existence, but some other attributes of the corporations advised by us, seek the human soul. This, of course, can high and permanent place in the public be accomplished only by a system of confidence. The question recently asked, "Shall the people rule?" according to soul transference to corporate trans the opinion of some of us, has been actions from corporate managers having souls to transfer. The privilege and answered in the affirmative. Let the like answer be given to the question, the opportunity of lawyers advising cor porations and combinations, and their "Shall the lawyers lead?" If we are to lead, it must be because creators and managers, is to aid in the process of developing a managerial soul, of the character of our leadership, and and of infusing it into corporate action, not because of traditional prestige. Class and thus to promote the righteousness prestige is a privilege of the past, wrested in turn from the army, from the church, that shall exalt the nation. Judge Lind say conceded as possible, though he and from the bar. Just now it may might have stated positively, that have passed to the press, which, like "Officers of corporations may be equal every predecessor class, will lose it when, as is inevitable with the possessor of in integrity, good citizenship and moral irresponsible power, it shall become selfity to the ordinary members of society." sufficient and accordingly presumptu In my observation their important ous. As was observed by Phillips actions, being generally the result of Brooks, "No dignity of office can secure conference and the subject of record, men's respect for itself continuously, are apt to be more regular and more unless it can show a worthy character nearly correct, at least in form, than those of natural persons engaged in like in those who hold it." transactions. These managers usually This is fine and it is true, but it is not desire to observe and not to transgress more certainly true as to public office the moral law and the law of the land, and the sacred office than it is in respect a desire akin to the higher qualities of our own profession, whose leadership that we attribute to the human soul. in this country is vindicated in the re This praiseworthy disposition may be newed advancement of lawyers Taft developed and stimulated by the judi and Root and Hughes. Such leader cious and helpful advice of the corpora ship of the bar, sustained by the preva tion lawyers. If in the discharge of lent character of its members, will be this conscientious duty we shall be promoted powerfully by tradition, and tactful and persistent we may help to by deserved reputation for learning. establish for our corporations a higher To this end, we may borrow from our standard of methods and morals, so Governor's noble speech his invocation that in operation they shall meet at of the "spirit of conservatism which is least the popular conception of beings essential to the maintenance of the with souls and consciences. '"That in dignity of the bar, that spirit which,at
