The absolute justice of the State, enlightened by the perfect reason of the State.  That is law - Choate

     THE object of the law is to secure for us life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness - to measure, to define and protect our rights and afford redress for wrongs.  It reaches and pervades every part of our social organization.  It is over us, and around us, and its silent power is felt by all.  Living, it protects us, and dying, it settles and distributes our estate.  It recognizes no distinction among men; whether high or low, rich or poor, obscure or famous, all are alike amenable to its provisions and bound to obey it.
     The present perfection of the law was not accomplished in a day or years.  It is the combined wisdom of the ages.  It is said to be "the perfection of human reason," and has been handed down to us by lawyers and judges of the long past.
     Our legislation, National and State, is but the embodiment of the experience and the result of the work of our profession for centuries.  It has been fashioned and moulded by them from time to time, as the changed circumstances of nations and society demanded, to accomplish the great purpose of Justice and Right among men.
     A government controlled by it is the highest form of civil liberty.  Obedience to law constitutes the highest characteristic of civilization.  Law and liberty are inseparable, and the enforcement of law is the surest guaranty of freedom.  If it were not for this majesty of the law human society could not exist.  It would soon relapse into stages of barbarism and brutal oppression.
     Intimately connected with the law, stands the legal profession, as its ministers.
     In the ages of the world in which might constituted the measure of right; when controversies were determined by wager of battle,, lawyers were not much needed.
     It is interesting to trace in the history of the world, and observe as civilization advances, and law and order were taught among men - when rude barbarism gave way to farmers, artisans and merchants when the Arts and Science and Commerce were encouraged and protected among the people, the legal profession soon became a necessity.  Now, they have become so intimately associated with every department of business, in every part of our civil and social polity, that society cannot well get along without them.  Indeed it is not too strong to say, that order cannot be preserved, right cannot be vindicated, justice administered, and I might say, government maintained without them.
     In every age of the world's history, the lawyers have been the defenders of civil liberty against tyranny and oppression.
     All the reforms for freedom and equality, have been carried forward by them as leaders.  It has ever been their mission to promote and maintain right and justice among men.  No higher object in human life than this can animate the patriot and philanthropist.

MORE TO COME........................

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* Extract from an address delivered by Hon. Martin Welker, of Wooster, retired U. S. Judge, before the Ohio Bar Association, at Put-in-Bay, July 17, 1895.

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